Internet Marketing Tycoon

**imported_mikeb** · 04-20-2007, 04:58 PM

Saw this on a different forum but if you post ANY comment on MS using a link to another site, the link shows up as going to http://www.msplinks.com/xxxx

The link DOES go to wherever you have it going to but this is clearly a tracking method by myspace.

If you do a whois on msplinks.com you find this:

WHOIS information for: msplinks.com:

[whois.crsnic.net]

Whois Server Version 2.0

Domain names in the .com and .net domains can now be registered
with many different competing registrars. Go to InterNIC | The Internet's Network Information Center
for detailed information.

Domain Name: MSPLINKS.COM
Registrar: MARKMONITOR, INC.
Whois Server: whois.markmonitor.com
Referral URL: MarkMonitor: AntiPhishing Solutions, Fraud Prevention, Brand Protection & Domain Management
Name Server: NS1.MYSPACE.COM
Name Server: NS2.MYSPACE.COM
Status: clientDeleteProhibited
Status: clientTransferProhibited
Status: clientUpdateProhibited
Updated Date: 02-apr-2007
Creation Date: 02-apr-2007
Expiration Date: 02-apr-2008

If you go to markmonitor.com you find they are an online security company.

NOt sure what this all means but doesn't look good.

**80Degreez** · 04-20-2007, 05:04 PM

Very interesting... Do you know if it only applies to links in comments?
What about bullitens or messages?

**Sidekick** · 04-20-2007, 05:11 PM

I'm sure it mostly aimed towards phishing sites, BUT they will still know every link that goes through their site which could be bad.

**imported_mikeb** · 04-20-2007, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80Degreez

Very interesting... Do you know if it only applies to links in comments?
What about bullitens or messages?

Just checked bulls and while I don't send messages I tried on an account and it doesn't seem to apply to either.

**imported_mikeb** · 04-20-2007, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sidekick

I'm sure it mostly aimed towards phishing sites, BUT they will still know every link that goes through their site which could be bad.

Agreed

**80Degreez** · 04-20-2007, 05:35 PM

Thanks for the confirmation, mikeb!

**imported_mikeb** · 04-20-2007, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80Degreez

Thanks for the confirmation, mikeb!

No problem. Here is what I think is happening though. Since the site in question seems to be a brand protection site, I think MS is keeping an eye on links to Myspace resource sites that have the "myspace" in their URL (pimpmyspace.org, whackmyspace.com, myspacelayouts.net etc).

Could be bad for owners of those sites if MS starts going after them for trademark infringement.

**Sidekick** · 04-20-2007, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeb

No problem. Here is what I think is happening though. Since the site in question seems to be a brand protection site, I think MS is keeping an eye on links to Myspace resource sites that have the "myspace" in their URL (pimpmyspace.org, whackmyspace.com, myspacelayouts.net etc).

Could be bad for owners of those sites if MS starts going after them for trademark infringement.

That's one of the reason I hate MySpace, they make $25 million a month, yet sue people that find major bugs or try to help users with giving them resources.

**imported_mikeb** · 04-20-2007, 06:09 PM

I know. There's a huge discussion on myspace pros about whether or not myspace needs the resource sites to survive or vice versa. Seems like we'll find out soon enough.

**Sidekick** · 04-20-2007, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeb

I know. There's a huge discussion on myspace pros about whether or not myspace needs the resource sites to survive or vice versa. Seems like we'll find out soon enough.

I don't think they need them. I'm interested to see what happens with this though.

**Ianmtx** · 04-20-2007, 07:02 PM

Quick fix: Don't post links in comments?

**thewupk** · 04-20-2007, 07:29 PM

I've also noticed that you don't need to verify your email anymore when creating accounts. I wonder why they changed that?

**Ianmtx** · 04-20-2007, 07:30 PM

Yeah I've noticed that too, what are they up to!

**Lpspider** · 04-20-2007, 07:51 PM

I don't think they have anything too drastic planned... just something for mass spammers maybe.

**imported_mikeb** · 04-20-2007, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ianmtx

Quick fix: Don't post links in comments?

Well, that would totally defeat the purpose for commenting for a lot of folks now wouldn't it? :innocent:

**imported_mikeb** · 04-20-2007, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lpspider

I don't think they have anything too drastic planned... just something for mass spammers maybe.

I dont' know what they have planned but they didn't do it without a reason.
I'm convinced it's to track links using the phrase "myspace" in them for future trademark issues.

**Ianmtx** · 04-20-2007, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeb

Well, that would totally defeat the purpose for commenting for a lot of folks now wouldn't it? :innocent:

Nope, but I don't wanna give away all the secrets

**80Degreez** · 04-21-2007, 02:55 AM

I never comment and make $50+ daily with a max of $130 in 1 day from myspace ALONE.

**BigJohn** · 04-21-2007, 04:04 AM

can somebody decipher this for an idiot? i have new posts with links on my profile, and they are fine. wtf? can you break it down into simple terms?

**imported_mikeb** · 04-21-2007, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigJohn

can somebody decipher this for an idiot? i have new posts with links on my profile, and they are fine. wtf? can you break it down into simple terms?

If you post a comment to someone (as of yesterday, this only applied to comments, not bulls or on page links), and pass your mouse over the link that is in that comment, you will see in your taskbar that the link is pointing to www.msplinks.com. If you click on the link it still takes you where you want it to go but it is clearly being done via redirect.