If you are using Twitter or any services a-like, 99% of the links/URLs are shortened using URL shortener service like Bit.ly and TinyURL. The good thing is, the tweets (or whatever you call it) can have more words and characters. But, do you have any idea what is the real URL behind the shortened URL or where it links to?

The answer is NO… well unless you can decrypt the links using your mighty brain (who knows). These short URLs simply redirect you to the real websites or pages after you have clicked on it. What if those websites or pages contain a full blown ads? or worse still malware, trojan or other stupid silly things that might harm your computer?

The Solution

Luckily, there is a hack for this. There is this service called LongURLPlease that automagically lengthens short URLs so that you don’t have to. LongURLPlease comes with a Firefox plugin, bookmarklet (for non Firefox browsers) and API for apps. See it in action below:

Without using LongURLPlease

Using LongURLPlease

As of posting, LongURLPlease supports a whopping 73 URL shortener services like Bit.ly, short.to, ff.im and many others.

A must have plugin or bookmarklet for all so you can enjoy clicking trustable links and avoid wacky ones.