23
PMC should ban 3rd party downloads
Proff_C
WonderBoots
Just in case you're not aware of where these downloads are taking you.....
Come across so many of these....Adfly..Shorte.ST...and probably others...the idea is you watch an ad, then you get your link.....except they want you to install a Search Hijacker App from Google Chrome..... MultyApp..etc....they are all known search hijackers...listed on Malwarebytes.
They monitor your internet activity and target you...your personnal details are not secure through these apps....
For a game that is aimed at mainly the younger audience...i would have thought PMC would have a tighter reign on this...and not let kids be redirected to malware ....
Anyway...my 2 cents...i'm careful...my security software warns me, and i double check anything i install...when in doubt...google the website name and put scam or malware at the end.
Come across so many of these....Adfly..Shorte.ST...and probably others...the idea is you watch an ad, then you get your link.....except they want you to install a Search Hijacker App from Google Chrome..... MultyApp..etc....they are all known search hijackers...listed on Malwarebytes.
They monitor your internet activity and target you...your personnal details are not secure through these apps....
For a game that is aimed at mainly the younger audience...i would have thought PMC would have a tighter reign on this...and not let kids be redirected to malware ....
Anyway...my 2 cents...i'm careful...my security software warns me, and i double check anything i install...when in doubt...google the website name and put scam or malware at the end.
Create an account or sign in to comment.
90
13
Pro tip. Dont click on ads you'll be fine.
3
lol...but i didn't realise i had to be beach body ready, until i saw the ad........even though i live in the middle of Western Australia...maybe they meant salt lake ready?
1
Yeah but some links that bring you to adfly download stuff onto your computer without you clicking anything. It's called auto download
2
I don't think (Ad link removed) sites do that. Eventually you just accept a notification feed but you can block it in browser settings later.
4
The problem is that adf.ly doesn't really control or moderate what is displayed, and it changes depending on region and other factors. The last times I investigated this, an adfly link for me would redirect to three different sites that wanted access to show notifications; if I denied all three, all good and it let me download, but to expect everybody to know that is a bit silly.
Also, at times the page will just not continue if you'd already denied the notification request, preventing a download entirely. It was hit/miss.
And then there's the redirections to those "Microsoft Windows has detected a virus, please call this Indian call center to receive your free scam" that don't give you the download at all..
Also, at times the page will just not continue if you'd already denied the notification request, preventing a download entirely. It was hit/miss.
And then there's the redirections to those "Microsoft Windows has detected a virus, please call this Indian call center to receive your free scam" that don't give you the download at all..
1
That works, but some sites get a little too in-your-face. Plus there are the sites that have ads marked "download" next to the real download button. Honestly, those type of ads should be outright illegal. The point is sometimes mistakes happen, especially on the sites with the more intrusive and shadier ads, the sites that caused people invent adblockers.
11
FWIW, if egregious ad site usage is reported and/or we can catch it redirecting to malware, etc, we do ask them to change the link or attempt to talk to the site owners to resolve the issue.
That being said, we are extremely close to banning all ad links altogether. It's become a huge issue.
That being said, we are extremely close to banning all ad links altogether. It's become a huge issue.
1
Well this is what i suspected...that they would get banned...i'd be hoping with the collective minds of people that contribute on here, they'd be able to brainstorm a solution...
As an idea...and i'm just throwing this out there...if PMC was to expand it's horizons...you have all thse contributed works on here...heaps of skilled creators...why not exhibit them?...set up a Planet Minecraft Youtube channel?...showcase works..get revenue..i know it won't happen overnight, but individual channels get millions of views...and there's god knows how many finished works on here sitting on the shelves.....just a thought.
As an idea...and i'm just throwing this out there...if PMC was to expand it's horizons...you have all thse contributed works on here...heaps of skilled creators...why not exhibit them?...set up a Planet Minecraft Youtube channel?...showcase works..get revenue..i know it won't happen overnight, but individual channels get millions of views...and there's god knows how many finished works on here sitting on the shelves.....just a thought.
6
Adfly, being one of the biggest ones, has a serious issue right now honestly. It used to be fine where yknow it'd to the simple "u need 2 update ur edge", easy to ignore, or whatever and you could skip without issue, but now it either, even with an adblocker, redirects you to a whole new site that's malicious, every time you open it/you can press "skip ad", or it sits you in a loop of "please accept notifications from x" and once you accept them all then get you to the link... the notifications spam you. Why. Or you just get nothing, even if you reload the page.
I haven't had an issue with adfocus yet, and I've definitely not had an issue with mediafire or dropbox itself, so on my end it just seems to be adfly, unfortunately its used a lot. There's times that if there's no link to go around adfly, I can't download things. It sucks when the community has such amazing resource packs and whatnot.
I haven't had an issue with adfocus yet, and I've definitely not had an issue with mediafire or dropbox itself, so on my end it just seems to be adfly, unfortunately its used a lot. There's times that if there's no link to go around adfly, I can't download things. It sucks when the community has such amazing resource packs and whatnot.
1
This is the problem I noticed with adfly. Since a few months ago that I got a job, I decided to remove all adfly links on my main map and just direct them to my download, no ads required. It used to be an okay solution to make some money (I got $20 just one time 2 years ago from a shoutout), but now it's so broken and annoying.
1
the issue i had was it wanted me to download a 'Google Add-on'...and a google search of that add-on warned me it was malicious....so Google don't monitor their add-ons either...
11/01/2019 1:51 pm
This reply was removed by the poster or a moderator.
2
Use Tor, Tor is completely anonymous and you can see darker websites
2
I like the new MS Edge based on chromium. It's very good. And you can have collection bookmarks!
2
This was the most bs message ever regarding websites like adf.ly or such since they display/work pretty much the same in every browser also unless you have a *really old* pc (or too many addons) it should not be slow either.
that said i dont have *any* anti virus or adblock (the only thing i do is a occasional virus check every few months which so far is always completely result-less) and i have absolutely no issues being redirected on such websites, it literally says wait 5 sec then click skip, if people are too stupid to read then they perhaps should not use a pc at all.
that said i dont have *any* anti virus or adblock (the only thing i do is a occasional virus check every few months which so far is always completely result-less) and i have absolutely no issues being redirected on such websites, it literally says wait 5 sec then click skip, if people are too stupid to read then they perhaps should not use a pc at all.
1
lol...bit touchy there champ....why would i make something like this up?....i can give you an example if you like... Windfall Haven download...i'd like to check it out, but am constantly hit with an install something request and can't proceed past it....maybe others are doing something right and getting it?....have a go yourself and let me know if you succeed..
1
Greetings, sorry if the message came off as too "touchy",i even tried not using too harsh language like the f word above so apologies.
I wonder, why do you write that you never had a problem with google in the comment at the bottom, and then in this response you reply like you are agreeing with the almighty birb's" points?
Side stuff aside, i was able to visit the first shortest link on the PMC thread which put me to the creators website first (quite the ass move imo, why no direct link to the content you requested smh) and instead of getting the direct link you had to click on ANOTHER link on his website to get his build, which - of course - was behind another shorte.st URL.
Just out of spite of the creator ill give you the direct link of the haven map here: have fun
If the 3rd party website used on a submission is a different one from the usual ones (shorte.st/adf.ly etc.) also you can use the report button if you are 100% sure and the mods can check out the link and see if said website is a phishy one.
To be completely frank though since i hate url shorters myself (and shorte.st is the most cancerous of em all so far ( i mean heck, ive been on russian/chinese websites before downloading shady stuff which was less of a struggle than using shorte.st )
so if you are sick of such, simply ignore said content on PMC, skip it, perhaps make a comment calling out the creator to use a proper platform or just allow donations, even when people really rarely donate (sadly i guess), its imo still a better way than having the possibility of malicious ads.
Small tip though for shorte.st atleast, if you click on the "skip ad" button it sometimes opens a new tab, simply close said tab and double click the skip button, that way it should work, if the ad however closes the shortest tab and displays a different website you sadly have to re-click on the link in the thread and try again and hope you dont get a ad that closes the shorte.st-tab.
Have a nice day!
I wonder, why do you write that you never had a problem with google in the comment at the bottom, and then in this response you reply like you are agreeing with the almighty birb's" points?
Side stuff aside, i was able to visit the first shortest link on the PMC thread which put me to the creators website first (quite the ass move imo, why no direct link to the content you requested smh) and instead of getting the direct link you had to click on ANOTHER link on his website to get his build, which - of course - was behind another shorte.st URL.
Just out of spite of the creator ill give you the direct link of the haven map here: have fun
If the 3rd party website used on a submission is a different one from the usual ones (shorte.st/adf.ly etc.) also you can use the report button if you are 100% sure and the mods can check out the link and see if said website is a phishy one.
To be completely frank though since i hate url shorters myself (and shorte.st is the most cancerous of em all so far ( i mean heck, ive been on russian/chinese websites before downloading shady stuff which was less of a struggle than using shorte.st )
so if you are sick of such, simply ignore said content on PMC, skip it, perhaps make a comment calling out the creator to use a proper platform or just allow donations, even when people really rarely donate (sadly i guess), its imo still a better way than having the possibility of malicious ads.
Small tip though for shorte.st atleast, if you click on the "skip ad" button it sometimes opens a new tab, simply close said tab and double click the skip button, that way it should work, if the ad however closes the shortest tab and displays a different website you sadly have to re-click on the link in the thread and try again and hope you dont get a ad that closes the shorte.st-tab.
Have a nice day!
1
Ah okay...well thanks for that link and investigating it for me...much appreciated...did you have an adblocker running at the time?...i'm wondering if that might be whats causing these Ad sites to resort to " Install to proceed"...i got a glimpse of the creators website, then a redirect...redirect...redirect....the Adsites are possibly peaved about Adblock and just frustrate you enough to turn it off.....i'll try that out and see where i get....thanks again mate!
1
On Shortest you have to disable adblock, or atleast it does detect it, not sure having a script blocking extension would help here, once i turn off the adblock it works fine, it will open 1-3 extra tabs usually but i just download what i need and then close all the tabs that got opened.
1
lol...nope...i didn't have Adblock on anyway...reporting it?....i dunno...i'm new here and not looking to rock the boat...i'll just hope the admins might notice..
2
yeah...got all the bells and whistles....adblock, malware,antivirus...haven't had a problem with Google...i'm pretty off-grid with my system anyway.....joys of building your own computer...
5
I Disagree, It's not like you can't install adblock....Or pm the content creator to request a direct download. Adlinks are basically the only way besides donations that a content creater can earn any income from spending 1k+ hours on it. Also, I'd bet if people started donating than adlinks wouldn't be as big of a problem :) (Also, many content creators [Like myself] put a no adlink download in the description)
2
Unfortunately, the internet is constantly evolving. Some sites are already starting to deploy anti-adblock measures. Adfly basicly says "You shall not pass!" until you turn off your adblocker. Seriously, I couldn't get the site to send me to the real download until I turned off my adblocker.
1
And as they do that Adblock is evolving :), also, for adfly, just disable the push notification problem in chrome://settings/content/notifications.
1
Yeah i agree that we can't just have files on here...and there should be 3rd party downloads,...but the irony that my post was flagged because i mentioned adware and malware sites...yet i can be sent to them from content creators here?....well....it needs regulating...or a system of trust levels for 3rd party links.....i'd be curious to know if an attempt to download from a dodgy site, constitutes as a download for PMC and pushes that content higher up in the ranks...so as to be viewed first etc...those that do the right thing, i appreciate that...i just find it offputting, as a new member that 2 out of 3 links are untrustworthy, and it ruins the experience...not just for me , but other new people, and given as MC is rising in popularity....it should be given some consideration i think..
1
I see your position here, The rule used to be (I think it's been changed) that unless somebody was level 20 (takes a while and many submissions) then they couldn't use any download links besides mediafire/mega/drive etc.
1
ah...that's interesting...yeah one of them is from a level one...i've only ticked over to 3 in a few days...so it seems easy for a new creator to go down the ad revenue path, right from the get go....i think people should earn their stripes before that can happen..another point of reform...build a strong leadership...show how it's done...be the example....with any luck, the moderators are seeing this feedback....they're not the harshest rules...but they set the example...
4
Eh no. Banning the adfly links is not a problem, I guess, since they're getting infected.
However, if you were to ban third-party downloads PMC would have to host every single file themselves, which is unrealistic, especially considering the fact people like me tend to have worlds several gigabytes in size.
However, if you were to ban third-party downloads PMC would have to host every single file themselves, which is unrealistic, especially considering the fact people like me tend to have worlds several gigabytes in size.
2
If only adfly and others didn't care more about money than a lot of people's internet safety. It's a real shame that money is this important these days.
2
Money has always been important for sites to run. It's the right balance that counts though
3
If a creator wants money from what they made, there are three easy steps that require NO ONE to lose their safety.
1. Create a youtube account
2. Upload your creations on there
3. Activate ads
Simple.
1. Create a youtube account
2. Upload your creations on there
3. Activate ads
Simple.
4
thats great and all, but you need a following of 1000 people and have 4000 watch hours thats a lot for anyone to achieve
2
What about Proff_C's response to Paril:
Well this is what i suspected...that they would get banned...i'd be hoping with the collective minds of people that contribute on here, they'd be able to brainstorm a solution...As an idea...and i'm just throwing this out there...if PMC was to expand it's horizons...you have all thse contributed works on here...heaps of skilled creators...why not exhibit them?...set up a Planet Minecraft Youtube channel?...showcase works..get revenue..i know it won't happen overnight, but individual channels get millions of views...and there's god knows how many finished works on here sitting on the shelves.....just a thought.
1
so what? With less than that, the creators won't be making more than one or two dollars anyways.
3
Ah, gah, I could heartily agree. While content creators do like to get a payment for all their hard work, adfly and other malicious ad sites have taken things too far. I've gotten to the point where I'm unable to download and content due to adfly, the most used way to receive money for ads, being taken over by viruses & malicious downloads to the point where I can't access the download without downloading one of these :c
3
They need third-party websites to host the downloads for maps that are bigger than the maximum file size, lots of mapmakers and modders need them because often they go over that file size even with compression.
I agree though that people should not be able to directly profit off of consumers downloading their map, and something like a bot to detect if the link contains the domain-name of "adfly" or "shorte.st" and other websites that make money from redirecting hyperlinks.
I agree though that people should not be able to directly profit off of consumers downloading their map, and something like a bot to detect if the link contains the domain-name of "adfly" or "shorte.st" and other websites that make money from redirecting hyperlinks.
3
I don't think they should be banned. I've seen plenty of links for dropbox and media fire that are totaly legit and "clean".
However, most of the adfly links I've used border on the malicious side. I've seen plenty of shady popups and even a couple porn ads on the adfly site. Minecraft is PG (or whatever the game equivalent is), adult ads are not. Plus my more secure browser, which works well on most sites including this one, almost completly breaks adfly.
I wouldn't say 3rd party links should be banned, but PMC should at least check the links being posted. When I post a data pack, PMC sends me a message that basicly states they need to check it. Why not check the links too? Seriously, why!?
Also, I totally get why a creator would want to make a little something, but there are sites with better ads. Ads that are not harmful/adult. Plus most creators usually have supporters on sites like Patreon.
However, most of the adfly links I've used border on the malicious side. I've seen plenty of shady popups and even a couple porn ads on the adfly site. Minecraft is PG (or whatever the game equivalent is), adult ads are not. Plus my more secure browser, which works well on most sites including this one, almost completly breaks adfly.
I wouldn't say 3rd party links should be banned, but PMC should at least check the links being posted. When I post a data pack, PMC sends me a message that basicly states they need to check it. Why not check the links too? Seriously, why!?
Also, I totally get why a creator would want to make a little something, but there are sites with better ads. Ads that are not harmful/adult. Plus most creators usually have supporters on sites like Patreon.
2
Yes...this is more my point....it just wasn't a catchy title to get attention...lol....a moderator said my post was flagged because i mentioned the very sites we are trying to avoid, and yet in 2 clicks i can be on one of those sites that gets flagged in a discussion...maybe they need a download trust ranking?....a file that's from here is good...a file from a trusted source dropbox/media fire is okay...and a file from god knows where is at your own risk...instead of just lumping them all under " downloadable"....i think that's what annoys me...going through 4 tabs and my security going off...just to get to that.." nope...not installing that"
3
More correctly, those aren't "3rd party downloads". Those are monetary links, which are designed to help the user who uses them get paid to have users go through it.
By using it for downloads, it's a "simple and free" (the quotes being very sarcastic) way to make money off the content they just made.
What you want to is ban *that*, which means people can't have a quick and easier way to make money.
This is not uncommon to see in the Minecraft community, and it's actually used by the largest and more important ones. Even Forge uses those links because making content is not free, and certainly isn't if you have to do any form of hosting yourself.
By using it for downloads, it's a "simple and free" (the quotes being very sarcastic) way to make money off the content they just made.
What you want to is ban *that*, which means people can't have a quick and easier way to make money.
This is not uncommon to see in the Minecraft community, and it's actually used by the largest and more important ones. Even Forge uses those links because making content is not free, and certainly isn't if you have to do any form of hosting yourself.
2
?.....well the monetary links, insist that you install a chrome app, which is a recognised Search Hijacker...Google Chrome should also step in at this point and remove these Apps....but hell....everyone is in something for the money...Facebook turns a blind eye to Credit card scam ads as well...seems to be the way at the moment...creating for enjoyment isn't self fulfilling, people expect to earn a buck for it....sad really..
2
The point is, banning it *would* mean that a lot of content makers would not use our site, because now they can't make even a little bit back to cover their time spent to make it. Sadly, we don't live in a world where things are free.
This has been an ongoing debate for *years*. There is no good alternative that can safely replace such things, and cover all forms of content.
Curseforge is only really great for mods and maybe resource packs, but it doesn't compensate as well, and requires that you give up some rights to your content.
This has been an ongoing debate for *years*. There is no good alternative that can safely replace such things, and cover all forms of content.
Curseforge is only really great for mods and maybe resource packs, but it doesn't compensate as well, and requires that you give up some rights to your content.
2
I get your point....i just wish it was regulated a bit more...and a ranking of trusted downloads maybe...instead of wasting time trying just to get to a point where i am not going to install something dodgy...just to even have a look at someones work...
1
The issue really is those sites have their own list of ads they run. Adfocus which is what Forge uses is way more "controlled", but even they have issues with ads at times. And Forge works directly with them too.
I'd love to get rid of them, don't get me wrong. It causes nothing but headache for me. It's just that sadly, it's not realistic to ban them without a huge backlash to our sites (I deal with MCF as well and this exact conversation happens there).
We have been internally discussing ways to try to help alleviate it without negatively cutting into the users who make the content, but we're not at a stage to do anything about it.
I'd love to get rid of them, don't get me wrong. It causes nothing but headache for me. It's just that sadly, it's not realistic to ban them without a huge backlash to our sites (I deal with MCF as well and this exact conversation happens there).
We have been internally discussing ways to try to help alleviate it without negatively cutting into the users who make the content, but we're not at a stage to do anything about it.
1
I can see that it may not even be the content creators fault....they may use a link that seems legit, but turns out not to be...Windfall Haven is the example that got me started on this...not sure what Ad system it's going through, but can't get past the " Install.....to proceed" process....looking for anyone that has tips getting around this...
1
You're getting the content for free.
1
I'm not getting free Malware...this post serves as a whinge and a warning...i don't have a problem with those that do the right thing, a little ironic that my post gets flagged for mentioning Adware and Malware, but to the unsuspecting, in 2 clicks i can have it on my computer.
Love your work btw.
Love your work btw.
2
the real issue that should be adressed here is not the addlink sites but the way they force you to allow notifications and cookies, i always look at sites before i decide to link a download, for example addfly wants you to use notifications and others want you to verify by completing surveys, but there are a handfulk that only require you too press 1 buttomn wait 5-15seconds and get the download, NO notifications, NO surveys, just 2 clicks and your done, these add shortners that dont harass you are alot more safe.
before i choose an addlink i test each link from each addsite to make sure my viewer is safe, not getting harassed by forced notifications.
here is how to make money without needing youtube adverts as a reliable sourcce of income.
1) create a website and subscrbe to a domain for about £11/month (for a custom name £20/year on top)
2) create a downlaod gallery for your content on your website then link PMC to your business/site
3)(temporarily) link downloads to addlinks which you have tested and you know is user friendly towards your viewers, DO NOT USE ADFLY or any addlink which forces surveys, long steps or forced NOTIFICATIONS OR COOKIES, should never take any longer than 15 seconds, should be as simple as 2 clicks, i even asked my younger sibblings to see if they can do this before i post to make sure younger audineces are safer.
4)you can skip step 3 if you apply for addsense and get aproved by google to have add banners on your website, (im currently waiting on)
iget roughly 2K downloads on each content i make with very short adds its enough to be fully self sufficient.
after all this platofrm is target for younger audiences a well as bigger content creators such as streamers and youtubers.
as creators we need to keep our viewers safe, i always fully disclose add downloads as well as redirects and even provide step by step help guides for my viewers to avoid clicking on wrong things.
before i choose an addlink i test each link from each addsite to make sure my viewer is safe, not getting harassed by forced notifications.
here is how to make money without needing youtube adverts as a reliable sourcce of income.
1) create a website and subscrbe to a domain for about £11/month (for a custom name £20/year on top)
2) create a downlaod gallery for your content on your website then link PMC to your business/site
3)(temporarily) link downloads to addlinks which you have tested and you know is user friendly towards your viewers, DO NOT USE ADFLY or any addlink which forces surveys, long steps or forced NOTIFICATIONS OR COOKIES, should never take any longer than 15 seconds, should be as simple as 2 clicks, i even asked my younger sibblings to see if they can do this before i post to make sure younger audineces are safer.
4)you can skip step 3 if you apply for addsense and get aproved by google to have add banners on your website, (im currently waiting on)
iget roughly 2K downloads on each content i make with very short adds its enough to be fully self sufficient.
after all this platofrm is target for younger audiences a well as bigger content creators such as streamers and youtubers.
as creators we need to keep our viewers safe, i always fully disclose add downloads as well as redirects and even provide step by step help guides for my viewers to avoid clicking on wrong things.
2
There comes a time when people need to stop and rely on "other stuff" to keep them safe.
Meanwhile people are constantly logged into "social" media networks while browsing without realizing that this too tracks their every move.
Internet security isn't a thing you turn on or off, it's an ever ongoing process.
Meanwhile people are constantly logged into "social" media networks while browsing without realizing that this too tracks their every move.
Internet security isn't a thing you turn on or off, it's an ever ongoing process.
2
Um, I was able to get to the wixsite for the download of Haven easily. Like, literally no problem and no request to download anything. I think you're just looking at the wrong skip link.
1
You got a link to it?....i can get to the download button...but then Install required of a Google Chrome App...
view more replies ( 1 )
view more replies ( 17 )
