The University has deployed a feature which scans URLs in incoming email and matches them against a reputation database. If the URL is identified as suspicious or malicious, it may be rewritten to first pass through Cisco's secure web proxy. For example:

Original URL: http://www.ihaveabadreputation.com/

Altered URL: http://secure-web.cisco.com/1S1h_Cy8Q_Oh-5N7AuDE0CgXvAUfWU4AKBjGdC6KJqVQ5OKyLFEHYVQZKL6csJCsYoHtn3F6qvjtjm_XYBgZTg3Eif9GHAlv401-6GBe4d-4WbeSzfuntprpClbfR3vofVedWgoMnOi02UxBriIohuhuWoXix0hHSHnTYoUV_IEZCGYP692qMqr9HDIr0ltv7Rt8TtHNpD4e7HNTmbryNvcaVsdqkDHoO2GbfxTMMduywVB_wGPmq9sbHkld-LapEwBPsCMVWVsdPyDd5-cbYdJYcn-rM904Nd9UzMOovItIp_7j6OBoZirvmSpvgXGDwXpUnHJCpdR4w-ff_FSTmowDDw-iODM-mY_8taFLbBFOkObv6NwBeo9KuYX8Gs624LnLA6UjgCqI-3gO04m4TBkBzfivHfFZurLaDNJGG6R4odLXkyVDd2T2e0uHF4QBQjhQykasd5-UG7g-c8M7Lvssa97-2VOG32ui2ey_Vn2BqipZWsXbhDw28mugJZMJX5xAtXDAtDVKklIcvfBLSlg/http://www.ihaveabadreputation.com/

Clicking on the altered link allows the Cisco secure web proxy to examine the destination at the moment you click on it. If the destination is suspicious or malicious, then the proxy will alert you to this fact and give you the option not to proceed.

If you have any questions regarding URL filtering or believe that URLs in incoming email are being rewritten in error, please contact the UT Service Desk at (512) 475-9400 or help@its.utexas.edu.