With the advent of url shorteners, many of the links we visit ? especially if we?re constantly visiting sites linked from Twitter and similar services ? are masked by shortened links that hide the actual URL. Normally, we?re visiting links posted by those we trust, which sees many of us casually click on the link without giving it much thought. But there?s always the off chance that a link we select redirects us to a site that we?d rather not visit.
With a new day comes a new Firefox extension introduced for the purpose of alleviating the headaches that often come with browsing the web. Called Verify Redirect, this Firefox extension runs in the background, highlighting the original URL whenever you click on a shortened link. While the page is in the process of loading, you?re shown the actual web address, with Verify Redirect prompting you to accept or deny the link. If it?s a link you visit continually, you?re given the option of instructing Verify Redirect not to alert you each time you visit the site.
This is particularly helpful for those of you who visit a lot of sites but remain mindful of just where you?re headed, keeping you on your toes as you walk about the precarious margins of the information superhighway.
You can download Verify Redirect here.