Find out where that TinyURL link is really taking you

Filed under: Internet, Security, Utilities, Web services

Find out where that TinyURL link is really taking you

by Brad Linder Dec 31st 2007

If you've spent more than a few minutes on the internet, you probably know that it's not usually a good idea to click on a link if you don't know where it takes you. The last thing you need is to visit a site that wants to install malware on your PC. Or almost as bad, a link that takes you to a site with explicit contact while you're at work, or perhaps using your mother's computer.

But popular URL-shortening services like TinyURL ask you to do exactly that: click on a link without really knowing where it will take you. Fortunately, TinyURL also offers a way to preview links before visiting them. All you have to do is visit TinyURL's preview page and click "enable previews." The service will add a cookie to your browser so that every time you click on a TinyURL link you'll first be taken to a page showing the complete URL. You can click "disable previews" to remove the cookie if you don't feel like going through a two step process every time you click on an abbreviated link in the future.

If you want to share a shortened link with others but make sure they always see the preview page, just add preview to the URL. For example, http://tinyurl.com/by8fm will take you to the Download Squad home page, while http://preview.tinyurl.com/by8fm will take you to a page letting you know that you're about to visit the Download Squad home page.

[via the How-To Geek]

Tags: abbreviation, security, tinyurl, tinyurl-preview, url

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

GoOrange said 2:53PM on 12-31-2007

Interesting, but adds another step in the process of getting to the page. I don't click on TinyURLs period. If you want me to follow a link, you had better show me exactly where it's going. Then again, I'm a bit paranoid about net security.

Ted Dykstra said 9:36AM on 1-14-2008

I like a site called http://www.qpyn.com it uses a navigator box at there web site to punch in your “pyn” numbers leading directly to the site you punched in. Due to that feature you are able to see the real url on your browser. This site has many other cool features. Check it out if you get a chance.

Adriann Buerki said 8:29AM on 2-11-2008

f you like TinyURL, you might also want to check out http://traceurl.com

TraceURL shortens any URL plus it tracks traffic to the page through the TraceURL shortened web site address, showing where the traffic originated. Count accesses and have the origin of the visitor displayed on a Google Map.

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