How Ow.ly (Hootsuite Social Shortener) Redirection Works
Ow.ly is the default link shortening service embedded within the Hootsuite social media management platform. Threat actors who compromise social accounts often tweet phishing links shortened through ow.ly.
Our engine sends a non-executing HTTP probe to ow.ly, follows the 301 response header, and audits the final destination for phishing indicators.
Security & Phishing Risks Associated with Short Links
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Hootsuite posts use ow.ly links?
Hootsuite uses ow.ly to track click metrics and engagement across social networks like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.