Tampermonkey Referrer Script Creation

Sean Hannity

2 min read

·

09-11-2024

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Tampermonkey is a popular userscript manager that allows you to customize the way web pages look and function. One common use case for Tampermonkey scripts is manipulating HTTP headers, such as the Referer header. This can be useful for privacy reasons or to modify how websites recognize traffic.

Understanding the Referer Header

The Referer header is an HTTP header field that indicates the address of the webpage that linked to the resource being requested. Modifying this can be advantageous in various scenarios, such as:

• Privacy protection: Preventing websites from tracking your browsing habits.
• Access control: Bypassing certain restrictions set by web servers based on referrer information.

Creating a Basic Tampermonkey Script to Modify the Referer Header

Here’s how you can create a simple Tampermonkey script that changes the Referer header when you visit a specific website:

Step 1: Install Tampermonkey

1. Go to the extension store for your browser (Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, etc.).
2. Search for Tampermonkey and install it.

Step 2: Create a New Script

1. Click on the Tampermonkey icon in your browser.
2. Select Create a new script.

Step 3: Write the Script

Here’s a simple example script to modify the Referer header:

// ==UserScript==
// @name         Custom Referer Script
// @namespace    http://tampermonkey.net/
// @version      0.1
// @description  Change the Referer header for specific sites
// @author       Your Name
// @match        *://example.com/*    // Change to the target website
// @grant        none
// ==/UserScript==

(function() {
    'use strict';

    // Hook the XMLHttpRequest to modify the referer header
    const originalOpen = XMLHttpRequest.prototype.open;

    XMLHttpRequest.prototype.open = function(method, url, async, user, password) {
        this.setRequestHeader('Referer', 'https://your-custom-referer.com'); // Modify this line
        return originalOpen.apply(this, arguments);
    };
})();

Step 4: Customize the Script

• @match: Change *://example.com/* to the domain where you want to apply the script.
• Referer: Replace 'https://your-custom-referer.com' with the desired referer URL.

Step 5: Save the Script

1. Click on File and then Save (or use Ctrl+S) to save your script.
2. The script will automatically run on the specified sites.

Testing the Script

To test if your script works:

1. Navigate to the website you specified in the @match line.
2. Use the developer tools (F12) in your browser to inspect network requests and verify that the Referer header has been changed.

Important Considerations

• Legal implications: Modifying the Referer header can violate terms of service for some websites. Always use it ethically and responsibly.
• Compatibility: Ensure that your script doesn’t break functionality on the site. Test thoroughly.
• Privacy: Be aware that changing referer headers can lead to unexpected behavior or access issues.

Conclusion

Tampermonkey provides powerful capabilities for customizing web behavior, including altering HTTP headers like Referer. By following the steps above, you can create a simple userscript that enhances your privacy or helps you manage how websites recognize your traffic. Remember to always consider the implications of modifying web requests and use such scripts wisely.