I don't use yt on my phone. I was actually interested what op put behind the link. I thought it would be a rickroll, but yk, I had to click it. I know, it hurts me too, seeing other people suffer so many ads. Also this is my newest phone and I don't have the time to spend tinkering around ad free stuff.
Link shorteners and redirectors, especially new and lesser-known ones tend to get caught in the fray with things like Google Safe Browsing (which FF uses as well) and Smart Screen.
It's because the original/shortened link gets reported and not the real/destination site. Then the domain (of the shortener/redirector) gets flagged, instead of the real site.
This happened to me at work this very week, with a redirector service that's a part of our email security stack. FF and Chrome were both blocking links that were safe, because the redirector service itself was classified as sus.
I didn't have that, but I use Firefox Nightly.
And I also just found I can no-problem go to https://revoked.grc.com/ 😬
So it doesn't even check for revoked certificates (but at least Fennec does).
I know, that's why I donate or buy merch/products from creators I like.
They get more money from that than they would ever get from ad revenue, and I get a less annoying experience of what ever platform I'm using (plus minimize profit corpos make on me, that's always good).
If what ever corpo media wanted me to allow it easier profit, if sure better grow feet and give me a happy ending, otherwise it's not gonna happen.
My ISP, O₂CZ (who collaborates with an Israeli cybersecurity company to "protect" (and spy on) everyone with default DNS settings) also blocks this one
I used to run a public link shortener. Once the scammers catch wind and add it to their rotation all bets are off. I got inundated with reports and my standing with my web host would have been at risk as well (long story). I now use Shlink on those domains lol.
Infuriatingly, URL shortners are often used in QR codes because they have a character limit-ish (longer strings make for more detailed QR codes, which are harder to scan from further away so it's a trade-off). but if the QR points to a shortened link then it's more difficult to assess where a QR code is pointing without blindly following the link.
My biggest bugbear relating to this is the lack of a short text alternative for QR codes, especially with long URLs.
If the URL is too long to fit into a QR code, then it's also too long for me to type in manually!
That's a very good idea.
Beside the number of permutations it gives, another benefit of using three words is they could form the border of the QR code, with the fourth side being the domain name
I think sometimes it gives people analytics on how many people click the link when the link is to something they themselves don't control. But I'm not entirely sure if that's a common service shorteners offer.
They also sometimes give you the ability to change what the link points to which is great if you send out a link only to realise it went to the wrong place after the fact.
I gotta stop trying these out. The other day something to the tune of hot-singles.xxx autofilled in my phone browser the other day and I was so confused.
Yeah I get the idea in that sense. It's just that you are putting a lot of trust in the source. But I guess that's the same with qr codes but at least you get to see the destination in your camera view.
99 Comments
bizarroland@lemmy.world · 141 pts · 219d
https://apple.ic6do.com/z7bhOl_hot_singles.pdf
cm0002@infosec.pub · 102 pts · 219d
listen here, you little shit
bizarroland@lemmy.world · 54 pts · 219d
Cm0002:
waltzes into chat about deceptive links
clicks a deceptive link
realizes they have been deceived
Cm0002: "No, it is the person who posted the deceptive link who is wrong".
cm0002@infosec.pub · 16 pts · 219d
Lmao, it's less about the deception and more about where it led to 😂
bizarroland@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 219d
Its all good. I'm glad it came across as good natured ribbing, lol.
lukalix98@programming.dev · 34 pts · 219d
Jokes on you I saw the ad first.
Geometrinen_Gepardi@sopuli.xyz · 24 pts · 219d
3/4 of screen space filled with ads, how do you live like this?
lukalix98@programming.dev · 4 pts · 218d
I don't use yt on my phone. I was actually interested what op put behind the link. I thought it would be a rickroll, but yk, I had to click it. I know, it hurts me too, seeing other people suffer so many ads. Also this is my newest phone and I don't have the time to spend tinkering around ad free stuff.
ElectricWaterfall@lemmy.zip · 3 pts · 218d
Don’t have time, but have time to click suspicious links in case it’s a Rick roll?
lukalix98@programming.dev · 1 pts · 217d
Fair point.
fushuan@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 10 pts · 218d
Once you see the XcQ it's too late.
_g_be@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 218d
It's true. If you recognize the URL enough to avoid it, then you've been rickrolled without even clicking it. Wirelessly brain rickrolled
gwl@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 3 pts · 218d
You don't have an adblocker? Wild
lukalix98@programming.dev · 1 pts · 217d
For a youtube app? Or did you mean on the network level? Because I've yet to tinker with the latter..
gwl@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 1 pts · 217d
Yeah the latter
mogranja@lemmy.eco.br · 6 pts · 218d
Exactly what I expected. Thanks for not letting me down.
nieceandtows@programming.dev · 93 pts · 219d
Looks like it got too creepy for its own good.
JasonDJ@lemmy.zip · 39 pts · 219d
Link shorteners and redirectors, especially new and lesser-known ones tend to get caught in the fray with things like Google Safe Browsing (which FF uses as well) and Smart Screen.
It's because the original/shortened link gets reported and not the real/destination site. Then the domain (of the shortener/redirector) gets flagged, instead of the real site.
This happened to me at work this very week, with a redirector service that's a part of our email security stack. FF and Chrome were both blocking links that were safe, because the redirector service itself was classified as sus.
user224@lemmy.sdf.org · 6 pts · 219d
Firefox on Android doesn't even have the "ignore" option :(
myserverisdown@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 219d
Pretty sure its under a more info dropdown
user224@lemmy.sdf.org · 1 pts · 218d
I didn't have that, but I use Firefox Nightly.
And I also just found I can no-problem go to https://revoked.grc.com/ 😬
So it doesn't even check for revoked certificates (but at least Fennec does).
sik0fewl@piefed.ca · 74 pts · 219d
Based on these ads, I do not trust the site anyway.
Love the concept, though.
wischi@programming.dev · 81 pts · 219d
Ad for an ad-blocker. Genius 🤣
bitjunkie@lemmy.world · 45 pts · 219d
Probably the only ad ever to hit exactly and only the correct target demographic.
Scubus@sh.itjust.works · 7 pts · 219d
Doubtful. If you still have ads in 2026 you never valued your own time, software, or consent anyways.
Tja@programming.dev · -8 pts · 219d
Or maybe you like supporting creators and in general pay people for their goods and services.
Ghoelian@piefed.social · 4 pts · 219d
I'll just buy their products or use affiliate links or whatever. I'm not paying with my privacy or security for anyone.
Tja@programming.dev · 1 pts · 218d
That's also a possibility, for sure. But it's a tiny minority of people who do that.
Fifrok@discuss.tchncs.de · -1 pts · 218d
I support creators I like, ad revenue goes mostly to corpo and not them so I block ads, simple
Tja@programming.dev · 1 pts · 218d
Depending on the site, TikTok takes like 80% while YouTube take less than 50%.
Fifrok@discuss.tchncs.de · 1 pts · 218d
I know, that's why I donate or buy merch/products from creators I like.
They get more money from that than they would ever get from ad revenue, and I get a less annoying experience of what ever platform I'm using (plus minimize profit corpos make on me, that's always good).
If what ever corpo media wanted me to allow it easier profit, if sure better grow feet and give me a happy ending, otherwise it's not gonna happen.
sik0fewl@piefed.ca · 10 pts · 219d
I wonder if it would be effective at blocking its own ads… 🤔
bonn2@lemmy.zip · 5 pts · 219d
For a fee, probably
gwl@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 3 pts · 218d
This is just a straight-up better version of what OP linked: https://phishyurl.com/
boydster@sh.itjust.works · 61 pts · 219d
CreepyLink to CreepyLink: https://web-safe.link/root_EXyoFH_claim_gift_card.mp4
imetators@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 4 pts · 218d
Thunder app tries to load mp4 💀
lemmydividebyzero@reddthat.com · 56 pts · 219d
In Germany, we have https://fckaf.de/
luciferofastora@feddit.org · 15 pts · 219d
Of course it would be them. Love it. Thanks for the link!
Chaser@lemmy.zip · 5 pts · 218d
Lol, they're even offering emails? Thanks for sharing!
ArfArfWoof@europe.pub · 53 pts · 219d
alive internet theory
Illogicalbit@lemmy.world · 43 pts · 219d
A similar one here: https://phishyurl.com/
luciferofastora@feddit.org · 45 pts · 219d
https://cheap-bitcoin.online/var/lib/docker/volumes/interface/etc/dbus-1/system.d/index/etc/NetworkManager/conf.d/asynchronous/opt/google/earth/pro/linker/malicious_loader.zip?cookievalue=tamper&firewall=spoof&headerfield=inject&id=5c59c69527246a7c&origin=redirect&payload=%28function%28%29%7B+return+%27abc%27.length%3B+%7D%29%28%29%3B&portscan=flood&query=inject&redirect=phish&script=overwrite
Holy shit, they're not messing around, and that's with the "Normal" setting
Also love the alleged directory structure
Chaser@lemmy.zip · 22 pts · 218d
Absolutely scary 😬 But link "shortener" may be the wrong name in this case
luciferofastora@feddit.org · 19 pts · 218d
I don't think it purports to be a shortener, just a susener
gwl@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 1 pts · 218d
This is just straight-up a better version of what OP linked
shininghero@pawb.social · 39 pts · 219d
Pfft, I got one with TODO_Obfuscate_URL. I wish I saved it.
boonhet@sopuli.xyz · 16 pts · 219d
https://adobe.c1ic.link/TODO_obfuscate_url_FmtzTw_ip_grab.xlsm
Have one on me
cheesybuddha@lemmy.world · 35 pts · 219d
I totally believe this works, but there's no way I'm clicking on any of those links
DarrinBrunner@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 218d
I expect most of them are Rickrolls.
Kolanaki@pawb.social · 23 pts · 219d
Aaaaaand shady link:
https://www.nordvpn.com/BigMoney
nomy@lemmy.zip · 8 pts · 219d
A fellow student!
Turret3857@infosec.pub · 7 pts · 219d
Hupf@feddit.org · 21 pts · 218d
https://xkcd.com/1247/
pineapplelover@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 19 pts · 219d
https://secure.c1ic.link/campaign_SkK3C5_click_me.dll
REDACTED@infosec.pub · 29 pts · 219d
Firefox is not playing around
ChaoticNeutralCzech@feddit.org · 4 pts · 219d
My ISP, O₂CZ (who collaborates with an Israeli cybersecurity company to "protect" (and spy on) everyone with default DNS settings) also blocks this one
serenissi@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 219d
this got me rickrolled (after so long)
altphoto@lemmy.today · 16 pts · 219d
Here's the link to this very post: https://update.ic6do.com/PFUTPY_secure_login_page.scr
SayJess@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 12 pts · 219d
https://adobe.c1ic.link/urgent_sgvYMY_hot_singles.jar
riwo@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 12 pts · 219d
it would be quite something, if the links actually went to/through malicious sites...
voytrekk@sopuli.xyz · 20 pts · 219d
It's why they have a report feature. No idea how well they moderate things tho.
Site seems best for gags with friends.
Zikeji@programming.dev · 4 pts · 219d
I used to run a public link shortener. Once the scammers catch wind and add it to their rotation all bets are off. I got inundated with reports and my standing with my web host would have been at risk as well (long story). I now use Shlink on those domains lol.
Tja@programming.dev · 2 pts · 219d
Maybe 1 of a thousand redirects actually does go to a malicious site.
sidebro@lemmy.zip · 11 pts · 219d
This is so funny and useless, I love it
JackbyDev@programming.dev · 10 pts · 219d
https://login.c1ic.link/6I0jqz_salary_report.msi
DylanMc6@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 10 pts · 219d
Here's my creepy link: https://verify.ic6do.com/Y8kl04_system_optimizer
Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works · 10 pts · 219d
https://login.ic6do.com/Cvn6qa_video_player_update.pl
Definitely would not normally click
drkt_@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 8 pts · 218d
What even is the point of URL shorteners? I always understood it as a Twitter thing, but I see them more outside of Twitter.
Electricd@lemmybefree.net · 23 pts · 218d
When sharing links with people in places where there’s a character limit or to avoid polluting visuals.
Also, when sharing like orally or showing it to someone else when you have no other way to communicate it: ex, the link of a shared cloud file
_g_be@lemmy.world · 11 pts · 218d
Infuriatingly, URL shortners are often used in QR codes because they have a character limit-ish (longer strings make for more detailed QR codes, which are harder to scan from further away so it's a trade-off). but if the QR points to a shortened link then it's more difficult to assess where a QR code is pointing without blindly following the link.
2910000@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 218d
My biggest bugbear relating to this is the lack of a short text alternative for QR codes, especially with long URLs.
If the URL is too long to fit into a QR code, then it's also too long for me to type in manually!
_g_be@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 218d
I think I like an alternative that uses full words instead of a string of no sense symbols and mixed case letters.
Something like what What 3 Words does but for short URLs. That would be easy to convey and type
2910000@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 218d
That's a very good idea.
Beside the number of permutations it gives, another benefit of using three words is they could form the border of the QR code, with the fourth side being the domain name
_g_be@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 218d
Yessss
Electricd@lemmybefree.net · 1 pts · 217d
eh, you can have pretty long strings already in QR code as compared to normal, just like WiFi passwords for example
JackbyDev@programming.dev · 13 pts · 218d
I think sometimes it gives people analytics on how many people click the link when the link is to something they themselves don't control. But I'm not entirely sure if that's a common service shorteners offer.
conorab@lemmy.conorab.com · 6 pts · 218d
They also sometimes give you the ability to change what the link points to which is great if you send out a link only to realise it went to the wrong place after the fact.
eru@mouse.chitanda.moe · 6 pts · 218d
aesthetics
gwl@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 6 pts · 218d
Easier to type when used on posters and other media where you can't simply copypaste
2910000@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 218d
I find it handy for writing down a URL on paper
DarrinBrunner@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 218d
Okay, grandpa.
JK
2910000@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 218d
Paper may be old-fashioned but I need something light for the carrier pigeon
0x0@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 217d
I've heard papyrus is a great medium.
Jokes aside, hand-writing and reading actually helps out the brain.
0x0@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 217d
Easier to memorize/type, that's about it.
Replaced by (unsafer) QR codes as of late and can still hide analytics.
SethTaylor@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 218d
Congratulations! You've won an iPhone! Click our secure link to claim your prize! We promise this is not a Rip Off!
https://secure.ic6do.com/tRn4TI_ip_grab
EDIT: Please do click the link so my joke can land
EDIT 2: Sorry I'm too much of a wimp to even happy-prank people
Sturgist@lemmy.ca · 5 pts · 218d
I tried buddy 😔
Grainne@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 4 pts · 218d
We killed it!
Sturgist@lemmy.ca · 5 pts · 218d
Lemmy hug of death
SethTaylor@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 218d
I guess there's a pretty short lifespan on these links haha
Well, here it is https://youtu.be/Gu_hxO9iDi8
Sturgist@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 217d
❤️
angband@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 219d
https://wellsfargo.ic6do.com/JeUQba_hot_singles.exe
FosterMolasses@leminal.space · 3 pts · 218d
Christ. This reads like something that will keylog, steal my identity, and trojan my device all at once, bwahahahaha
BootLoop@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 219d
I gotta stop trying these out. The other day something to the tune of hot-singles.xxx autofilled in my phone browser the other day and I was so confused.
AmidFuror@fedia.io · 2 pts · 219d
You only bang married couples or what?
BootLoop@sh.itjust.works · 6 pts · 219d
Well, my wife and I are a married couple, so, yes?
Tja@programming.dev · 4 pts · 219d
Technically correct, the best kind of correct!
Viking_Hippie@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 219d
kazerniel@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 218d
alamgirr@programming.dev · 1 pts · 218d
This looks like an awesome project idea to steal
PokerChips@programming.dev · -2 pts · 219d
Yeah, I've never understood the URL shortener idea. It's like a box of chocolates. You just never know what you're going to fudge into next.
wunami@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 219d
One benefit/reason is to make it easier to manually type in the URL. Like if it's printed on an ad or poster or something.
Not a significant benefit anymore especially with QR codes.
PokerChips@programming.dev · 2 pts · 219d
Yeah I get the idea in that sense. It's just that you are putting a lot of trust in the source. But I guess that's the same with qr codes but at least you get to see the destination in your camera view.