Spammers are a creative bunch, and they are always experimenting with new ways to dodge your latest anti spam tool and your internet security test. Their newest tactic is to set up their own URL-shortening sites as a way of avoiding protections put in place by legitimate URL-shortening sites.

This technique lets spammers mask the fact that links they send in emails ultimately lead to sites where they are selling pirated software, prescription drugs and similar items. This results in fewer spam sites getting filtered out automatically by end users, meaning more spam recipients will actually reach the websites spammers are trying to lure them to. This development is very recent, having only been detected by security firm Symantec last month. Spam filters have yet to adapt, and currently have no way of knowing the actual site is bogus so they allow the spam to reach recipients' inboxes.