Is there a way to keep from putting URL in a Users history?

[Jim R]

My guess is the answer is no, because I'm doing any trailblazing with this site.  However, I'm creating a domestic violence help website, and my client wants me to put a pop up that provides information on how to delete browser history and a quick out off the page.  

 

I'd like to take it one step further and see if it's possible to block the placement of the URL altogether.  Probably not, but I thought I would ask.  

 

Thank you.

 

 

[ginerjm]

Isnt' that an option of the browser itself?  Or did they stop offering that?

[cyberRobot]

Chome has Incognito mode

Firefox, IE, and Edge have Private Browsing mode

 

That might be a better thing to teach visitors about. Of course, that wouldn't fix the first time they visit the website...assuming they don't already know about these modes.

Edited September 8, 2017 by cyberRobot

[Jim R]

Under normal circumstances I agree, but any slip up could be disastrous to the User seeking help.  Also, abusers who will check histories and cookies will likely also see private browsing efforts have been enacted.  

 

@cyberRobot:  We have in mind to provide some browsing education.  That's a great thought.  

 

Normally my sites are basketball or politics related, where we gather as much information as we can.  This is the first such situation where the opposite is true.  Even for the abuser who might want research on getting help would benefit so their employer won't know.  You can get "caught" trying to help yourself sometimes.  We're trying to avoid any obstacles that might deter someone from visiting often.  

 

I'm even going to hard code how the cookies are placed, spelling the cookie backwards, so we can still ask for information that might help them without risking someone easily finding out.  

 

 

I just was curious if there is a way to code in something to block placing the URL in a browser's history.  Of course the funny side of that is, if such a way existed, the porn industry would've figured it out a long time ago.  Any search I've conducted for this today has dealt with the browser side, and inevitably there is a link from a porn site with their "How To" section linked.  

Edited September 8, 2017 by Jim R

[maxxd]

You could create an innocuous-sounding add-on domain to the main, then do any information gathering or dispersion via AJAX, which shouldn't create a history state. Any cookies would still be a potential cause of concern and of course any abuser who clicks links from the abused's history stack would be sent to the site, but for a quick work-around it may work.

[Jim R]

The problem there is getting them to market the name of the site/URL to where it reaches their intended audience.  

 

We'll mask our cookies and be explicit about erasing history URL if they're worried about discovery.  It would take someone really savvy with an unusual amount of time and patience to visit each site in the cookies and web information section, especially considering some sites up to a half dozen cookies up for reference points.