What's really hiding behind a shortened URL? It could be a link to pictures of adorable kittens, or it could be a link to a dangerous website. The problem is you don’t know until you click. Take the mystery out of shortened URLs by using a URL expander tool that lets you read the full web address before you click.
When URL shorteners first came about, spammers used them to disguise malicious links. Now that social networks like Twitter have propelled shortened URLs into widespread use, people are more comfortable clicking through. However, there are still occasions in which you confront possibly dubious links.
Rather than debate the pros and cons of clicking (We’re guessing that ZOMG! video is never worth turning your PC into a spambot), we recommend bookmarking a URL checker to find out just where that enticing link points before you click through.
We’ve found five URL expansion services that will give you some peace-of-mind when browsing. Take a look through the gallery for our choices, and let us know in the comments about any other sites you use.
Orginal article: January 10, 2012 by Amy-Mae Elliott
http://mashable.com/2012/01/10/url-expanders/