news.volyx.in

The URL shortener that makes your links look as suspicious as possible (creepylink.com)

807 points by dreadsword · 189 days ago · 148 comments on HN

Article summary

A URL shortener has been created that generates suspicious-looking links, which has sparked a discussion on Hacker News. The website's purpose is to make links appear as spammy and creepy as possible. The discussion reveals that the website's design itself also raises suspicions, with some commenters finding it amusing and others criticizing its similarity to generic framework-oriented sites. The website's functionality has been tested by commenters, who have shared their results, including links that resemble phishing attempts.

Main themes

  • URL shortener
  • Suspicious links
  • Web design
  • Phishing tests
  • Internet safety
  • Humor

What commenters say

  • The website's design is overly generic and resembles every other modern framework-oriented site, which may be a deliberate choice to make it look suspicious.
  • The URL shortener is a useful tool for testing employees' internet safety awareness and can be used to educate them on the dangers of phishing.
  • The website's purpose is primarily humorous, and its ability to generate ridiculous and suspicious-looking links is entertaining.
  • The creation of such a URL shortener is a bad idea, as it can be used for malicious purposes and contribute to the proliferation of spam and phishing attempts.
  • Some commenters have expressed concern that the website may be blocked by security software and browsers due to its suspicious nature, which could limit its usefulness.
  • The website's functionality has been compared to previous similar projects, such as shadyurl, which was known for generating incredibly shady domains.
  • There is a debate about the usefulness of the website beyond its humorous value, with some arguing that it has no practical use case beyond phishing tests and humor.
  • The website's ability to generate links that resemble phishing attempts has sparked a discussion about the importance of internet safety and the need for employees to be vigilant when clicking on links.