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tripkill201
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 Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 12:41 pm Post subject: Has anyone found a way around TinyURL's URL hiding? |
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I don't trust a lot of the links I see on the web, especially the ones from TinyURL. Has you already know, many phishers use a classic bait and switch technique to lure people with TinyURL. They use TinyURL to hide the true URL, and then when someone clicks on the link, it redirects them to a fake login page, normally hosted on a free web hosting site like FreeWebs or Tripod. Possible malware is also installed with these fake links, such as a keylogger or Trojan. I get this a lot on forums, and to be honest it gets on my last nerve.
Anyways, I've come to ask, has anyone found a way around URL hiding from TinyURL?
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suzi
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| Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 12:43 pm Post subject: |
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I'm wary of those also. I haven't found a way around it, but unless it comes from a trusted source, someome I know, I usually won't click on it.
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blender
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| Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:54 pm Post subject: |
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Hi,
Looking at your avatar I would guess you use FireFox...
http://tinyurl.com/preview.php
If you enable the preview feature (needs cookies enabled) it will take you to preview page that shows entire URL first.
Either proceed to site or close window/tab.
Bad thing is you still dunno wether or not to trust the site unless it is something that looks familliar or something you expect based on the info regarding URL by the poster.
Works in IE as well.
Example: (enable preview feature first)
http://tinyurl.com/3bkhpn
(that will open up to this thread)
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tripkill201
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| Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 1:36 pm Post subject: |
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| blender wrote: |
Hi,
Looking at your avatar I would guess you use FireFox...
http://tinyurl.com/preview.php
If you enable the preview feature (needs cookies enabled) it will take you to preview page that shows entire URL first.
Either proceed to site or close window/tab.
Bad thing is you still dunno wether or not to trust the site unless it is something that looks familliar or something you expect based on the info regarding URL by the poster.
Works in IE as well.
Example: (enable preview feature first)
http://tinyurl.com/3bkhpn
(that will open up to this thread) |
Thanks. That'll be some extra security in case I accidentally click one of those spammed TinyURL links.
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blender
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| Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:19 pm Post subject: |
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No prob.
I won't click those links either without that "second chance" to back off.
Check settings though after a Firefox/OS update. I don't know if update will affect those settings.
And... if ya dump your cookies you will have to reset it.
Best part is it is both FF & IE friendly.
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MysteryFCM
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| Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:31 pm Post subject: |
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Just an FYI, I also run an alternative to TinyURL ...... that has a preview feature (cannot be disabled, and doesn't hide the URL you're going to be taken to)
Site is called sURL ....... don't wanna appear to be plugging so won't post the URL
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blender
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| Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:00 am Post subject: |
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Nice!
http://surl.co.uk/?6594
I Like that -- no having to remember to keep preview settings turned on.
Works for both IE and FF.
I think multiple alternatives are good so I'll post it
http://surl.co.uk/make.asp
I often forget about that vURL as well for looking at those that one still don't know.
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MysteryFCM
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| Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:25 am Post subject: |
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Thanks
Strangely, I sent TinyURL an e-mail prior to and after, creating sURL to ask if they would turn on previewing by default (something all short URL providers should do IMHO) for their service, but never heard back.
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tripkill201
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| Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:54 pm Post subject: |
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| MysteryFCM wrote: |
Thanks
Strangely, I sent TinyURL an e-mail prior to and after, creating sURL to ask if they would turn on previewing by default (something all short URL providers should do IMHO) for their service, but never heard back. |
Found a problem with previewing: It breaks image URL's, which is what a lot of forum users tend to do for their signature images. 
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MysteryFCM
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| Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:57 pm Post subject: |
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Compared with the risks of not having preview on, I'd say thats a pretty small trade-off.
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tripkill201
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| Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 2:40 pm Post subject: |
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| MysteryFCM wrote: |
| Compared with the risks of not having preview on, I'd say thats a pretty small trade-off. |
Yeah, you're right.
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MysteryFCM
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