Report Hijacks, Dead Links, Inappropriate DMOZ Content, and other issues here ONLY
S
scientist
Re: Hijacks & Other Content Changes - Report Here
Thank you very much for your rapid action. This gives me the strength to continue helping the DMOZ abusers "stuffing" project.
On the other hand the lack of response in my above post #63928 has made me think that I have not given enough evidence to support my statement. I hope it is OK to enhance my statement with the following:
In http://www.dmoz.org/Business/Small_Business/Home_Office/
We have:
1. Work at Home Club (http://workathomeclub.com/) - Information and resources for the work at home entrepreneur.
In this page we can see about 40 links. 20 of them are pointing directly to Clickbank products with Clickbank affiliate Ids. Of the rest 20 links 10 are pointing to inner pages: Business, Debts, Opportunities, …, Investments. Each of these pages is also full of Clickbank products.
This leaves us with only 10 links, 4-5 of them pointing to other sites (probably owned by the same person) and the rest links are pages with no content (contact, privacy policy, terms, etc) except one titled: “Articles”.
This one is the only page that leads to some content. However, all these articles are written by other webmasters and we can find them in the original sites and in a lot of other web sites. If I remember correctly, I have seen posts in the past that having a database of articles written by other webmasters and no authentic content is a very well reason for your site to be rejected by DMOZ.
2. Biz whiz (http://biz-whiz.com/) - A community website for work from home business. It contains information, tools and resources to help any home based business.
This is a tougher one because this webmaster tries (almost successfully) to hide his affiliations. He does that by avoiding to link directly to his affiliate pages and at first glance it appears that he has no affiliate links. A more careful examination reveals the following:
Firstly, the first link throughout the whole site is titled: “Recommended Home Business” and it links to an article. An article? Not exactly! The “article” consists of SFI sales pitch and registration form. In this way it does not look like an affiliate link and this webmaster could get away with it by a not careful reviewer.
Is that all? Of course not! The first of the most prominent “Work at Home Links” also points to the same “article”
The third link points to another “article” that is full of affiliate links and banners of CJ and Clickbank. Most of them are hidden with the “mouse over” technique.
The fourth link points to another “article” The situation is the same as above. (third “article”).
What is left? A content management system (open source PHP nuke that has been modified and that is sold probably illegally – but this could or could not be an issue for ODP) and a bunch of articles written by other webmasters. These articles are available in the original sites, and in a lot of other web sites.
In addition, in almost all of these not owned articles, this webmaster ads his sales pitch as an Editor note. Something like: “ Publisher's Note : After evaluating several home business opportunities, View why we recommend the SFI Home Business that is free to join.” or something similar. The rest of the site is a bunch of links to other sites, a result of the abused in our days “front page link exchange” method.
Do the above sites have real authentic content? No way! Both of them have one and only one reason: to promote their affiliate links. I hope I have managed to show you some of the dodgy methods these webmasters use to hide their affiliations.
PS: I apologize for the length of my post.
Thank you very much for your rapid action. This gives me the strength to continue helping the DMOZ abusers "stuffing" project.
On the other hand the lack of response in my above post #63928 has made me think that I have not given enough evidence to support my statement. I hope it is OK to enhance my statement with the following:
In http://www.dmoz.org/Business/Small_Business/Home_Office/
We have:
1. Work at Home Club (http://workathomeclub.com/) - Information and resources for the work at home entrepreneur.
In this page we can see about 40 links. 20 of them are pointing directly to Clickbank products with Clickbank affiliate Ids. Of the rest 20 links 10 are pointing to inner pages: Business, Debts, Opportunities, …, Investments. Each of these pages is also full of Clickbank products.
This leaves us with only 10 links, 4-5 of them pointing to other sites (probably owned by the same person) and the rest links are pages with no content (contact, privacy policy, terms, etc) except one titled: “Articles”.
This one is the only page that leads to some content. However, all these articles are written by other webmasters and we can find them in the original sites and in a lot of other web sites. If I remember correctly, I have seen posts in the past that having a database of articles written by other webmasters and no authentic content is a very well reason for your site to be rejected by DMOZ.
2. Biz whiz (http://biz-whiz.com/) - A community website for work from home business. It contains information, tools and resources to help any home based business.
This is a tougher one because this webmaster tries (almost successfully) to hide his affiliations. He does that by avoiding to link directly to his affiliate pages and at first glance it appears that he has no affiliate links. A more careful examination reveals the following:
Firstly, the first link throughout the whole site is titled: “Recommended Home Business” and it links to an article. An article? Not exactly! The “article” consists of SFI sales pitch and registration form. In this way it does not look like an affiliate link and this webmaster could get away with it by a not careful reviewer.
Is that all? Of course not! The first of the most prominent “Work at Home Links” also points to the same “article”
The third link points to another “article” that is full of affiliate links and banners of CJ and Clickbank. Most of them are hidden with the “mouse over” technique.
The fourth link points to another “article” The situation is the same as above. (third “article”).
What is left? A content management system (open source PHP nuke that has been modified and that is sold probably illegally – but this could or could not be an issue for ODP) and a bunch of articles written by other webmasters. These articles are available in the original sites, and in a lot of other web sites.
In addition, in almost all of these not owned articles, this webmaster ads his sales pitch as an Editor note. Something like: “ Publisher's Note : After evaluating several home business opportunities, View why we recommend the SFI Home Business that is free to join.” or something similar. The rest of the site is a bunch of links to other sites, a result of the abused in our days “front page link exchange” method.
Do the above sites have real authentic content? No way! Both of them have one and only one reason: to promote their affiliate links. I hope I have managed to show you some of the dodgy methods these webmasters use to hide their affiliations.
PS: I apologize for the length of my post.
J
jmagnan
Re: Hijacks & Other Content Changes - Report Here
Hi there,
I noticed a few sites that you might want to check out in the category I'm trying to get into:
http://dmoz.org/Computers/Hardware/Peripherals/Printers/Supplies/
http://www.Printdogs.com - is now an affiliate site
And in this category: http://dmoz.org/Computers/Hardware/Peripherals/Printers/Supplies/Inkjet/
http://www.inkflux.com no longer exists.
That's all for now, I'm going to go through one by one to make sure they are all okay.
Thanks
Hi there,
I noticed a few sites that you might want to check out in the category I'm trying to get into:
http://dmoz.org/Computers/Hardware/Peripherals/Printers/Supplies/
http://www.Printdogs.com - is now an affiliate site
And in this category: http://dmoz.org/Computers/Hardware/Peripherals/Printers/Supplies/Inkjet/
http://www.inkflux.com no longer exists.
That's all for now, I'm going to go through one by one to make sure they are all okay.
Thanks
J
jmagnan
Re: Hijacks & Other Content Changes - Report Here
Sorry about that, here is how they appear:
Print Dogs
Inkflux
Sorry about that, here is how they appear:
Print Dogs
Inkflux
Re: Hijacks & Other Content Changes - Report Here
Scientist, I'll try to look at this list later today. It's a bit complicated and can't be rushed.
Scientist, I'll try to look at this list later today. It's a bit complicated and can't be rushed.
ginfield81
Member
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2004
- Messages
- 4
Re: Hijacks & Other Content Changes - Report Here
My favorite category has a few dead links:
http://dmoz.org/Sports/Golf/Tournaments_and_Events/Tournament_Companies/
AGL Golf Leisure
http://www.acegolf.co.uk/
Web Host Under Construction Placeholder
Colorado Golf Services
http://golfcol.tripod.com/
Non-Existent Site
Corporate Golf Promotions
http://www.ukgolfdays.com/
Non-Existent Site
Eplangolf.com
http://www.eplangolf.com/
Dead Domain Name
MB Golf Services
http://www.mbgolfservices.com/
Dead Domain Name
Golf Marketing of New England
http://holeinone.virtualave.net/
Non-Existent Site Placeholder
Also, someone may want to look into a possible spammer in the group:
Golf Marketing and Insurance
http://hole-in-won.com/
and
Golf Marketing Incorporated
http://holeinone.bizland.com/
You'll notice on holeinone.bizland.com that the phone number for the company at the bottom of the page is identical to one of the phone numbers found at:
http://www.hole-in-won.com/welcome.htm
Seems fishy.
Thanks editors. You're all the best!
My favorite category has a few dead links:
http://dmoz.org/Sports/Golf/Tournaments_and_Events/Tournament_Companies/
AGL Golf Leisure
http://www.acegolf.co.uk/
Web Host Under Construction Placeholder
Colorado Golf Services
http://golfcol.tripod.com/
Non-Existent Site
Corporate Golf Promotions
http://www.ukgolfdays.com/
Non-Existent Site
Eplangolf.com
http://www.eplangolf.com/
Dead Domain Name
MB Golf Services
http://www.mbgolfservices.com/
Dead Domain Name
Golf Marketing of New England
http://holeinone.virtualave.net/
Non-Existent Site Placeholder
Also, someone may want to look into a possible spammer in the group:
Golf Marketing and Insurance
http://hole-in-won.com/
and
Golf Marketing Incorporated
http://holeinone.bizland.com/
You'll notice on holeinone.bizland.com that the phone number for the company at the bottom of the page is identical to one of the phone numbers found at:
http://www.hole-in-won.com/welcome.htm
Seems fishy.
Thanks editors. You're all the best!
S
scientist
Re: Hijacks & Other Content Changes - Report Here
kctipton, thank you for your reply. I am always looking for difficult problems. I just love them!
Right now I am exploring another really clever affiliate. I really admire this one. His site consists of numerous Clickbank and other affiliate links but he somehow manages to hide them so well that I have not managed to prove this yet. His links go to a normal (non affiliate) URL but when you proceed with the order you can verify that all come from the same Clickbank affiliate.
I think he has found a way to put a Clickbank cookie to his visitors PCs with the help of a cgi script but I am unable to prove this yet. I will make the post as soon as I will be able to find how he does it.
kctipton, thank you for your reply. I am always looking for difficult problems. I just love them!
Right now I am exploring another really clever affiliate. I really admire this one. His site consists of numerous Clickbank and other affiliate links but he somehow manages to hide them so well that I have not managed to prove this yet. His links go to a normal (non affiliate) URL but when you proceed with the order you can verify that all come from the same Clickbank affiliate.
I think he has found a way to put a Clickbank cookie to his visitors PCs with the help of a cgi script but I am unable to prove this yet. I will make the post as soon as I will be able to find how he does it.
jeanmanco
Member
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2003
- Messages
- 1,926
Re: Hijacks & Other Content Changes - Report Here
Re #64558. Dead links removed, thanks. http://www.ukgolfdays.com/ working OK for me.
Leaving more complex stuff for an editor more familiar with it.
Re #64558. Dead links removed, thanks. http://www.ukgolfdays.com/ working OK for me.
Leaving more complex stuff for an editor more familiar with it.
Re: Hijacks & Other Content Changes - Report Here ONLY
In the category:
http://dmoz.org/Business/Arts_and_Entertainment/Beauty_Pageants/
The following sites are not available anymore:
http://hometown.aol.com/cjrckivey9993/myhomepage/business.html - 404 Page not found
http://www.sunshinekidz.com/pageantinfo.htm - DNS or Server not found
http://www.carolinapageants.com- DNS or Server not found
http://www.usbeautiespageants.com- DNS or Server not found
http://www.ladylarge.be- DNS or Server not found
http://www.missinternet-2000.com- DNS or Server not found
http://www.geocities.com/missyazigi - 404 Page not found
http://www.mrsma.com- DNS or Server
http://pageantcanada.tripod.com - 404 Page not found
I checked more than once in different browsers. I've noticed this problem in the category has been there for months. Although I guesse it's possible a couple just happen to be down when I check. The 404's on free-domains (like tripod) are pretty obviously gone for good. The others I can't say. I'm not sure what DMOZ's definition of "gone" is (i.e. how much time and how many chances is a site give). Checking listing in Google, I find the "server not found" ones are either not their, have no-snippet, or have a cache that's years old. Usually if a sites down just temporarily, it would have a cache in Google (if it's in DMOZ).
So, I beleive all the above are dead and gone. But, can't promise.
disclosure: I submitted a url to this category. So, you know my bias.
In the category:
http://dmoz.org/Business/Arts_and_Entertainment/Beauty_Pageants/
The following sites are not available anymore:
http://hometown.aol.com/cjrckivey9993/myhomepage/business.html - 404 Page not found
http://www.sunshinekidz.com/pageantinfo.htm - DNS or Server not found
http://www.carolinapageants.com- DNS or Server not found
http://www.usbeautiespageants.com- DNS or Server not found
http://www.ladylarge.be- DNS or Server not found
http://www.missinternet-2000.com- DNS or Server not found
http://www.geocities.com/missyazigi - 404 Page not found
http://www.mrsma.com- DNS or Server
http://pageantcanada.tripod.com - 404 Page not found
I checked more than once in different browsers. I've noticed this problem in the category has been there for months. Although I guesse it's possible a couple just happen to be down when I check. The 404's on free-domains (like tripod) are pretty obviously gone for good. The others I can't say. I'm not sure what DMOZ's definition of "gone" is (i.e. how much time and how many chances is a site give). Checking listing in Google, I find the "server not found" ones are either not their, have no-snippet, or have a cache that's years old. Usually if a sites down just temporarily, it would have a cache in Google (if it's in DMOZ).
So, I beleive all the above are dead and gone. But, can't promise.
disclosure: I submitted a url to this category. So, you know my bias.
L
Luman
Re: Hijacks & Other Content Changes - Report Here ONLY
recreation/pets/ferrets
http://www.acmeferret.com/
This is a hijacked site and now contains pornographic content.
recreation/pets/ferrets
http://www.acmeferret.com/
This is a hijacked site and now contains pornographic content.
L
Luman
Re: Hijacks & Other Content Changes - Report Here ONLY
recreation/pets/ferrets
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~caride/ (invalid)
http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/1122/ (invalid)
http://www.fascinatingferrets.com/ (invalid)
http://hometown.aol.com/ferretcountry/ (invalid)
http://home.earthlink.net/~aprils_email/ (invalid)
http://www.ferretdoctor.com/ (not ferret related)
http://www.globalnetpools.com/finspace.html (not ferret related)
http://www.zyworld.com/mysteriousone/page1.htm (invalid)
http://www.ratedportal.org/ron/ferret/ (not ferret related)
All of the above sites are either no longer there or have subject matter that has nothing to do with ferrets.
recreation/pets/ferrets
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~caride/ (invalid)
http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/1122/ (invalid)
http://www.fascinatingferrets.com/ (invalid)
http://hometown.aol.com/ferretcountry/ (invalid)
http://home.earthlink.net/~aprils_email/ (invalid)
http://www.ferretdoctor.com/ (not ferret related)
http://www.globalnetpools.com/finspace.html (not ferret related)
http://www.zyworld.com/mysteriousone/page1.htm (invalid)
http://www.ratedportal.org/ron/ferret/ (not ferret related)
All of the above sites are either no longer there or have subject matter that has nothing to do with ferrets.
Re: Hijacks & Other Content Changes - Report Here ONLY
I've never seen a ferret porn site before
I've never seen a ferret porn site before
Re: Hijacks & Other Content Changes - Report Here ONLY
Category:
http://dmoz.org/Sports/Golf/Tournaments_and_Events/Tournament_Companies/
I called two websites from this category and they turned out to be the same company with multiple websites (pretty annoying). You can see they even have the same name and logo, phone number, etc.:
Golf Marketing and Insurance - http://hole-in-won.com/
and
Golf Marketing Incorporated - http://holeinone.bizland.com/
Just thought someone could clean this "spam" up to help out the next golf tournament director who views this category.
thanks
Category:
http://dmoz.org/Sports/Golf/Tournaments_and_Events/Tournament_Companies/
I called two websites from this category and they turned out to be the same company with multiple websites (pretty annoying). You can see they even have the same name and logo, phone number, etc.:
Golf Marketing and Insurance - http://hole-in-won.com/
and
Golf Marketing Incorporated - http://holeinone.bizland.com/
Just thought someone could clean this "spam" up to help out the next golf tournament director who views this category.
thanks
S
scientist
Re: Hijacks & Other Content Changes - Report Here
Something went wrong with my research (#64630). The hidden (with cgi script) affiliate links have been removed and the site seems clear right now. I do not know what has happened. I have made some hypotheses:
I have tried to get the code of the script. This action could have leaded the affiliate to become more careful and suspicious. He could have visited this forum and he could have seen my post above, and decided to remove all evidence in order to keep his site in Dmoz.
I do not know if the above is what has happened. I will keep an eye on this site and let you know how it goes. This time I will avoid posting. I will prefer the direct contact method.
I guess that these things happen when you deal with clever and careful affiliates. For now I will post an easy one:
Category: http://www.dmoz.org/Business/Small_Business/Home_Office/Resources/
Site details: BetterHomeBiz4u.com - Home based business resources for the home office entrepreneur.
His home page consists of affiliate links to SFI, Sitesell, Instant Sales Letters, Get Response, Commission Junction
The rest of links point to inner pages like sfi_marketing.html, Opportunities.html that are dedicated to affiliate links also. The rest of the home page is a bunch of links to other sites (a result of the abused in our days “front page link exchange” method), 4 links pointing to search engines due to some myth that this will help your SE ranking and 2-3 links to articles.
The only useful content in this site is the text of the Google ads.
Something went wrong with my research (#64630). The hidden (with cgi script) affiliate links have been removed and the site seems clear right now. I do not know what has happened. I have made some hypotheses:
I have tried to get the code of the script. This action could have leaded the affiliate to become more careful and suspicious. He could have visited this forum and he could have seen my post above, and decided to remove all evidence in order to keep his site in Dmoz.
I do not know if the above is what has happened. I will keep an eye on this site and let you know how it goes. This time I will avoid posting. I will prefer the direct contact method.
I guess that these things happen when you deal with clever and careful affiliates. For now I will post an easy one:
Category: http://www.dmoz.org/Business/Small_Business/Home_Office/Resources/
Site details: BetterHomeBiz4u.com - Home based business resources for the home office entrepreneur.
His home page consists of affiliate links to SFI, Sitesell, Instant Sales Letters, Get Response, Commission Junction
The rest of links point to inner pages like sfi_marketing.html, Opportunities.html that are dedicated to affiliate links also. The rest of the home page is a bunch of links to other sites (a result of the abused in our days “front page link exchange” method), 4 links pointing to search engines due to some myth that this will help your SE ranking and 2-3 links to articles.
The only useful content in this site is the text of the Google ads.