Whois of (possible) submitters

[GeorgeTH]

I'm just checking (or in some cases re-checking = 2nd time) several applications for submitter passwords, and came to wonder what are red flag reasons for you guys?

1. fake whois - some even have a 'real' looking whois in some of their domains, and contact email at another adult domain - you look up that and find completely different info... Like the last one I checked: a proper sounding address in Dresden/Germany, email webmaster at c***pixs.com - which is registered to an address in Russia. The Dresden address is probably taken from a phone book, and the guy will be totally surprised if the police comes to raid his house for distributing illigal porn... Nice One!

2. Web server hosts ++ websites (replace ++ with any figure above 60) - makes me suspicious, too! Cheat today with one domain, get it blacklisted, use the next tomorrow kinda people... I can understand somebody having a number of domains, but over 50 on one server must mean most aren't overly active...

3. Use wellknown site(s) as reference, but I can't find anywhere a single listing with their domain name(s). (My form gives the option to enter 3 more domains apart from the ones used for sample URLs.)

I think I have to tighten the rules for password applications a little more

[Linkster]

GeorgeTH - I agree with the first point - although even worse is the people that are using "private registration" services to hide their domain info - in most cases that I can think of, LLs and TGPs are starting to not accept those type of domains

On the second point - this is a case where a little more looking will probably help - there are people out there that use "virtual hosting" that could end up on an IP with 500 other domains - although the only way to verify that the other domains do not belong to the same person is to check the other domains (do a reverse IP to see all of the domains and check their whois) to verify that they do not belong to the same person - or Group
Its a little time consuming, but once its done it is shared (at least from what Ive seen within both TGP and LL communities) with others to let them know of certain groups trying to load a bunch of domains at once.

the third point - for a tgp at least - you could use http://www.callpri.com/webmaster.html
to check a little easier - but if you feel uncomfortable with the submitter, its probably best to go to a msg board for that niche, most niches have some sort of gathering place for the tgp owners, and ask around - and of course - last resort - its your list

[RawAlex]

George, your post is a clear indication of why more and more TGPs and link sites are going to private or closed submit systems - they really do want to know who they are dealing with. As I mentioned in another thread here, bogus, misleading, or incomplete whois info is a major MAJOR red flag, amoungst a list of other flags that I have. There is no reason to deal with someone who isn't in the mood to reveal themselves.

I have heard about 50 lame ass excuses on this (my favorite being "porn is illegal in my country"... to which I answer "so why should I help you break the law?"). many russian webmasters attempt to avoid getting knocked off of programs by getting PO boxes or mailing addresses in the US to remail their checks and such, but at the end of the day, they almost always reveal themselves in some other way. If they are that intent to try to get around the blockages, then they won't have a problem fucking me over right after.

If you are not comfortable with whois info, don't list the sites. There are plenty of good people out there submitting, you don't have to list just anyone.

Alex

[GeorgeTH]

Originally Posted by Linkster

[..]On the second point - this is a case where a little more looking will probably help - there are people out there that use "virtual hosting" that could end up on an IP with 500 other domains - although the only way to verify that the other domains do not belong to the same person is to check the other domains (do a reverse IP to see all of the domains and check their whois) to verify that they do not belong to the same person - or Group
Its a little time consuming, but once its done it is shared (at least from what Ive seen within both TGP and LL communities) with others to let them know of certain groups trying to load a bunch of domains at once.

Wouldn't most decent hosting services allocate at least one IP address to each of their clients - meaning that a virtual account on a box shared with 10 others would have at least one individual IP?
Nevertheless: this is only one more indication after other info gave me already the feeling that there's something 'fishy'... Not my only criteria.

Originally Posted by Linkster

the third point - for a tgp at least - you could use http://www.callpri.com/webmaster.html
to check a little easier

I think it was me who first listed the callpri link here! I'm still using it, but I believe the database hasn't been updated since October 2004, and more recently it seems it actually has been emptied - so sadly it's of not much use anymore!
The last few times I used it I cross-checked with my own listings and only found old submissions, now I can't find a single one of my own links despite submitting more (and getting better listings) than late last year...

[Linkster]

Originally Posted by GeorgeTH

Wouldn't most decent hosting services allocate at least one IP address to each of their clients - meaning that a virtual account on a box shared with 10 others would have at least one individual IP?

George - that would be ideal - but unfortunately - a lot of people that are getting into this biz are getting virtual hosting with 500 people already on an IP - of course if they get into the TGP game theyre gonna get shut down pretty fast for BW since theyre usually pretty limited - so it will give you a good indication on whether they are "hobbyists" or serious about sticking around for a while

[Kappi]

Originally Posted by GeorgeTH

Wouldn't most decent hosting services allocate at least one IP address to each of their clients - meaning that a virtual account on a box shared with 10 others would have at least one individual IP?

No. Almost all so called virtual or shared hosting accounts share a server and one or sometimes a few ips.

Originally Posted by GeorgeTH

Nevertheless: this is only one more indication after other info gave me already the feeling that there's something 'fishy'... Not my only criteria.

Why is that? That its a newbie.. ok.. but fishy. Why?

[dareutwo]

GeorgeTH - I think you're trying to over think this problem.
If you don't feel comfortable with your Gut reaction.. decline it, move on.
Next month a thousand more will be in the wings and we get to have this same conversation again.