Request.ServerVariables("HTTP_REFERER") returns empty value in IE

What server language are you using?  Looks like ASP.NET which would put you on IIS.  You should "Request Attention" and get those zones added to your question.

I see that it's ASP.  For what it's worth, it does work in IE8 on IIS5.0.  You do have to get there from a link on another page.  If you go directly there by typing in the address, there is no referrer.

The page is redirected from Google.

http://www.google.com/url?q=http//wstest9/MyPage.aspx

This url redirects to the MyPage.aspx. But in MyPage.aspx Request.ServerVariables("HTTP_REFERER") is empty if the redirect happens in the IE.

But Request.ServerVariables("HTTP_REFERER") is equal to http://www.google.com/url?q=http//wstest9/MyPage.aspx in case of Firefox or Chrome.

This is the essence of what I've found: "when using a javascript based link or redirect, IE doesn't get the referer information."  Apparently, it has always been this way for IE.

Please provide me some solutions for this.

Thanks
Shankar Manickam.

The "HTTP_REFERER" is simply not going to be available from IE under that circumstance.  What is your goal in collecting the "HTTP_REFERER"?

I have to allow acccess to my site only from fixed list of websites.

If they are not coming from the fixed list of website, I should redirect to Unauthorized Users page.


Thanks
Shankar Manickam

If they come to your site from a regular link, not javascript or redirect, then the "HTTP_REFERER" will be there in IE.  If you can make sure the allowed websites use regular links, then you can consider a blank "HTTP_REFERER" as unacceptable.  Note also that typing the address of that page directly in the address bar will result in no "HTTP_REFERER" for any browser as will a refresh after they are on the page.

If there is money involved, you should read this page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Referrer_spoofing  The "HTTP_REFERER" can be faked.

Is there any alternate for HTTP_REFERER that will get the source URL from which it was redirected.

Thanks
Shankar Manickam.