What Is a Dereferer?
When you click a link on any webpage, your browser automatically sends an HTTP Referer header to the destination site. This header contains the full URL of the page you were on — exposing your browsing history, internal URLs, forum posts, and campaign sources to external websites.
A dereferer is an intermediate redirect page that breaks this chain. Instead of going directly from your page to the destination, the link routes through a dereferer server that strips the Referer header before forwarding the visitor. The destination site sees no referrer at all.
Why the HTTP Referer Header Is a Privacy Risk
- Exposes internal URLs — If you share a link from a private Slack, internal wiki, or company intranet, the destination sees that URL in the Referer.
- Reveals forum membership — Linking from a private forum exposes its URL to the destination site.
- Leaks campaign sources — Competitors can see exactly which platform you are promoting from.
- Tracks affiliate sources — Advertisers can see which page sent the click, exposing your promotional strategy.
- Identifies private research — Sensitive browsing sessions get exposed when you click outbound links.
Three Modes: Single, Batch and UTM Stripper
- Single link — Wrap any URL with one click, get QR code included
- Batch mode — Paste up to 100 URLs at once and anonymize them all instantly
- UTM Stripper — Remove utm_source, fbclid, gclid and 40+ tracking parameters before wrapping
Who Uses a Dereferer?
- Affiliate marketers — Hide traffic source from advertisers
- Forum members — Share links without exposing the community URL
- Webmasters — Prevent internal page URLs appearing in competitor server logs
- Privacy users — Browse and share without building a referrer trail
- Security researchers — Test URLs without revealing your research environment
Related Privacy Tools
- URL Shortener — Short links that also strip the referrer
- What Is My IP — See what else your browser reveals
- HTTP Headers Checker — Inspect all headers your browser sends
