Why Are Some Deals Posted via Hidden Third Party Data Collectors ?

Lcohiba on 02/06/2019 - 09:42

Deals are occasionally posted with the link leading to a third party data collector rather than directly to the deal site.

For example (I'm not trying to pick on the deal submitter, as there are others doing the same thing) the deal posted under https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/460755 will take you to AliExpress via https://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/5513991/type/dlg/https://www…

I don't see why "www.anrdoezrs.net" should be involved in the flow of the deal and my Pi-Hole blocks this redirection via public blacklists.

Do others feel concerned with deals posted this way, and should/what can be done ?

Site Discussion

Comments

  • Moderatorneil on 02/06/2019 - 11:58

    Seems you may be describing different things.

    • Affiliate Links are shown to guests (non-logged in users) who click through the Go to Deal link. It's only in the Go to Deal link. You should be taken directly to the link.
    • Deal posters can't post androzers or any other affiliate links in their deal URL, body of the deal or in comments without it setting off flags on our end, like this forum post has (androzers link referenced is in grey).

    So if you are logged in and getting those links, then there is an issue with your computer or DNS.

    • cohiba on 02/06/2019 - 12:06

      Thankyou. That perfectly explains the different behaviour I experienced. Thanks to all the others too that provided suggestions or took time to respond.

  • altomic on 02/06/2019 - 10:02
    +1

    hi, I posted that deal.

    the direct Aliexpress link was the link provided in the post submission.

    I'm unsure as to how or where "www.anrdoezrs.net" came in to play.

  • RockyRaccoon on 02/06/2019 - 10:06
    +3

    you might have something on your computer (virus/hijack) as when I click the link it goes directly to Aliexpress

  • blitz on 02/06/2019 - 10:22
    +1

    Yep, something's listening on your PC.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 02/06/2019 - 10:42
    +1

    Scan your PC https://www.malwarebytes.com

    Use something like this going forward https://www.kaspersky.com.au/free-antivirus

  • cohiba on 02/06/2019 - 10:45

    It may be Pi-Hole; I'm inclined to think it's not my PC as it happens on all browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Pale Moon etc) with the same behavior on an IPad so not just Windows. I'm reasonably meticulous with computer security and run various malware blockers.

    Does anyone here use a Pi-Hole DNS Server who can check if this occurs to them ?

    I only see this occur with a very small number of Ozbargain deals, and it doesn't seem to occur when browsing other sites.

    Thanks

  • triviums on 02/06/2019 - 10:51

    Same thing happened to me, but with uBlock Origin adblocker. The adblocker blocked me from viewing the aliexpress page until I made an exemption for the site anrdoezrs.

    This is the first time something like this has occurred to me on ozbargain. Almost all redirects like the one I experienced have occurred when attempting to view newspaper website such as SMH, Age, etc.

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 02/06/2019 - 11:12

      I'm using uBlock Origin and have no issues following the link from the original deal.

  • competitions on 02/06/2019 - 10:55

    They are affiliate links for ozbargain - a redirect url from Commission Junction

  • pegaxs on 02/06/2019 - 11:07

    I have a Pi-Hole here as well and had absolutely no problem going to the deal and then onto the site. Mods are pretty good at weeding out things like referral links in posts like that. My suggestion is that your browser has been hijacked, not that OzBargain is redirecting you.

    I tried the link from my PC, both Windows and Linux. I tried from an iPad, a Galaxy Tab 10, OnePlus phone and an iPhone 7 for mobile devices. Running latest Pi-Hole and using Google DNS as my external name servers.

  • cohiba on 02/06/2019 - 11:42

    Ok, I just tried the original link and it now works correctly without passing through the data collector.

    Given another user has posted with the same issue it isn't just me and unlikely to be local malware.

    Does anyone know how to seek clarification from Mods on their policy/practice regarding affiliate links such as Commission Junction ?

    Seems to me there is some underlying logic where only some deals are marked, for some ozbargain users, for some periods of time.

    • altomic on 02/06/2019 - 11:46

      there is a "Talk With A Mod" option in the "Forum" drop down menu.

      • cohiba on 02/06/2019 - 11:57

        Thankyou, I've just asked the Mods. Sorry for bringing you innocently into this :-)

        • altomic on 02/06/2019 - 12:23

          all good. I'm curious as to how it works

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 02/06/2019 - 20:47
      +2

      Given another user has posted with the same issue it isn't just me and unlikely to be local malware.

      Btw that's confirmation bias.

      • ronnknee on 04/06/2019 - 10:09

        This. 2 people with malware versus how many that don't have the problem?

        • triviums on 04/06/2019 - 13:17

          It's also plausible that others don't actually notice it. I only noticed it because of ublock origin. If I used any other adblocker/no adblocker I would have never noticed that I was being redirected to affiliate links when I am not logged into ozbargain.

          • ronnknee on 04/06/2019 - 13:22

            @triviums: Have you seen the mod's post yet? Nothing to do with OzBargain.

            • triviums on 04/06/2019 - 13:28
              +1

              @ronnknee: yes it does. Have you seen it??

              It's how ozbargain makes money from guests. People who aren't logged into ozbargain are shown advertisements and when they click on certain deal links they go through an affiliate link which ozbargain makes money from.

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