Posted on 07/19/2013 5:41:21 AM PDT by AtlasStalled
Just a heads up to the FR team.
A few minutes ago I mistyped the URL for FR into the address bar -- I think it was freeerepublic.com -- and ended up being redirected through multiple URLs ultimately to undergroundtech.net
I'm no expert on computer law but I think it's against the law for redirectors to exploit a misspelling of a legitimate URL, and thought the FR team may want to know about this.
I don't think I've ever typed an URL in my life.
Why would you need to?
I don’t think I’ve ever typed an URL in my life.
But then, I’m a touch typist.
This may be why I hate smart phones so much.
Happens all the time. It may be illegal (or at least subject to civil damages) here but it doesn’t matter much if the site is hosted in another country like Panama or Ecuador.
I hhate yo admit I stil do www... I think it helps me focus. SOME tupid form of ocd.
I don’t think it’s even illegal.
The poster is lucky he didn’t end up at one of those “neverending porn” sites.
That is why some sites have purchased additional sites that would be a common misspelling to prevent such redirects. However, similarity of names is not a violation. For example, whitehouse.com is NOT whitehouse.gov. The first is, or at least, was a porn site. The second, well....
How is it illegal to have similar urls? There are a number of companies that have urls that are 1 or 2 letters different than mine. Does that mean I’ve done something illegal when some lousy typist comes to my website through his own mistake?
Take some personal responsibility instead of whining.
“For example, whitehouse.com is NOT whitehouse.gov. The first is, or at least, was a porn site. The second, well...”
The porn site is 1000X more honest and moral than the actual White House site.
How far we’ve fallen...
If you have your computer set to clear your cache when you close your browser, next time you will have to type the URL.
Anyway, when I navigated to that URL as you did, the software I use to keep my PC healthy sent up several warnings during the re-direct about malware, etc. Just a heads up.
I suppose.
Guess nobody else ever thought of saving links.
I should apply for a patent.
Don’t know how there could be a law against it. You typed it, after all.
I came across a Firefox extension that claimed to protect against misspellings like that a few days ago - can’t remember the name though.
“You typed it, after all.”
I didn’t type in the redirects.
“Take some personal responsibility instead of whining.”
How would Sharia Law handle my personal responsibility in making the typo?
“I’d do a complete scan of the PC for malware and viruses”
Good idea. Thanks.
Wait...what?
Don’t need to type in www?
LOL....you should!!!
Even if my cache is cleared, I just start typing free and the name pops up. No big deal for me at least.
The use by a third-party of a misspelled URL (for example freeerepublic rather than freerepublic) is called typosquatting, and some allege that such use arguably may constitute trademark infringement of the legitimate URL. Just an FYI for the FR team.
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