Is it safe to click on a link posted in a CU board message?
emzee
Posts: 1,862 ✭✭✭
A simple question:
Can I be hacked by simply following a link in a CU post that leads me to an outside website?
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Comments
It is possible, just like clicking on a link in an unrecognized email.
Do you have anti-virus software on your computer?
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clicking unrecognized links is never really without risk.
BUT don't feel too warm and cozy clicking known links as they can be spoofed, which means it looks like you are going to site A but you end up at B and site B can be made to look like site A and you are at risk at that point. if you log into site B that looks like site A, you're cooked. this is and has been happening A LOT surrounding the nft/blockchain/crypto space. if you land on a site you suspect of being fraudulent but looks like a legit known site, change passwords immediately although with some sites, the code can auto-hack you and the damage can be done BEFORE you can do anything about it.
unless a site has been hacked, you can however, once you to go the screen that tells you that you are leaving CU forums to go to X site, you can copy/paste that url text into a new tab manually,
i'm no expert but the post that has the link, if quoted, SHOULD show any extra code surrounding the link that may be used to spoof/redirect. this forum does permit HTML on a limited basis (i've tried quite a bit) but most doesn't work. CSS and (the other acronym is escaping me momentarily) does not appear to work. haven't tried PHP or anything more recent/advanced.
mostly i just use some html to resize images/gifs in posts as well as tinker with non-modified/spoofed/redirect links.
the odds are VERY low but i think the highest risk of something crazy happening is having a reputable member's account hacked and then posting something illicit.
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that is a good point. they do have spam and known risky sites flagged.
Keep in mind you can get malware from following a link to an image. The malware is hidden in the overlay.
Not all antivirus has anti malware, and vice versa.
Using a website link checking service isn't foolproof either.
Yes. I only open links from known board members.
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+1
logging into a personal account from an emailed link is where the hacking occurs. I personally don't worry about opening unkown web pages, my antivirus and anti malware software protects me. If you don't have both, you shouldn't be powering up your computer.
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Except known board members who aren't savvy could post links to infected sites.
I'> @jmlanzaf said:
That's a chance every one takes I get that. Take your chances with any site, jmo
I would not. I know of one individual here not only obnoxious (quote griefer) but I suspect he may also be a hacker.
Let’s face it u have many wealthy collectors here…..
I have anti-virus and malware protection. Nothing is perfect, and the nasty element is always trying new things. I change passwords fairly frequently and use caution when web surfing. Cheers, RickO
Yes it is possible, but that chance exists on any site where you click on an external link. Keep your anti virus and malware protection up to date and install an ad blocker and you'll minimize the odds of anything happening. For the extremely paranoid, using a linux based operating system minimizes the risk even more.
I'll have to run this question past my 6 year old Tech Guru. Us Seniors have to rely on the real pros for tech advice. Darn, I just realized that I have to wait until he is done with his nap.
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