Protecting against a tracking parameter in a web link

One or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising one or more computer-readable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a security device, cause the security device to perform a method for protecting against a tracking parameter in a web link, the method comprising:

• receiving an input uniform resource locator (URL) during a browser navigation session on a user device, the input URL including parameters that are configured to direct a web browser to a destination web page;
• determining that the parameters include (i) a destination parameter that corresponds to the destination web page and (ii) a tracking parameter that corresponds to a tracking domain configured to track online movements and/or delivery of harmful software to the user device;
• pausing the browser navigation session on the user device;
• launching the input URL in a headless browser, the headless browser operating in an isolated environment that simulates one or more features of the user device;
• in response to launching the input URL in the headless browser, landing on the destination web page in the isolated environment;
• identifying the destination parameter that corresponds to the destination web page as a destination URL;
• resuming the browser navigation session on the user device by replacing the input URL, which includes the tracking parameter, with the destination URL that does not include the tracking parameter, in order to protect the user device from the tracking parameter, and
• storing tracking data in a database, the tracking data including the input URL, the destination URL, and an identification of the tracking parameter within the input URL.

A computing device comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• one or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising one or more computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computing device to perform a method for protecting against a tracking parameter in a web link, the method comprising:
• receive an input uniform resource locator (URL) during a browser navigation session on a user device, the input URL including parameters that are configured to direct a web browser to a destination web page;
• determine that the parameters include (i) a destination parameter that corresponds to the destination web page and (ii) a tracking parameter that corresponds to a tracking domain configured to track online movements and/or delivery of harmful software to the user device;
• pausing the browser navigation session on the user device;
• launching the input URL in a headless browser, the headless browser operating in an isolated environment that simulates one or more features of the user device;
• in response to launching the input URL in the headless browser, landing on the destination web page in the isolated environment;
• identifying the destination parameter that corresponds to the destination web page as a destination URL;
• resuming the browser navigation session on the user device by replacing the input URL, which includes the tracking parameter, with the destination URL that does not include the tracking parameter, in order to protect the user device from the tracking parameter, and
• storing tracking data in a database, the tracking data including the input URL, the destination URL, and an identification of the tracking parameter within the input URL.