Introduction of Redirect Notice when you select a link/reference/URL

[AussieNeil]

Some of you may have noticed the above appearing when you select a link (URL). Below, Laura from HealthUnlocked explains why this security feature has been introduced - it gives you an opportunity to check the link you selected is taking you where you expect. This new security feature also means that we can more confidently use URL shortening services, like tinyURL and bit.ly, which we sometimes need to use when HealthUnlocked won't properly establish a link to a web reference using lots of punctuation characters.

Neil

Good morning everyone,

As you will know by now, we are always exploring ways to try to improve security and awareness of online safety on HealthUnlocked.

Another step towards doing this is to introduce a redirect notice page. You may well have seen a page similar while navigating around other websites. There are many purposes for this notice, here are a few below in relation to HealthUnlocked:

- It reduces the risk of vulnerabilities, e.g. others sharing URL's that mimic those that are trusted but actually redirect to a different site (potentially with malicious intentions). This is unlikely but it's still a risk we want to reduce nonetheless.

- We currently hyperlink any links shared in posts and replies which means the full URL link isn’t always visible. This notice will provide another chance to check the link you will be taken to so you are confident it’s a link you want to visit.

- It acts as a deterrent for anyone wanting to share suspicious/spam links in posts.

[Wroxham]

Thanks for the explanation Neil. There is currently 1 post on here where this has happened . I wondered!! but didn't ask .

Clear case of wait and see.

Sue

[Bubnojay]

Yes, this works, good to have HU protecting us. Very little inconvenience to us.

Bubnjay1

[Peggy4]

Ah I did wonder. Thanks Neil 👍

Peggy 😀

[lexie]

I have run into this a few times and thought it was a glitch. Good to know that I can expect it regularly now.

[Fran57]

Thanks Neil. Nice to know we're being looked after.

Fran 😉

[Jemorgen]

I applaud the move to greater security. I have a related question though - when there’s a hyperlink to one of our own previous posts I get booted out of the app and have to sign into the webpage to read the link. Can this be fixed or is it a security issue as per above?

Thanks

[AussieNeil Administrator in reply to Jemorgen]

I've asked HU Support to advise.

Neil

[Jemorgen in reply to AussieNeil]

Thanks!

[AussieNeil Administrator in reply to Jemorgen]

Laura from HU has replied to your question as follows: "I've tested with various devices and they all open HealthUnlocked links with the default browser of choice, e.g. Safari, Chrome etc, rather than the app.

It's not a security reason and the behaviour should ideally reflect the same as clicking on a user mention in a post, so I've created a ticket and raised it with the product manager. Thank you for sharing and to the member in your community who raised it."

So until HU correct this, because the HealthUnlocked app currently opens referenced HealthUnlocked posts with a browser app, if you haven't used the browser to access HU or haven't asked it to remember your password, you'll be prompted for your password.

Neil

[Jemorgen in reply to AussieNeil]

Thanks so much Neil and Laura!