Suggestion: make external links bright red

[LoyceV]

Just a thought: it took me a very long time before I realized on-forum links turn green when I hover my mouse above them. The color difference is barely noticeable on my screen.

So why not make all external links red on mouse hover? I can't create BBCode to demonstrate this, but with my mouse above a link to another website it will should like this.

It seems like a very small change that makes the difference very clear.

Update: credit where credit is due: Quickseller suggested this 4.5 years ago:

Or maybe any link that is not a bitcointalk.org link could change to red or some other color.

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[TryNinja]

I liked it. +1

Code:

a.ul:not([href^="https://bitcointalk.org/"]):hover {
    color: red;
}

[TheBeardedBaby]

I thought that maybe remove the option to hide the hyperlinks for the Newbies and Brand New accounts and just keep the whole url so nobody get fooled. I like LoyceV's suggestion more but this issue was discussed a few times before but again no changes has ever made, so I hope theymos sees the need for that particular change.

[Vod]

It seems like a very small change that makes the difference very clear.

It's a small coding change, but with larger consequences.

This forum should not do anything that gives off the impression it's trying to protect newbies from scams, when the scams are not moderated.

[suchmoon]

I liked it. +1

Code:

a.ul:not([href^="https://bitcointalk.org/"]):hover {
    color: red;
}

Will it work on short links?

Edit: it does, apparently those get replaced with full links in the backend. I meant links like:

Code:

[url=?topic=5300919.0]some text[/url]
[url=/index.php?topic=5300919.0]some text[/url]

[hilariousetc]

I thought that maybe remove the option to hide the hyperlinks for the Newbies and Brand New accounts and just keep the whole url so nobody get fooled. I like LoyceV's suggestion more but this issue was discussed a few times before but again no changes has ever made, so I hope theymos sees the need for that particular change.

It wouldn't stop all the recently hacked accounts though as I'd say half of them are Junior and above.

It seems like a very small change that makes the difference very clear.

It's a small coding change, but with larger consequences.

This forum should not do anything that gives off the impression it's trying to protect newbies from scams, when the scams are not moderated.

The forum has several measures to try protect users from being scammed (especially newer ones), but I don't think highlighting external links is a big deal either way. I've suggested before that all external links take you to a landing page first as a security measure with a warning to double check the url or something before you leave the site. That would give a buffer or a barrier against phishing links etc.

[The Sceptical Chymist]

This forum should not do anything that gives off the impression it's trying to protect newbies from scams, when the scams are not moderated.

Lol.  Sarcasm rarely comes over loud and clear on the internet, but I gotcha and assuming I'm right about that, you're one of the only senior members whom I've ever read anything even approaching a complaint about the forum allowing scammers.  I've always thought that was crazy, but that's just me.

I think this is a good idea and one that ought to be implemented, especially if it doesn't require much coding on Theymos's part--and TryNinja and suchmoon are indicating that it doesn't.  This is one of those things that can't hurt, only help.  I know I've clicked on links here before that I didn't realize were redirecting me away from bitcointalk, and no doubt that's something a scammer could and probably has already exploited.

[pugman]

Oh like this idea actually, you have my vote.

Oooh, along side, how about allowing only links with https and not http if it is not a thing yet? Or if not blocking http sites, a warning of some sort, or making them yellow in color?

Basic, small, baby steps that would help along the way.

[bL4nkcode]

I've suggested before that all external links take you to a landing page first as a security measure with a warning to double check the url or something before you leave the site. That would give a buffer or a barrier against phishing links etc.

This. If only theymos agrees, IIRC steam implemented such this when accessing external links on the platform.

[Edit] Found it. Same like this

[HeRetiK]

Oh I love the idea, especially since it's a small change that could make a huge difference.

The forum has several measures to try protect users from being scammed (especially newer ones), but I don't think highlighting external links is a big deal either way. I've suggested before that all external links take you to a landing page first as a security measure with a warning to double check the url or something before you leave the site. That would give a buffer or a barrier against phishing links etc.

I personally am annoyed by those, but it would probably be more effective than the color change. Presumably also much more implementation effort though. However if added it would be great if it were possible to turn this landing page off.

[OgNasty]

I made this suggestion several years ago.  Theymos didn't like the negative connection with red and links, so the inside links were left green and the outside links left normal.  This was back when negativity in the community wasn't appreciated though, so maybe revisiting my idea now that negativity seems acceptable in the community might be good.  Maybe try using the search function next time?

[Vod]

Maybe try using the search function next time?

Why so bitter, bro?

I appreciate Theymos not providing a false sense of security to newbies.  Hypothetically, Theymos could introduce liability if someone clicked a green (internal) link and was scammed that way.  We can't add any kind of safety suggestion to links. 

Treasurer thief OGNasty used this implied trust to raise thousands of bitcoin and lost about 99% of them in a ponzi he KNEW was a scam.. 

Most of us agree Theymos (the most powerful account here) has interests in the forum.    If Theymos writes or does something, he does not contradict those interests.  If another person can gain trust, lose $millions and erase the evidence, would you say his interests lie with the forum, bitcoin, or his blessed life? 

We need to vet those in power and influence.

[tranthidung]

< ... >

I support your proposal, LoyceV. It makes sense visually.

I thought that maybe remove the option to hide the hyperlinks for the Newbies and Brand New accounts and just keep the whole url so nobody get fooled. I like LoyceV's suggestion more but this issue was discussed a few times before but again no changes has ever made, so I hope theymos sees the need for that particular change.

theymos says many times that newbie jails will not be brought back so alternative solutions to control and prevent suspicious, hazardous links are good approaches.

Besides your proposals, I'd like to suggest to automatically put all url links from Brandnew or newbie members into code brackets. With this approach, brandnew/ newbie members will still be able to share url links but readers have to copy and paste those links to visit. It reduces mistakenly click on those bad links.

I think it is a small change like what theymos did when he disable image display from brandnew and newbie members.
Edit:

Wouldn't this also be viewed as one of those newbie jails by most of the newbie and other member, mate ?

Initially, I did not think of it as a jail but you could be right. It can be a softened jail if it is a jail.

[skarais]

Personally, I support LoyceV's idea this time on the basis that these are "small changes that have a big impact." I have noticed for a long time that hovering the mouse over a forum link turn green. If this color change is needed for a good cause, then I will fully support it. You get my voice LoyceV.
So far I have always been careful with hyperlink shared by newbie or other users on forum. This can prevent me from going to phishing sites or anything else that could harm me. To identify it, I often hover over the link and see the link information in the lower left corner.

Besides your proposals, I'd like to suggest to automatically put all url links from Brandnew or newbie members into code brackets. With this approach, brandnew/ newbie members will still be able to share url links but readers have to copy and paste those links to visit. It reduces mistakenly click on those bad links.

Wouldn't this also be viewed as one of those newbie jails by most of the newbie and other member, mate ?

[suchmoon]

I appreciate Theymos not providing a false sense of security to newbies.  Hypothetically, Theymos could introduce liability if someone clicked a green (internal) link and was scammed that way.  We can't add any kind of safety suggestion to links.  

It doesn't have to be about Bitcointalk link being more or less likely to point to a scam. At some point there were some Bitcointalk clone sites and users (sometimes inadvertently picking the wrong link from Google) would post links to those sites, potentially leading other users to phishing or just to the wrong place. I think green was introduced around that time. We already have zero tolerance rules here for malware etc so I don't think coloring the links really hurts the forum's libertarian street cred or whatever.

[erikoy]

I thought that maybe remove the option to hide the hyperlinks for the Newbies and Brand New accounts and just keep the whole url so nobody get fooled. I like LoyceV's suggestion more but this issue was discussed a few times before but again no changes has ever made, so I hope theymos sees the need for that particular change.

I agree there are tons of phishing sites and that could be hide from here to the user promoting the scam, fake site or etc. Though we know how useful it will be those hyperlinks to newbie and brand new accounts if they just started here and wanting to promote their site with good intention and not those scam sites. If it is only possible to filter the scam site here so that whenever wanted to post scam site it will not appear or will be removed automatically.

[LoyceV]

This forum should not do anything that gives off the impression it's trying to protect newbies from scams, when the scams are not moderated.

Scams aren't moderated, but posting a phishing link is a bannable offense.

I made this suggestion several years ago.

Let's see:

Or maybe any link that is not a bitcointalk.org link could change to red or some other color.

And 2.5 weeks later:

Maybe a better idea would be making the non bitcointalk.org links red?

Theymos didn't like the negative connection with red and links

[Citation needed]

Maybe try using the search function next time?

Indeed.

I've suggested before that all external links take you to a landing page first as a security measure with a warning to double check the url or something before you leave the site. That would give a buffer or a barrier against phishing links etc.

I've read the suggestion before, but it never got implemented. I wouldn't like such a feature as it takes longer to open a link (unless it can be disabled through profile settings).

Credit added to the OP

[hilariousetc]

I've suggested before that all external links take you to a landing page first as a security measure with a warning to double check the url or something before you leave the site. That would give a buffer or a barrier against phishing links etc.

This. If only theymos agrees, IIRC steam implemented such this when accessing external links on the platform.

[Edit] Found it. Same like this

Lots of websites and forums have them. Think even youtube does now as well. I've almost clicked on a couple of nasty links before and at least this would be an extra precaution. Some of the urls can be very sneaky.

Oh I love the idea, especially since it's a small change that could make a huge difference.

I personally am annoyed by those, but it would probably be more effective than the color change. Presumably also much more implementation effort though. However if added it would be great if it were possible to turn this landing page off.

Well yeah, I think I suggested elsewhere that it should be able to be turned off/on as some people obviously won't want it or it will be annoying.

[NeuroticFish]

I've suggested before that all external links take you to a landing page first as a security measure with a warning to double check the url or something before you leave the site. That would give a buffer or a barrier against phishing links etc.

This would be even more useful than the hover color most newbies won't understand nor care it's red or green.
And this should somewhat help also in case one tries things like

Code:

 [ url=bitcointalk.clone/whatever ]bitcointalk.org/whatever[ /url ]

So my vote goes for the implementation of this kind of landing page, maybe also with the option in settings to deactivate it (assuming that you know what you're doing).

[suchmoon]

This would be even more useful than the hover color most newbies won't understand nor care it's red or green.

Also there is an issue with mobile browsers - hover doesn't really work and it's harder to see where the link is pointing to.