Rho-9 URL Redirect tracer(Linux build only)
Rho-9 URL Forensic Tracer: Documenting Redirect Chains
A Simple Tool for Tracking Where URLs Actually Lead
Rho-9 URL Forensic Tracer is a straightforward utility that helps you see what happens when you click a link. It follows both HTTP and JavaScript redirects, records each step in the chain, and documents everything in exportable logs—making it particularly useful for documenting suspicious email links.
Security & Verification Information
For authenticity and integrity checks, the following SHA-256 hashes have been generated for the related files:
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EULA.txt
SHA-256:5c48090d6cabf4af2a4ecb172751bc42ac803a976da6ba4b79dd15a5c2eff616 -
Rho-9_Forensic_URL_Tracer
SHA-256:b13fde39c5e53ed3b21a368dfd2c89fcf22536fb42eb14863a2f42376702b0c8 -
forensic_tracer.zip (zip archive containing the above files)
SHA-256:c9153adf3636fb518156d44e62e3e837f6e3a61baa776b63af3f924f3b55d972
Documenting Deceptive Marketing and Phishing Attempts
Many companies use misleading emails with alarming subject lines such as "Your subscription has been canceled" or "Security Alert: Your device is infected." These emails often include links that redirect through multiple hops before landing on sales pages:
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Create Evidence:
When deceptive email practices are suspected, Rho-9 generates timestamped logs that clearly show the redirect chain leading to sales pages. -
Reveal the Redirect Chain:
The tool exposes how emails—sometimes mimicking account notifications—redirect through tracking servers before reaching their final destination. -
Export Documentation:
Redirect chains can be saved as JSON, logs, or HTML reports, which can be shared with consumer protection agencies or used to support community warnings.
Practical Features Without the Fluff
Rho-9 URL Forensic Tracer is not designed to be an enterprise-grade security solution but rather a practical utility that:
- Follows both HTTP and JavaScript-based redirects.
- Records status codes and response times for each hop.
- Captures HTTP headers to reveal tracking parameters.
- Displays DNS resolution and involved IP addresses.
- Allows findings to be saved and exported for documentation.
Useful for Everyday Scenarios
Even though it's not a professional security tool, Rho-9 is helpful for:
- Verifying where shortened URLs actually lead before clicking.
- Documenting misleading email practices that funnel users to sales pages.
- Demonstrating how scam emails (e.g., "You've been hacked") redirect to security software sales pages.
- Checking if affiliate links properly credit the right sources.
- Educating users on how web redirects function.
Rho-9 URL Forensic Tracer doesn't claim to be sophisticated or professional-grade, but it reliably shows where a URL actually leads and creates logs that help document deceptive practices.
