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Old 07-20-2017, 12:30 PM   #1
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Link Safety

https://www.propublica.org/article/t...piration-dates

This link was taken from another thread and is simply being used as an example.

The question is: when a link appears in a thread (such as above) do you feel perfectly safe in clicking the link or do you in some way check it out for safety?
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Old 07-20-2017, 12:59 PM   #2
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I would never click on one without examining it first. Hovering my mouse over the link shows exactly where it will go. Some people can be fooled by well-crafted phony URLs, but the key is the address just before the first "/" symbol. Everything after that is just administrative stuff driving you around in that site.
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Old 07-20-2017, 12:59 PM   #3
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I mouse over it and inspect it. Look for shortened links, odd characters, goes someplace else than where it was indicated. If it came in an unsolicited email.

There several sites provided by the AV vendors for checking addresses. This from TrendMicro, https://global.sitesafety.trendmicro.com/result.php
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Old 07-20-2017, 01:15 PM   #4
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On this site I usually click on them without question. Thanks! Now I have another thing to think about!
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Old 07-20-2017, 01:18 PM   #5
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Depends on who is sending the link .
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"If only I had spent more time at work" ... from "Busy Man" sung by Billy Ray Cyrus
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Old 07-20-2017, 01:21 PM   #6
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Another useful tip:
If someone has used a URL shortening service, you only see a short string of seemingly random characters.
You can copy it and paste it into this site to see where it really goes:
CheckShortURL - Unshorten tiny links from hundreds of URL shortening services
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Old 07-20-2017, 01:22 PM   #7
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I don't like to open links without knowing the source and subject. This is one reason naked links are discouraged. Additionally, if there is a link that is clearly inappropriate, it is removed.
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Old 07-20-2017, 02:42 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rbmrtn View Post
I mouse over it and inspect it. Look for shortened links, odd characters, goes someplace else than where it was indicated. If it came in an unsolicited email.

There several sites provided by the AV vendors for checking addresses. This from TrendMicro, https://global.sitesafety.trendmicro.com/result.php
I took a chance and used the link that rbmrtn provided. This link appears very easy to use and seems to eliminate the need for skill and knowledge. Made me feel right at home.
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Old 07-20-2017, 04:27 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by easysurfer View Post
Depends on who is sending the link .
If one of the regulars here posts a link, I don't think twice.

Even if the link takes you to a bad guy site, only old versions of browsers likely to be subject to "drive-by" exploits; if your browser is up-to-date, you're probably fine.
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Old 07-20-2017, 04:54 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by braumeister View Post
I would never click on one without examining it first. Hovering my mouse over the link shows exactly where it will go. Some people can be fooled by well-crafted phony URLs, but the key is the address just before the first "/" symbol. Everything after that is just administrative stuff driving you around in that site.
Are you saying that hovering the mouse pops up more info? I know
on my Mac e-mails, hovering over sender usually pops up more info but
I don't see that for links.
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Old 07-20-2017, 05:21 PM   #11
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kaneohe, if you're using Safari the info should appear in the lower left corner of the window, not right over the link.
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Old 07-20-2017, 05:32 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by braumeister View Post
kaneohe, if you're using Safari the info should appear in the lower left corner of the window, not right over the link.
Ah so!! Too subtle for this old dog........using Chrome but same as you said.
Thanks! New trick for old dog today. Peripheral vision ain't up to par.
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Old 07-20-2017, 05:51 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by easysurfer View Post
Depends on who is sending the link .
Uh, should I take that personally?
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Old 07-20-2017, 05:58 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redduck View Post
Uh, should I take that personally?
Was talking in general terms .
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