Short URL systems bypassing Spam filters

Ventura Fri Jun 03, 2011 2:16 pm

Hackers are now creating their own URL shortening services to mask malware/spammy sites with their shortened URL. The shortened URL makes it harder for the spam filter to determine whether the email with the included shortened URL is spam. As of now, most of the spammy shortened URLs are .ru domains.

"With legitimate URL-shortening services attempting to tackle abuse more seriously, spammers seem to be experimenting with ways to establish their own services to better avoid disruption," said Paul Wood, MessageLabs Intelligence senior analyst. "However, as long as new URL-shortening services are being created, we expect spammers to continue abusing them."

Link included below for full article.

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/228568/spammers_create_short_url_systems_to_beat_security.html