Jon's Network

The Twitter boom has increased the use of URL shortening services such as TinyURL and bit.ly. These services can also be used maliciously by directing users to dangerous websites. The classic convenience/safety trade-off.

bit.ly has made their service safer because they now use Sophos to protect users against visiting webpages that may contain a malware, spam or phishing threat.

Users can also preview webpages by adding a “+” to the end of any bit.ly URL.

Press release here

UPDATE:

Here is the bit.ly announcement. They are also using Verisign’s iDefense IP reputation service and the Websense Threatseeker Cloud service.