There is a new problem showing up, URL cloaking, for those that do not know what that is, it is quite simply, hiding the real URL! Yes, there are sites that offer short URLs, like TinyURL.com, and, for some things this could be ok, but, with all of the virus and spyware out there, hidden or “cloaked” URLs are not acceptable on a traffic exchange. Now don’t get me wrong, TinyURL.com is not a bad site, in fact, if you use Twitter, you URLs could show up using that service, and TinyURL.com offers a “preview” feature, which will allow you to see the site, before you go there.
Anyway, I am not just talking about shortened URLs, I am talking about this new wave of “Flash Pages” and the like. Why are they so bad? SPAM! Yes, that and other potential spyware that is being added in these hidden URLs. Now, I know that most folks using these things, think it is just a cool way of advertising both, their site and the third party site, thus giving you more credit on another site, what you may not know, is these pages are adding dangerous tracking cookies and are hiding things that are potentially even worse!
I monitor this site, both by surfing many hours a day, and by checking each and every URL submitted, and, in the past, I had approved many of these sites, just out of ignorance I guess, but guess what, I started getting SPAM email from several new sources, and upon further investigation, I found that it was some of these “flash” or “landing” page sites, some using frames and such that allow a hidden site to pop-up randomly, much like a rotator, which is also not allowed. So, from now on, there is yet another new rule, NO HIDDEN URLs! If you cannot use the real URL of your domain, DON’T bother submitting it! I know there are several currently in rotation here, I am putting a bounty on them! If, you should find a suspect site, report it and if it is a bad site, you will get a bonus! If you are the submitter of these type of URLs, you may as well delete them, as I will be hunting them down and suspending them. Hey, don’t take it personal, you can submit the actual URL for your site, but, I HATE SPAM and those promoting it will be removed! Thanks for surfing!
