What is an HTTP Referer?
Imagine you are walking through a mall. Every time you enter a new shop, the shopkeeper asks, "Which store were you just in?" That is exactly what an HTTP Referer does. It’s a piece of information your browser gives to a new website, telling it the exact address of the page you just left. AirOI Checker helps you see if your browser is talking too much!
History Leaks
If you are on a private page and click an external link, that new site now knows the private URL you were looking at.
Token Theft
Some sites put "Reset Tokens" or "Session IDs" in the URL. If these leak, a hacker might be able to use that link to get into your account.
How to stop the leaks
Web developers and users can both stop these leaks using "Referrer Policies." Here are the best ones:
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no-referrer: This is the safest. It tells the browser to never tell anyone where you came from.
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same-origin: Only share the URL if you are staying on the same website. If you leave, tell them nothing.
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strict-origin: Only tell the new site the name of the website (like airoichecker.com), but hide the specific page name.
Pro Tip for Users
VPNs do not stop referrer leaks. Only your browser settings or privacy extensions (like uBlock Origin) can stop your browser from shouting your history to everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Incognito mode hide my referrer?
No. Incognito mode only hides your history from your own computer. It still tells the websites you visit exactly where you were a second ago.
Is a Referer leak a virus?
No, it’s not a virus. It is just a standard part of how the internet works. However, it is a privacy risk because it shares more data than most people realize.
How can I check if I'm leaking right now?
Just look at the status box above! If it says "No Leak," you are safe. If it shows a URL, that is exactly what the next website you visit will see.