A massive cybercrime URL shortening service known as "Prolific Puma" has been uncovered by security researchers at Infoblox. The service has been used to deliver phishing attacks, scams, and malware for at least four years, and has registered thousands of domains in the U.S. top-level domain (usTLD) to facilitate its activities.
Prolific Puma works by shortening malicious URLs into shorter, more memorable links that are easier to click on. These shortened links are then distributed via email, social media, and other channels to unsuspecting victims. When a victim clicks on a shortened link, they are redirected to the malicious website.
Security researchers were able to track Prolific Puma's activity by analyzing DNS data. DNS is a system that translates domain names into IP addresses, which are the numerical addresses of websites and other devices on the internet. By analyzing DNS data, researchers were able to identify the thousands of domains that Prolific Puma was using to deliver its malicious links.
Prolific Puma's use of the usTLD is particularly noteworthy. The usTLD is one of the most trusted TLDs in the world, and many people do not suspect that a link with a usTLD domain could be malicious. This makes Prolific Puma's shortened links particularly effective at deceiving victims.
The discovery of Prolific Puma is a reminder of the importance of being vigilant when clicking on links, even if they come from seemingly trusted sources. It is also a reminder that cybercriminals are constantly developing new and sophisticated ways to attack their victims.
Here are some tips for staying safe from Prolific Puma and other malicious URL shortening services:
- Be wary of clicking on links in emails, social media posts, and other messages from unknown senders.
- If you are unsure whether a link is safe, hover over it with your mouse to see the full URL. If the URL looks suspicious, do not click on it.
- Use a security solution that can detect and block malicious links.
- Keep your web browser and operating system up to date with the latest security patches.
The security researchers who discovered Prolific Puma have contacted the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about the service. Both agencies are working to take down Prolific Puma's infrastructure and prevent it from being used to launch further attacks.
Prolific Puma is not the first malicious URL-shortening service to be discovered. In recent years, there have been a number of other high-profile cases of cybercriminals using URL shortening services to deliver malware and phishing attacks.
The discovery of Prolific Puma is a reminder that URL shortening services can be abused for malicious purposes. Users should be cautious when clicking on shortened links, and should take steps to protect themselves from malware and phishing attacks.
