Go ahead, try it right now. Type "itanimulli.com" into your browser's address bar. That's "illuminati" spelled backwards, followed by ".com". Hit enter.

You'll land directly on the official website of the National Security Agency. The NSA. The ultra-secretive government intelligence organization that totally isn't run by a shadowy cabal of world-controlling puppet masters. Right?

The Internet's Favorite Conspiracy Easter Egg

This redirect has been fueling conspiracy theories since at least 2009. Forums exploded with speculation: Was this proof of the NSA's connection to the Illuminati? A careless mistake by government webmasters? A breadcrumb intentionally left by whistleblowers?

The actual answer is far less sinister and far more hilarious.

Just Some Guy in Utah Having a Laugh

In 2002, a man named John Fenley from Provo, Utah registered the domain itanimulli.com. He didn't work for the government. He had no insider knowledge. He just thought it would be funny.

Fenley later explained his thinking: "I decided to forward the domain Itanimulli.com domain to the NSA as a joke ... kind of like a rickroll + shock site." He'd registered the backwards-Illuminati domain years earlier but hadn't done anything with it—until inspiration struck.

When he realized he could redirect visitors to the NSA website, he couldn't resist. The prank was too perfect.

How Domain Redirects Actually Work

There's no technical wizardry here. Anyone can:

Register any available domain name
Set up a redirect to any other website
Watch the conspiracy theories roll in

You could register "governmentsecrets.com" tomorrow and redirect it to a recipe for chocolate chip cookies. It doesn't mean the CIA is baking snickerdoodles in Area 51.

The Redirect's Legacy

Fenley's prank has proven remarkably durable. The redirect was temporarily removed after Snopes investigated and published the explanation in 2009, but it's since been re-enabled. Apparently, even knowing it's a joke can't stop people from wanting to experience it firsthand.

It's become internet folklore—a perfect example of how domain registration plus conspiracy culture equals viral staying power. The fact is true. The conspiracy isn't. But sometimes, the weird truth is more entertaining than the fantasy.

So yes, typing "illuminati" backwards really does take you to the NSA website. Just don't expect to find any secret world government meeting minutes when you get there.

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