Bit. ly, a URL shortening service which is highly popular among Twitter users, has joined hands with the security firm VeriSign to better combat the problem of increasing spam and malware with regards to the service. With the partnership, Bit. ly has promised to strengthen its anti-spam and malware protection.

For the purpose of tightening security, the URL shortening service will employe VeriSign's iDefense IP reputation service, which will screen against links that point to blacklisted and undesirable websites which "host exploits, malicious code, btonet command and control servers or other nefarious activity".

Websense Threatseeker's renowned cloud service will be employed to look behind the web content that the service links to in real time, and Sophos, another security firm, will play its part by providing behavioral-analysis technology designed to proactively detect spam and malware.

Bit. ly has recently seen a lot of misuse of its services, and by partnering with top three security service providers; the service is looking at eliminating the serious problem once and for all. In addition to these partnerships to ensure security, Bit.ly is also offering its users a chance to "download a preview plug-in". The service is also urging users to report any abuse at abuse@bit.ly.