How We Use HotlinkALARM
HotlinkALARM is software to
detect unauthorized hotlinking and the theft inherent in
that illegal activity.
Disclosure: I created the hotlink alarm software. Patrick
Pretty is in charge of distribution. A support/help desk is available at the hotlinkalarm.com web site. A support forum is also available. Help desk and forum are monitored by both Patrick and myself.
Although HotlinkALARM is probably the best automatic
detector of theft by hotlink available anywhere, we use
the hotlink alarm software primarily because willmaster.com
and our various other domains enjoy a good reputation.
Injudicious or malicious hotlinking could seriously
undermine what we worked so hard for.
Should someone provide a download link directly to one of
our products, the people receiving the stolen products,
especially if they are not aware it is stolen, will expect
support. If help is refused, a reputation for lack of
support is sure to be formed.
As of this writing,
HotlinkALARM has detected and reported about 41,000 unauthorized hotlinks at 24 reporting domains. (Site owners have the option of directing the software to report hotlink detections to the central database at hotlinkalarm.com)
Hotlinking is widespread. Some hotlinking is authorized or condoned. Some is theft.
A HotlinkALARM Alpha Testing Story
When the hotlink alarm software was alpha tested at willmaster.com, it quickly sent dozens of emails telling me about unauthorized hotlinking.
Well, I had forgotten that our affiliates were linking to certain images. So I quickly authorized the entire directory where affiliate images reside.
That incident prompted the addition of a method to optionally reduce hotlink emails to one per incidence per day.
A Hotlinked ZIP File Story
When a web page on an unauthorized domain hotlinks to a ZIP file on the willmaster.com server, HotlinkALARM delivers a substitute.
The ZIP file substitute we use contains an otherwise blank PDF document saying, "The file which had been linked to may only be acquired at http://www.willmaster.com/"
See for yourself. Put this link in a temporary web page on your domain.
<a href="http://www.willmaster.com/anything.zip">
click
</a>
When the web page with the hotlink is on your domain, load the web page into your browser and click on the link. You'll get the substitute ZIP file.
(The hotlink alarm is triggered immediately when a link from an unauthorized domain is detected. It does not check to see whether or not the file is actually on the server.)
A few years ago, I wrote a how-to for on-page easter eggs. It never was popular, very little traffic, so I removed the article and the accompany ZIP file.
Well, it so happens a web site had written about it and hotlinked to the ZIP file on our server.
Several times a month, I get a notice from the hotlink detection software that someone clicked a link on that domain to one of our ZIP files.
Almost every time that happens, a short time later someone uses our site search box to look for "easter eggs".
The file substituted when unauthorized hotlinks are detected can itself bring additional traffic.
A Hotlinked JavaScript Story
Some people copy the source code from our pages, modify it to fit their site, and use it as their own.
We don't mind. Much. But when they fail to remove code that loads JavaScript from our server, that's a bit over the top.
On some of our pages, we use JavaScript to count page loads and record clicks. That particular JavaScript on other people's web pages affects our statistics.
At one point, a certain web site left our statistics JavaScript in the source code of several pages with "more information" forms. I used one of their forms to politely request they remove the JavaScript.
Nothing was done about it.
To put a stop to the pollution of our statistics database, I told HotlinkALARM to detect hotlinked .js files and substitute those hotlinks with an alternative.
The alternative displays, in large letters on a yellow background and with a link to the HotlinkALARM sales page:
Please do not hotlink to willmaster.com JavaScript files. (detected by HotlinkALARM)
See the effect for yourself. Put this link in a temporary web page on your domain.
<script
type="text/javascript"
src="http://www.willmaster.com/anything.js">
</script>
When the web page with the hotlink is on your domain, load the web page into your browser. You'll see the result of the substituted JavaScript.
HotlinkALARM still occasionally sends me an email about a hotlinked .js file. Generally, by the time I get to the offending web page, the hotlink is gone.
The file substituted when unauthorized hotlinks are detected can be an advertisement. In this case, it is a demonstration of the effectiveness of HotlinkALARM along with a link to the software's sales page.
Google Cache
Google does cache web pages. You can choose to authorize google.com or give it file substitutes like any other unauthorized domain. Your choice.
We put Google cache on our authorized list.
Google Images at images.google.com can also be authorized, if desired. Consider that images hotlinked from another server and displayed at Google Images (or any other domain) can be copied and used without ever visiting the site the image is from.
Hotlinking Prevention
Unfortunately, hotlinking can not be prevented. People can code their web pages as they please.
However, when a hotlink is detected, software can deliver substitutes instead of the files being hotlinked to. The software can also notify the owner of the site being hotlinked to.
HotlinkALARM is the best software for that job.
Free Professional Installation
You can get free professional installation of HotlinkALARM by doing both of the following:
-
Go to the HotlinkALARM web site and buy the software sometime between now and October 21, 2008.
-
Sometime before October 23, 2008, go to the willmaster.com contact page and paste the entire purchase receipt email PayPal sent to you into the text box form field. Provide your name and email address and submit the form.
We will respond with an email to make arrangements for your professional installation.
Your Thoughts
What are your thoughts about the hotlink alarm software, based on this article and on things you might have heard about it from other sources?
Do consider buying HotlinkALARM for detecting misuse of your intellectual property.
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Will Bontrager
© Bontrager Connection, LLC
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