Site Sucker Blocker

emmanuelle · 2005-06-27, 04:28 PM

Can someone please teach me how to adjust my member area's htaccess files to block site suckers? I don't mind members downloading everything, but I'd like them to work a little harder for it ;-)

thanks in advance

ClickBuster · 2005-06-28, 01:05 AM

Oh that's not easy and has very little to do with .htaccess

I would suggest buying a fully functional script that will manage the download quota for your member area,but make sure it has the ability to set smaller quota for trial members. I wouldn't suggest making it harder for members to download contant, that way you'll probably decrease retention and trail => full conversions.

GunnCat · 2005-06-28, 04:12 AM

You should check with the guy who wrote Strongbox. He has some anti leeching features with his scripts. I think Steve is his name?

Chop Smith · 2005-06-28, 07:41 AM

Ray Morris is his name.

Check this thread http://www.greenguysboard.com/board/...ight=strongbox

I have always worked directly with Ray

emmanuelle · 2005-06-28, 10:02 AM

We wont keep people to daily limits, as a surfer that irritates me. I don't feel that blocking site suckers is unreasonable. If they need a few days to download the site instead of an hour, then they will have the opportunity to see our updates, and be more likely to rebill. I find that the ones who suck down everything, tend to cancel immediately afterwards. (We don't offer trials).
What I am looking for is similar to what is described in #2 on this page http://www.amateurcoalition.com/mast.../htaccess.html
(I'm just not comfortable with htacess files and dont want to mess up my members area protection scheme)
thanks!

Toby · 2005-06-28, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmanuelle

...
What I am looking for is similar to what is described in #2 on this page http://www.amateurcoalition.com/mast.../htaccess.html
(I'm just not comfortable with htacess files and dont want to mess up my members area protection scheme)
thanks!

That scheme is relying on blocking specific user agents and since that info is provided in the HTTP header by the user, this method isn't all that effctive these days. Most of the site download software in use today allow the user to specify what the program displays as the user agent.

I concur with what the others have already said, Ray's Strongbox is the most effective way to go, for what you are trying to accomplish.

emmanuelle · 2005-06-28, 10:27 AM

ok- thanks guys!
that page is indeed a few years old, and I know it used to work for me-lol

is there a server version of strongbox? We're running a good 20 paysites and paying per domain just seems a little crazy.

Barron · 2005-06-28, 11:08 AM

If you looking for something server wide, you could try Squid

http://howtos.linux.com/howtos/Bandw.../install.shtml

-

terry · 2005-06-28, 05:05 PM

Ray will give you a discount on multiple copies of Strongbox. I use it on all my sites and it is an incredible piece of software. Although now you have to go through a third party that is helping him out and it will take you a bit longer to get it all up and running. http://www.strongboxxx.com. Good luck.

GunnCat · 2005-06-29, 08:16 AM

Wow that new site is pretty nifty compared to his old site!

http://www.bettercgi.com/strongbox/index.html (old site)

koolkat · 2005-06-29, 04:51 PM

Mythumbnails.com uses some sort of script which detects if someone is downloading too much within a certain time frame. If it detects it, it basically blocks further downloads for something like 60 seconds. Once that time is up, then it allows you to proceed downloading again. You may want to email thier WM and ask him.

Wizzo · 2005-07-01, 10:50 AM

One way that is fairly effective and costs nothing is to make some of the links to say the galleries, a form submit link, because to my knowledge bots don't submit forms... However, it may be easier just to get a script that protects it...

2005-06-27, 04:28 PM	#1
emmanuelle 0100011101100101011001010 1101011001000000100001101 1010000110100101100011 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,441	Site Sucker Blocker Can someone please teach me how to adjust my member area's htaccess files to block site suckers? I don't mind members downloading everything, but I'd like them to work a little harder for it ;-) thanks in advance

2005-06-28, 07:41 AM	#4
Chop Smith Eighteen 'til I Die Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Mississippi Posts: 2,168	Ray Morris is his name. Check this thread http://www.greenguysboard.com/board/...ight=strongbox I have always worked directly with Ray __________________

2005-06-28, 05:05 PM	#9
terry You can now put whatever you want in this space :) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 5,883	Ray will give you a discount on multiple copies of Strongbox. I use it on all my sites and it is an incredible piece of software. Although now you have to go through a third party that is helping him out and it will take you a bit longer to get it all up and running. http://www.strongboxxx.com. Good luck. __________________ Stop That 9 To 5 Go Green Grocery Store

2005-06-29, 04:51 PM	#11
koolkat Remember to rebel against the authorities, kids! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: SC Posts: 401	Mythumbnails.com uses some sort of script which detects if someone is downloading too much within a certain time frame. If it detects it, it basically blocks further downloads for something like 60 seconds. Once that time is up, then it allows you to proceed downloading again. You may want to email thier WM and ask him. __________________ Harry Beaver's Lodge

2005-07-01, 10:50 AM	#12
Wizzo Well you know boys, a nuclear reactor is a lot like women. You just have to read the manual and press the right button Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Back In Houston! Posts: 155	One way that is fairly effective and costs nothing is to make some of the links to say the galleries, a form submit link, because to my knowledge bots don't submit forms... However, it may be easier just to get a script that protects it... __________________ Juicy Ads- Buy & Sell Ads, Popunders, and Mobile!

2005-06-28, 01:05 AM	#2
ClickBuster I'm normally not a praying man, but if you're up there, please save me Superman! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bulgaria Posts: 476	Oh that's not easy and has very little to do with .htaccess I would suggest buying a fully functional script that will manage the download quota for your member area,but make sure it has the ability to set smaller quota for trial members. I wouldn't suggest making it harder for members to download contant, that way you'll probably decrease retention and trail => full conversions. __________________ The tendency is to push it as far as you can -- Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas

2005-06-28, 04:12 AM	#3
GunnCat You can now put whatever you want in this space :) Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 547	You should check with the guy who wrote Strongbox. He has some anti leeching features with his scripts. I think Steve is his name?

2005-06-28, 10:02 AM	#5
emmanuelle 0100011101100101011001010 1101011001000000100001101 1010000110100101100011 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,441	We wont keep people to daily limits, as a surfer that irritates me. I don't feel that blocking site suckers is unreasonable. If they need a few days to download the site instead of an hour, then they will have the opportunity to see our updates, and be more likely to rebill. I find that the ones who suck down everything, tend to cancel immediately afterwards. (We don't offer trials). What I am looking for is similar to what is described in #2 on this page http://www.amateurcoalition.com/mast.../htaccess.html (I'm just not comfortable with htacess files and dont want to mess up my members area protection scheme) thanks!

2005-06-28, 10:27 AM	#7
emmanuelle 0100011101100101011001010 1101011001000000100001101 1010000110100101100011 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,441	ok- thanks guys! that page is indeed a few years old, and I know it used to work for me-lol is there a server version of strongbox? We're running a good 20 paysites and paying per domain just seems a little crazy.

2005-06-28, 11:08 AM	#8
Barron You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is 'never try' Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 166	If you looking for something server wide, you could try Squid http://howtos.linux.com/howtos/Bandw.../install.shtml -

2005-06-29, 08:16 AM	#10
GunnCat You can now put whatever you want in this space :) Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 547	Wow that new site is pretty nifty compared to his old site! http://www.bettercgi.com/strongbox/index.html (old site)