Stop short URL abuse by previewing the URL automatically before visiting it.

Latest Version

Version
1.0
Update
November 18, 2013
Size
11.33KiB
Developer
Category
Users
318
Rating
3.71429 ★
Manifest Version
2
Web Store Status
Languages Support
English (United States)
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Permissions
WebRequest
WebRequestBlocking
*://bit.ly/*
*://bitly.com/*
*://tinyurl.com/*
*://is.gd/*
*://goo.gl/*
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Preview Short URLs Extension

This addon will show you a preview page clearly displaying the destination URL whenever you visit a shortened URL.

Currently supports:
bit.ly
bitly.com
tinyurl.com
is.gd
goo.gl

Want support for more? Feel free to suggest something. :)

Want to help out? This code is on github https://github.com/Azelphur/Preview-Short-URLs patches welcome!

Feel free to drop by irc://irc.azelphur.com/#azelphur if you have any questions.
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Source Manifest.json

{"update_url": "https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx", "manifest_version": 2, "name": "Preview Short URLs", "description": "Stop short URL abuse by previewing the URL automatically before visiting it.", "version": "1.0", "author": "Alfie \\"Azelphur\\" Day", "homepage_url": "http://blog.azelphur.com/", "permissions": [ "webRequest", "webRequestBlocking", "*://bit.ly/*", "*://bitly.com/*", "*://tinyurl.com/*", "*://is.gd/*", "*://goo.gl/*" ], "icons": { "16": "icons/icon128.png", "48": "icons/icon128.png", "128": "icons/icon128.png" }, "background": { "scripts": ["background.js"] }}
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How to download and manually install Preview Short URLs extension for Chrome

Looking for a way to install Preview Short URLs extensions for Chrome, you can search for them in the Chrome Web Store, clicking the "Add to Chrome" button, and following the straightforward process.

However, you may need to install Preview Short URLs extensions manually, this article outlines two simple methods to effortlessly install Preview Short URLs extensions, whether they come as unpacked folders in compressed formats like .zip or as .crx files.

Method 1: Download Preview Short URLs extension and manually install through Drag &Drop

If you ever need to manually install a Preview Short URLs extension for Chrome, don't worry, it's a simple process. Just follow these easy steps, and you will have your extension ready to use in no time.

Step 1: Download the Preview Short URLs Extension by clicking the "Download CRX" button on the website.

Look for the Preview Short URLs extension you wish to install. Go to the website and download the Preview Short URLs extension package, which is usually a .CRX file and comes in a zipped file. Here ".crx" file is the format for Preview Short URLs extension that contains all the data.

Step 2: Extract &Arrange Files

Once the file is downloaded, extract that file into its own folder. Similarly, give that extension files a permanent home. In other words, keep it in a folder that you don't accidentally delete it because these files will be needed to make that extension work.

Step 3: Go to the Chrome Extensions Page

Open Google Chrome and in the address bar, type chrome://extensions; it will open the Google Chrome extensions page. Make sure that "My extensions" is selected in the sidebar.

Step 4: Drag and Drop the Extension

Now, go to the folder where you extracted the Preview Short URLs extension and drag &drop the extension file from there anywhere onto the extension page within Google Chrome.

Step 5: Complete the Installation

Once you drag and drop the extension file, follow the steps that Google Chrome takes you through. Similarly, if the extension file is of .crx file format, you will be required to review the permissions and then add the extension.

Now, you can manage that added extension as you would like to with any other Chrome extension that you added through Chrome Webstore. Its icon will also appear in the Google Chrome Menu on the right side of the address bar once you activate it.

Method 2: Download Preview Short URLs extension for Chrome and install in Developer Mode

This is another method to install Preview Short URLs extension manually, but the twist is that here, you install by enabling the developer mode option provided in Google Chrome. This mode is commonly used for testing extensions or running unpublished tools.

Step 1: Download the Preview Short URLs extension file

Select and download the Preview Short URLs extension by clicking the 'Download CRX' button on the website.

Step 2: Extract the downloaded contents

Convert the file to a ZIP file if it is in CRX format then extract the Preview Short URLs extension zip file or folder that you downloaded. Make sure you extract it using the same folder name and keep it safely in another folder, so you don't delete it by mistake. The extracted folder will be needed to keep your Preview Short URLs extension running.

Step 3: Open Chrome Extension Setting Page

In the address bar of Google Chrome, type chrome://extensions and open the Chrome Extension Page.

Step 4: Enable Developer Mode

After opening the Chrome Extension page, look at the top right side, and you will find the toggle option of "Developer mode."Simply enable that developer mode option.

Step 5: Load the Unpacked Extension

Once you enable the developer mode option, you will see the menu of Load Unpacked, Pack Extensions and Update. From that, select the option "Load unpacked."

Step 6: Select the Extension Folder

Once the pop-up opens upon clicking Load unpacked, select the Preview Short URLs extension directory and click on the "Select Folder "button.

Step 7: Confirm and Install

After you select an extension folder of a Google Chrome extension you're installing manually, confirm its installation for the final time and let the installation complete.

Conclusion

Here we've made a step-by-step guide on How to manually install Preview Short URLs extension in 2 ways. We hope this guide proves helpful.

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User reviews

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Mason K (ID: 0000009072a96720) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 11/23/2020 Perfect extension, just needs some updating. I might make a pull request on github sometime. This extension is different from the others on how it gets the destination url, it catches the redirect and shows you a preview of the actual url before navigating there.

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enam ym (ID: 0000007e092c043b) Voted 1 ★ - Updated 05/08/2015 No longer functional

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Jordan W (ID: 000000bb11243184) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 01/13/2014 this is absolutely perfect if you receive such links from irc, game clients, and instant message clients

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Rob Warner (ID: 0000004bc45170cd) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 11/20/2013 Really useful, helps filter out spam/fake links when shortened.

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Oliver Hafner (ID: 000000bf25bae029) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 11/18/2013 Awesome App, Must have!!!!