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Return to the Darkside by R.P. Phillips |
Recently, I've been receiving an ever increasing amount of email requesting information on warez and [k]racks. Most of these requests are being caused by an ancient article I wrote on the subject (before I began writing for MacMilitia.com and no longer posted).
First off, let me say that even if I find/found sites or locations for these items I would never forward any specific URLs to anyone.
When I wrote the initial article on warez (pirated software),[k]racks (software hacking that turns demos into working versions) and serialz (lists of software and shareware serial numbers you usually only receive when buying/registering software/shareware), I was amazed at how easy it was to locate sites on the Internet that specialized in these items. In under 10 minutes, I had over 50 URLs to check out and all of them were still active and working. That was way back then!
Over the past several days I've been trying to locate some of these sites or other sites with the same specialization. I haven't been able to find a single, active warez or [k]rack oriented site dealing with Mac software and the only serialz site I ran across listed an outdated (several months old) downloadable "book". Even the bulletin site that specialized in posting information about these types of sites was listed as "Temporarily Closed".
This is not to say these types of sites don't exist, they probably still do. It is just a mention to those looking for them or even thinking of starting a site of their own, that, apparently, the law enforcement community seems to have been seriously cracking (silly pun) down on people who are behind these sites. It also appears as though search engine personnel have found a way to filter and reduce the amount of these sites that get listed through searching.
Does this mean this is going to be another short and uninformative article?
Nope! It just means I haven't been able to use my browser to find these items; but the browser wasn't the only tool in the search of the darkside.
I am reluctant to mention the other "access" port to the darkside; mostly because that is the majority of what I found when using it. But, alas, I almost have to, if I hope to have this article make any sense.
When I tried to re-enter this world, I was surprised to find out that I couldn't. It seemed my Hotline software was outdated and would no longer function. Finding and downloading the new version was also a bit of a challenge. It is no longer directly downloadable from the Hotline site, instead, you're sent to c/net for the download. It also seems as though neither Netscape 4.7.2 nor Internet Exploiter 4.5 would properly download it. I kept getting a corrupt file error message every time I tried to expand the stuffed file. Yet, after all this, I did manage to acquire Hotline 1.8 and get it running.
When I wrote the first article about the dark side of the Internet, I believe I referred to Hotline as warez and porn heaven. Now, I've used Hotline before, for legal purposes, and will be doing so again (beta testing software), so Hotline isn't all bad! It doesn't seem to have changed too much. The exception to this is there is now a variety of MP3 sites. While porn still seems to be the most prevalent use of Hotline, there also remains a large variety of warez & [k]rack locations. MP3 locations seem to be in third (but coming up fast) and there, in last, comes the legitimate sites like Bungie, IMG, MacSpeech, private and high resolution image storage sites.
Now, before you all run over to Hotline locations, be warned - there are a lot of problems with what you find and download. Besides thinking you're getting a game/program for a great price/steal, you may also find that the hour(s) you spent downloading are a waste because it is just a mislabeled demo or corrupt file. There are viruses a plenty and evil foes trying to access your computer while you're spending so much time doing your (basically) illegal download.
Then there is one of my favorite gripes; to get the privilege of accessing a location and/or downloading items you must first go to their web site, click on specific ads and sign-up (give an email address) for something. This is a way for them to make money. Once you're "in", you might not find what you want or find something you like is a demo or infested. Then you're almost certainly going to be asked, if not threatened with expulsion, to upload some of your software. What a scam some of these people have going. They get paid for the banner ads you must go through and then get software/MP3s/porn for free.
Then there are the locations that really upset me and hopefully will be investigated and shut down. I can't believe that these places can not only exist, but openly display (forward information listing the highlights of their contents to Hotline tracking services) their illegal, downloadable garbage. Specifically speaking, I saw about a half dozen sites listed as having child pornography on the listing I got from a Hotline tracker.
Why would anyone want to be associated with a service that has this try of atrocity so openly displayed? Warez, serialz, [k]racks and the like don't even compare to the nauseating display and, even more frightful, demand for this. Hopefully, by the time I write anything else related to Hotline, these types of sites will be long gone.
As for the warez, serialz and [k]racks, let me just say that I can see a use for them. What????? Yes; I can see a use for them. While I do, on occasion, receive software to review, I also see software advertised that I'd like to know more about - before I buy. My soon to be released review of AppleWorks v6 is a perfect example; if I knew what it was like before I spent the money, I doubt I would have bought it. I would love to see a lot more "limited time", full working demos of software and hope more software makers will swing towards this, after all, that is what just about every warez, serialz and/or [k]rack provider promotes, a way to try the software for 24 hours before you are suppose to delete it. Then, if you like it, buy it. But until software makers go towards time limited full demos, I see serialz, warez and [k]racks as a viable alternative for those interested in trying before buying.
As for the Darkside of the Internet. The Internet itself looks to be on a warez, serialz and [k]rack free diet and Hotline is still looking like it is deeply into the shadows - too deeply in some cases. Personally speaking, if you don't need (beta testing, IMG & Bungie demos, etc.) to go there - don't. My apologies to the people at Hotline, the idea was great, just some of the users (Hotline servers) aren't very ethical. And, No! There isn't any request for support in shutting down Hotline Servers or changing Hotline itself. But for those who despise certain aspects of it, you should act accordingly - as I believe I have.
Thank You and Stay Legal!!!!!!!!!!
R.P.
Phillips
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