I was browsing a few warez forums looking for cracked versions of iPanel (No, I dont need one, I was just looking to see if the latest version has been cracked so that I can notify Ryan -- Whom, Im sorta working for -- once v3 comes out, hopefully, I'll get picked up for good :D)..

Anyways, While on my search, I noticed several webhosting companies advertising on these "warez" forums... So, what do you think about this??

It really depends if it was running through a service like adsense, where the ads are pulled and generally not posted to one site or genre, or if they were definatly placed intentionally on the warez site.
Another factor to think about is wether or not the link for the advertisment has a unique referral/tracking id, which would mean that the hosting company doesn't know they're a warez company and the warez site is just an affiliate.

I'd like to know a bit more about the scenario before I pass judgement, but I say if the hosting company was doing it intentionally then that wouldn't be a good thing.

Most of them are banners from the company that is linked directly to the company's homepage (no referral linking or affiliate linking) --Which I find odd o.O

<a href="http://www.**HOST**REMOVED**.com"><img src="http://www.**HOST**REMOVED**.com/**HOST**BANNER**REMOVED**" border="0" width="468" alt="PLANS START AT $2.95/MO" /></a>

Whuhoh.
In that case, I'd definatly say that is a terrible choice by the company - even if it is traffic, its not good traffic and you don't want your site to be percieved as a warez simpathizer. I'd post their name, just so we know who not to deal with.

Whuhoh.
In that case, I'd definatly say that is a terrible choice by the company - even if it is traffic, its not good traffic and you don't want your site to be percieved as a warez simpathizer. I'd post their name, just so we know who not to deal with.
Why shouldnt it be good traffic? I'd chose my hoster based on quality not where it advertises.

A warez forum is not good traffic, because they're far more likely to bring pirated material to your server or use it for malicious purposes.

Beside that this is thinking in stereotypes I doubt that the actual users will store such data.

Stereotyping people who participate in illegal activites.

...

Lemme guess, you're a big warez fan.

Yeah, I do warez 24/7 :rolleyes:

This is about webhosting not whether someone uses software which he didnt pay for.

Assuming their users didn't use your servers to host illegal files, which they probabley won't as warez users arn't going to host warez - they're just freeloaders. As freeloaders, if they can't pay for software, what makes you think they'll pay for web hosting? Although I don't know if advertising on a warez forum will bring abusive traffic, I doubt it will be financially supportive traffic.

As freeloaders, if they can't pay for software, what makes you think they'll pay for web hosting?
I guess there is a difference between $ 9 and $ 600. Also hosting cant be really copied like software.

Although I don't know if advertising on a warez forum will bring abusive traffic, I doubt it will be financially supportive traffic.
I'd say it is as good as any other advertising on non-hosting related sites.

I'd say its most likely people who are in the warez community. I think its a terrible idea, your advertising to people who suck up bandwidth, leech and put illegal files on servers. Why would you want to advertise to that genre?

Personally, I would think it would be more of a security threat than anything...

Warez and IRC advertising only attract problems, but not a good customers - tested many times by myself

Hehe. That would be me whose been advertising on those boards. Usually you'll find people with ideas and hopes of making money, thats why their browsing nulled script forums.. they just cant find their niche and when they find it they need hosting.
And there.. low and behold.. the advertisement to my low priced hosting services.
Criticize away.. your just jealous you didn't think of it first ;) (and no -- all the scripts on my site ARE licensed. and yes -- we do not allow unlicensed scripts to be run on our service. so whats so dishonest in that?)

Put it this way, where you advertise will have an effect as to what kind of people may potentially sign up with your service.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Exactly

You might not be doing anything illegal, however there is a good chance that your clients will or at the very least attempt to, exposing you, the host, to a potentially opening up one large can of worms.

Perhaps you allow pornographic content. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that necessarily though the warez community is definetily a market for that.

I think it would be a bad thing for the hosts since you are targeting users who generally host warez and such.

I think it would be a bad thing for the hosts since you are targeting users who generally host warez and such.
You would rather target their visitors.

Personally I wouldnt advertise on a warez forum unless you are providing free hosting. People who visit warez forums are people who dont want to pay for things. Try to think about your target audience first then decided on the appropiate website to advertise your hosting.

I think it would be a bad thing for the hosts since you are targeting users who generally host warez and such.

"You would rather target their visitors."

I think when vampline said hosts he was talking about the host that would be advertising on the warez site. And by users I think he was talking about the visitors that you refer to.

If that is the case then I agree. Unless that crowd is the crowd the particular host wants as clients. Then go for it. There are hosts out there doing very well taking this approach.

However, for a typical, mainstream, host it would be a bad business move in my opinion.

I think when vampline said hosts he was talking about the host that would be advertising on the warez site. And by users I think he was talking about the visitors that you refer to.

If that is the case then I agree. Unless that crowd is the crowd the particular host wants as clients. Then go for it. There are hosts out there doing very well taking this approach.

However, for a typical, mainstream, host it would be a bad business move in my opinion.
Yes, I understood it that way too, but I dont see why it should be a bad business move. Advertising is advertising.

Yes, I understood it that way too, but I dont see why it should be a bad business move. Advertising is advertising.

Well, I didn't think this thread would go on this long actually because I can think of many reasons.

First of all, I'm sure you are aware of the concept of 'wrong place at the wrong time.' Well this happens because you associate yourself with certain people giving the message that you are similar to them.

The same applies towards advertisements. You want to associate yourself with a certain class. I'm not saying warez sites are necessarily lower. However, you will be labeled as that type of site. Maybe that is what you want, however proves that advertising is not always advertising.

Another reason: There will be a good percentage that will want to host illegal material on your servers. This opens you, as their host, up to legal repercutions.

Something else:

If someone downloads pirated material you have to look at the character of that type of individual. Honest people want honest hosts. Honest hosts SHOULD want honest people.

Now, I'm not saying all people who download pirated material are dishonest or anything of that sort. I'm not going to say I've never downloaded anything illegal. However, some what of a demographic (not stereotype) can and should be looked at.

the customers you get from advertising on warez sites will generally bring you credit card chargebacks and spam complaints

Lets think a moment..

Is the law the same in all nations? No.

Does the law of the United States apply outside the United States? No.

Don't assume that "illegal" software is really illegal where the servers are located or where the webhosting provider is based. Copyrights are a grey area right now in some areas of the world.

the customers you get from advertising on warez sites will generally bring you credit card chargebacks and spam complaints
Did you advertise on Warez sites and do you have experience with customers coming from there?

Since this thread, I have also noticed that their are DEDICATED SERVER PROVIDERS advertising on WAREZ forums... WTFBBQ!

Is the law the same in all nations? No.

Does the law of the United States apply outside the United States? No.

Don't assume that "illegal" software is really illegal where the servers are located or where the webhosting provider is based. Copyrights are a grey area right now in some areas of the world.

Realize that international treaties on movies in particular generally make this material illegal most places. And sure, it might be legal in a particular situation, though that is not the point.

The point is that you have to look at the character of the types of people generally at these sites. For example, many of those visitors are looking for credit card information. Wouldn't that be ironic if you recieved a fraudulent order from c.c. information found on the very page you were advertising.

If the risks fit into your business plan then go for it. However, generally it is a bad idea.


Did you advertise on Warez sites and do you have experience with customers coming from there?


I do not think he needs any first hand experience. I'm sure he knows what kind of material is on these types of sites and the forseeable issues are right there.

However, like I said before, if advertising on these sites works for you, go for it. But for the most part it is a bad idea.

Is the law the same in all nations? No.

Does the law of the United States apply outside the United States? No.

Don't assume that "illegal" software is really illegal where the servers are located or where the webhosting provider is based. Copyrights are a grey area right now in some areas of the world.

Realize that international treaties on movies in particular generally make this material illegal most places. And sure, it might be legal in a particular situation, though that is not the point.

The point is that you have to look at the character of the types of people generally at these sites. For example, many of those visitors are looking for credit card information. Wouldn't that be ironic if you recieved a fraudulent order from c.c. information found on the very page you were advertising.

If the risks fit into your business plan then go for it. However, generally it is a bad idea.


Did you advertise on Warez sites and do you have experience with customers coming from there?


I do not think he needs any first hand experience. I'm sure he knows what kind of material is on these types of sites and the forseeable issues are right there.

However, like I said before, if advertising on these sites works for you, go for it. But for the most part it is a bad idea.

Realize that international treaties on movies in particular generally make this material illegal most places. And sure, it might be legal in a particular situation, though that is not the point.
Most western places.

The point is that you have to look at the character of the types of people generally at these sites. For example, many of those visitors are looking for credit card information.
How can you say this? People visiting a warez site are after software, not credit card informations.


I do not think he needs any first hand experience. I'm sure he knows what kind of material is on these types of sites and the forseeable issues are right there.
When someone is stating something, he/she should have experience in that? How else coukd he/she say such things?

However, like I said before, if advertising on these sites works for you, go for it. But for the most part it is a bad idea.
Yes, it should be everyone's own decisions and posting statements about "evading" are unnecessary.

Is the law the same in all nations? No.

Does the law of the United States apply outside the United States? No.

Don't assume that "illegal" software is really illegal where the servers are located or where the webhosting provider is based. Copyrights are a grey area right now in some areas of the world.

Realize that international treaties on movies in particular generally make this material illegal most places. And sure, it might be legal in a particular situation, though that is not the point.

The point is that you have to look at the character of the types of people generally at these sites. For example, many of those visitors are looking for credit card information. Wouldn't that be ironic if you recieved a fraudulent order from c.c. information found on the very page you were advertising.

If the risks fit into your business plan then go for it. However, generally it is a bad idea.


Did you advertise on Warez sites and do you have experience with customers coming from there?


I do not think he needs any first hand experience. I'm sure he knows what kind of material is on these types of sites and the forseeable issues are right there.

However, like I said before, if advertising on these sites works for you, go for it. But for the most part it is a bad idea.

Hi Zoid,

We hosted a tracker for a file sharing service and advertised on the tracker.

As you probably know, some of the users of any file sharing service will be distributing files they have no legitimate right to distribute.

We didn't do it to appeal to the warez folks, but to the legitimate ones who were ready to graduate from hosting on their own pc to hosting with us.

This was hotline by the way, a rather cool all in one (chat, discussion, files, etc) tool that could be used by both mac and windows users.

LukeKrogh, you just reposted the text I already replied to.

Hi Zoid,

We hosted a tracker for a file sharing service and advertised on the tracker.

As you probably know, some of the users of any file sharing service will be distributing files they have no legitimate right to distribute.
But file sharing is different from warez sites.

everything is different from everything else zoid, so why don't you tell me in what _significant_ way file sharing is different from warez sites?

In that, that visitor's of warez sites do not host any of these files.

Anyhow, can you tell us how many chargebacks and spam complaints you got from customers coming from there?

Sorry about that repeat post. I'm not sure what happened. I submitted the post and then it said I cannot post twice in 90 seconds. I had another post I had just posted in another thread. So I came back to it about 5 minutes later and tried again.

Most western places.

Actually, I know that the United States has agreements with at least several European countries.


How can you say this? People visiting a warez site are after software, not credit card informations.



I would not disagree. The credit card example was just that: an example. There is information on warez sites about obtaining such information.

What I was getting at is that if someone is willing to obtain free software, why wouldn't they try to obtain hosting for negative means or by negative means?


When someone is stating something, he/she should have experience in that? How else coukd he/she say such things?


Of course experience is the only way to get a real good understanding. However, the statement that he made can be come to without direct experience. The material on Warez sites is usually not legal material. This shows the character of the individuals who might perhaps become clients. Putting 2 and 2 together one can see the possible problems.


Yes, it should be everyone's own decisions and posting statements about "evading" are unnecessary.


Evading? I'm sorry, I don't understand. Evading warez sites?


Anyhow, can you tell us how many chargebacks and spam complaints you got from customers coming from there?

Because you do have actual experience though I would be interested in knowing this also.

Thanks.

Sorry about that repeat post. I'm not sure what happened. I submitted the post and then it said I cannot post twice in 90 seconds. I had another post I had just posted in another thread. So I came back to it about 5 minutes later and tried again.
No problem :).

I would not disagree. The credit card example was just that: an example. There is information on warez sites about obtaining such information.
There might be such information on particular crack sites or sites about hacking, but it does not have a direct relation to warez.

What I was getting at is that if someone is willing to obtain free software, why wouldn't they try to obtain hosting for negative means or by negative means?
Why would they? Trying to obtain software for free does not mean the same person does everything else for "negative" means as well. Someone might be after Flash to create some animation for his paid hosting.

Of course experience is the only way to get a real good understanding. However, the statement that he made can be come to without direct experience. The material on Warez sites is usually not legal material. This shows the character of the individuals who might perhaps become clients. Putting 2 and 2 together one can see the possible problems.
As mentioned before, I do not see a real connection there.

Evading? I'm sorry, I don't understand. Evading warez sites?
Sorry, I was referring to a previous statement that a host advertising at such sites should be "reported" here in order to evade its services. Reminds me a bit of a pillory and is unnecessary.

There might be such information on particular crack sites or sites about hacking, but it does not have a direct relation to warez.

Okay then, well now there's 1 topic that has been resolved then:)


Why would they? Trying to obtain software for free does not mean the same person does everything else for "negative" means as well. Someone might be after Flash to create some animation for his paid hosting.


Of course. Who's to say that he won't try to scam something from your hosting or violate your TOS. I'm just saying that you are automatically targeting an audience that in many instances would prove to be not so beneficial.


As mentioned before, I do not see a real connection there.


The connection is simple. Study a topic and you are able to develop ideas about that topic. History can tell you about the future. The same idea goes here just don't think about this literally. If someone knows the generalities, he is able to make generic assumptions.


Sorry, I was referring to a previous statement that a host advertising at such sites should be "reported" here in order to evade its services. Reminds me a bit of a pillory and is unnecessary.


Oh, okay. No problem. I would agree that reporting such hosts is unnecessary. If that advertising technique is working for that host and that host is not doing anything illegal then there shouldn't be a reason to report that host based on that info. alone.

It seems we are more in agreement than it once appeared. I am not entirely against advertising on warez sites. For my purposes I would not advertise there. If someone else is doing well by that means, then great, good for them:)

Beside that this is thinking in stereotypes I doubt that the actual users will store such data.

Right. I'd be more concerned with these people trying to install IRC bouncers and who knows what else on your servers.

In my personal opinio, most people who do warez are students and people with generally little money. However, if you advertise at, say, a webhosting forum, you're targetting people who have slightly more money, and/or already have a webhosting account.