Link Redirects
Thread Starter
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 787
Likes: 279
From: Reston, VA
Link Redirects
I'm a relatively new member and find the link redirects to be terrible. I sometimes provide a specific link to someone to help their issue, and the redirect service sends them to a different product and/or different website.
Not only is this frustrating when I'm trying to help someone, but the link redirect service is a great way for cyber criminals to hijack legitimate links and redirect them either to their own malicious website or to install unwanted applications (including malware)
In 2021, I don't see why the forum uses redirect.viglink.com anymore. It's both annoying and a security vulnerability to every member on the forum. Any link could be a threat when you don't know where it leads.
Not only is this frustrating when I'm trying to help someone, but the link redirect service is a great way for cyber criminals to hijack legitimate links and redirect them either to their own malicious website or to install unwanted applications (including malware)
In 2021, I don't see why the forum uses redirect.viglink.com anymore. It's both annoying and a security vulnerability to every member on the forum. Any link could be a threat when you don't know where it leads.
IB Staff
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 10,579
Likes: 4
I'm a relatively new member and find the link redirects to be terrible. I sometimes provide a specific link to someone to help their issue, and the redirect service sends them to a different product and/or different website.
Not only is this frustrating when I'm trying to help someone, but the link redirect service is a great way for cyber criminals to hijack legitimate links and redirect them either to their own malicious website or to install unwanted applications (including malware)
In 2021, I don't see why the forum uses redirect.viglink.com anymore. It's both annoying and a security vulnerability to every member on the forum. Any link could be a threat when you don't know where it leads.
Not only is this frustrating when I'm trying to help someone, but the link redirect service is a great way for cyber criminals to hijack legitimate links and redirect them either to their own malicious website or to install unwanted applications (including malware)
In 2021, I don't see why the forum uses redirect.viglink.com anymore. It's both annoying and a security vulnerability to every member on the forum. Any link could be a threat when you don't know where it leads.
This site has used the service for years. As you indicated you're a new member, in the last 10+ years of my involvement on CorvetteForum, I don't recall any case where a member provided a link and the managed service directed the reader elsewhere to result in "malicious" software or similar results. This service is managed with ad partners. It's no worse than if Member A posted a link and it was to a bad site. Everyone must take caution when linking on external links, use best judgement, and have a properly patched and secure system when using it online.
Thread Starter
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 787
Likes: 279
From: Reston, VA
Here's an example, click on the link to the double-stick tape in my post.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1604229066
It's different than Member A posting a link to a bad site, because when you hover over normal links, they show you the url of the intended website. If you hover over my link to the tape, it says Amazon but takes you to Michael's and it's the wrong tape.
Here's where my tape link took me: https://www.michaels.com/scotch-extr...a=MXxOfDB8WXww
Here's what I tried to link to:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1604229066
It's different than Member A posting a link to a bad site, because when you hover over normal links, they show you the url of the intended website. If you hover over my link to the tape, it says Amazon but takes you to Michael's and it's the wrong tape.
Here's where my tape link took me: https://www.michaels.com/scotch-extr...a=MXxOfDB8WXww
Here's what I tried to link to:
Last edited by She_Thicc; Oct 28, 2021 at 04:47 PM.
IB Staff
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 10,579
Likes: 4
Here's an example, click on the link to the double-stick tape in my post.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1604229066
It's different than Member A posting a link to a bad site, because when you hover over normal links, they show you the url of the intended website. If you hover over my link to the tape, it says Amazon but takes you to Michael's and it's the wrong tape.
Here's where my tape link took me: https://www.michaels.com/scotch-extr...a=MXxOfDB8WXww
Here's what I tried to link to: https://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotch-Ext...005SRECEU?th=1
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1604229066
It's different than Member A posting a link to a bad site, because when you hover over normal links, they show you the url of the intended website. If you hover over my link to the tape, it says Amazon but takes you to Michael's and it's the wrong tape.
Here's where my tape link took me: https://www.michaels.com/scotch-extr...a=MXxOfDB8WXww
Here's what I tried to link to: https://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotch-Ext...005SRECEU?th=1
That said, we are aware of the service that can link to partners when product links are added. As I previously stated, the service has been in use for some years and, in my 10+ years here, has not been a source of malware as you're suggested it could be.
Yes, it is different from Member A posting a link and that was my point. Member A posting any link is worse than a multi-year service, being discussed in this thread, that is managed.
Thread Starter
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 787
Likes: 279
From: Reston, VA
^ I guess the unpredictability happens when a 3rd party redirects the links. Same thing happened to me the other night on a post I made about phone mounts. I linked to Amazon but the link took me to eBay when I would click it. After about an hour, the redirect corrected itself.
Is CorvetteForum selling data about their users to Viglink by monetizing external links from the forum?
Is CorvetteForum selling data about their users to Viglink by monetizing external links from the forum?
IB Staff
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 10,579
Likes: 4
^ I guess the unpredictability happens when a 3rd party redirects the links. Same thing happened to me the other night on a post I made about phone mounts. I linked to Amazon but the link took me to eBay when I would click it. After about an hour, the redirect corrected itself.
Additionally, there's a Do Not Sell My Personal Information option for those who live in Europe or California in compliance with those region's GDPR/CCPA laws. That form can be found in the footer of the site. Or directly:
https://www.internetbrands.com/privacy/privacy-contact-form
Further, you can read up on the specifics of CorvetteForum (Internet Brands) data policies by the Privacy Statement, also located in the footer, or directly:
https://www.internetbrands.com/privacy/privacy-main
