Okay so im a tad bit confused. Im sorry if this question is not a good one for this site but im really confused.
There is this website, we will call it "Website Cool". Website Cool offers an affiliate program to its users using links. (refferal links) for every 1 person you refer to sign up for "Website Cool"you get $1 cash. Keep in mind, "Website Cool" is a FREE website, unless you choose to buy virtual money to spend throught the site to gain access to more features however 80% of "Website Cool" is free.
NOW HERES THE TWIST:
Spamming is not promoted by Website Cool, however near all of its users use this tactic to sign up peopel to refer them to join. My friend (we will call him "Bruce") "Bruce" found a loophole. Bruce found that by using internet proxy sites to surf the web anonymously. * WHICH ARE LEGAL AND FREE * he can create accounts practically unlimitedly without having to spam and break the websites term of service. Thus gaining Bruce $1 per every time he creates a account
2007-10-25 17:17:26 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
Terms Of Service Section. Questioned
# Security. Upon registering as a member with the Website, you must choose a user name and password for your account. You may change your password at anytime through the options available at your Website Cool.com personal homepage (also called "ProfilePage"). You are responsible for the security of your user name and password. If you believe that either your user name or password has been compromised, you should change your password immediately. You acknowledge and agree that the Website shall not be responsible for any use or misuse of your ProfilePage, your Credits, or any materials posted at or through your account which result from the unauthorized use of your ProfilePage. You shall not circumvent any encryption or other security tools used anywhere on the Website, including the theft of user names and passwords or using another person’s user name and password in order to gain access to a restricted area of the Website.
2007-10-25 17:34:05 · update #1
I am sure Website Cool has a user agreement, and, if Bruce were to read it, it would clearly state something to the extend "one account per person."
What Bruce is doing is 100% legal, but he IS breaking the rules of Website Cool.
Seriously though, Website Cool's admin WILL figure out and start employing some sort of proxy blacklist. So Bruce might be able to get away initially, I really doubt he could get a significant amount of money.
Doesn't it seem like a lot of work to go through to cheat a couple bucks off Website Cool?
2007-10-25 17:26:45 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. Ed 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say good luck trying to actually get cash from this site.
If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is...
I certainly hope that you thoroughly read and understood the license agreement when you signed up. There's always a catch somewhere. Just look at the user agreement for those stupid Zwinky avatars... that thing goes on for pages and pages and each page has links to even more pages of legal mumbo jumbo.
2007-10-25 17:32:42 · answer #2 · answered by Den B7 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unethical is more the term you're looking for. There are hundreds of people out there who find these loopholes and abuse the service for personal gain thereby ruining the service for legitimate clients. Yes, if he's not careful, he can get into trouble. Maybe not here or the next site but one never knows when it will happen.
2007-10-25 17:23:25 · answer #3 · answered by Carol T 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sounds like both. and personally I'd probably do it until the administrators figured it out and started blacklisting proxy sites.
of course there's the chance that it constitutes fraud, but I doubt you'd get into *too* much trouble if you were caught. -if- you get caught. I imagine they'd just fix the loophole instead, before spending money on lawyers.
2007-10-25 17:44:05 · answer #4 · answered by Andrés 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's probably fraud.
Ask yourself this - where does that dollar you get
actually come from? And who gets to find themselves a lawyer at $200 an hour if the rightful owner of those dollars comes looking for them?
I
2007-10-25 17:33:57 · answer #5 · answered by Valdis K 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is very illegal. It is called fraud and everytime Bruce does this once he can be charged in court once for it. If Bruce plans to do this 100 times then he can be charged up to 100 counts of Fraud and embezzlement.
2007-10-25 17:22:30 · answer #6 · answered by boxfervor 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
BOTH. You and "Bruce" need to get yourselves a real job and make money the honest way, the way the rest of us do. Jeez!
2007-10-25 17:24:23 · answer #7 · answered by Debbie D 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Who cares and why are you asking? If it sounds illegal then most likely it is. If YOU can get away with it and feel you can then do it but you get caught then don't go crying to anyone but yourself. It's the risk you take.
2007-10-25 17:27:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
its both. But I (a goody two shoes) wouldn't do it. What if "Bruce" gets caught?
2007-10-25 17:26:28 · answer #9 · answered by Sammy L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes if hes getting paid for doing something hes not then its considered fraud and he can be arrested for it.
2007-10-25 17:21:48 · answer #10 · answered by zspace101 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋