Cybercriminals often take advantage of generic short url  links to mask malicious sites. If your audience is tricked by a malicious link that looks like yours, your reputation suffers. Using a branded shortener gives you control—your audience knows to trust links from your domain. Combine this with HTTPS enforcement, link scanning for suspicious destinations, and routine audits of your link portfolio. Educate customers about what legitimate short links from your brand look like. Some companies even publish official guidance on their websites so users can double-check links. Example: A financial services firm noticed a rise in phishing attempts using look-alike links. After implementing branded short links and automated scanning, reports of suspicious links dropped by 40%, and customer trust improved. Step-by-step: 1) Acquire a branded domain. 2) Set up a shortener with security features. 3) Audit existing links for compliance. 4) Share clear instructions with customers on identifying real links. Summary: Active monitoring, branded links, and customer education guard your brand against abuse.