Unit 42 , Palo Alto Networks ’ threat intelligence research arm , has uncovered evidence of links between attacks using two new malware families and two families of Google Android malware . This has been discovered as part of work on preventing and detecting targeted attacks in the Middle East . The attackers favour using URL shortening services to disguise Attack.Phishing the true links they are sending Attack.Phishing in spear phishing emails . A number of samples analysed were linked via the URL shortening service “ bit.ly ” . The URL shortening service then redirects users to the malicious payload hosted on attacker controlled pages . Another method favoured by the attackers was the setting up Attack.Phishing of fake news sites