ADF.LY - A poor modding practice - PLEASE READ

[Dee4Three]

Hi all,

This has been a pretty sizable issue, especially in the last two years of releases, and I feel it's time to have a thread to discuss it. While it's not breaking any rules, it often times becomes more than just an "inconvenience".

Recently, I had to bypass an adfly page in order to get to a preview video of a mod (In order to share that video ad free for the community). In order to get to the video, I had to "Allow notifications" (adfly notification), which you can see on the video below. You will also see that Norton was trying to block web attacks. These are not fake attacks, or "false alarms", these are real web attacks. For this particular download, about 15 different web attacks hit Norton after I ended the video (Malicious web attack 10, malicious web attack 15, etc). Going by all different names. If something looks like it stinks, it usually stinks.

phpBB [video]

After hitting "Allow" like you saw above, my FIREFOX browser became not usable, I have to use Chrome now until I can figure out the issue, or re-install firefox and hope that it fixes the issue. My browser is now riddled with ad's any time I open it, and I get notifications in the bottom right hand corner of the screen that say "YOU ARE BEING TRACKED". These are not Norton Notifications, either.

I posted this on Deiby's thread, but I want it on this thread so you can see where I am coming from:

I know you are keeping the adfly links on your releases, but the type of adfly links you use gave me a browser virus, because it forces you to "allow notifications" in order to get to the download.

In turn, now every time I open my browser, I get three pop ups that say "YOU ARE BEING TRACKED", and my browser in general is riddled with ads now. I have to run a virus can, roguekiller, and possibly reinstall the browser.

This is why people get frustrated Deibys. Again, I am not using your work right now, I got the virus from trying to get that preview video for other people on the other thread. Not only does it infect peoples computers at times, but it's also dangerous because it will sometimes put inappropriate adult content on a computer (via pop ups, porn pop ups, etc).

You have to understand something, you drive people away by using adfly like this. Even if I wanted to use your work, I wouldnt even try because of this, and I certainly wouldnt support you. Many people feel this way. Someone donated to you recently just so you could get rid of them, that's how bad they drive people away.

You make hardly anything on adfly, I've been on the NLSC for years and talked to many people about it. It takes A TON of clicks to even get to $5 earned. You need to understand that you will make more off of DONATIONS by just being a great community member and giving people direct links.

This goes for anybody on the forum that is viewing this. Please think about the big picture, about how much of an inconvenience adfly links are and how dangerous they can be to the end user. Think about putting a donation link in your signature instead, the hassle of adfly is not worth it, and you frustrating people and giving them CPU issues isnt worth it for the $5 you make.

If you have trouble reading this, pleas put it in a translator, like google translate. I really want to drive this message home.

Modders, stop acting like adfly is an innocent practice, or just a minor inconvenience. It can hurt computers, as the service can track individuals, pummel them with ads, make software not work, give people porn ads and pop ups, etc. It's not just adfly either, there are a couple others that people use that cause similar issues.

The $5-$10 you make if you get THOUSANDS of clicks is NOT worth it

So many modders have told me that they make mere pennies most of the time using services like adfly, literally pennies. Do you really find that to be worth it to cause so many headaches to NLSC community members and lurkers alike? And do you really believe that in any way shape or form that it makes people want to keep coming back? You have a much better chance to make more money off of donations by being an amazing community member than you do off of frustrating people with adfly. People would be more apt to try your work, which will in turn have them return to your thread, which in turn will also want them to continue to use your work, which in turn gives them a better chance of making a donation.

I am not stating that anybody has to donate, or even to expect donations. However, it's not against the rules to have a donation link (Basically a tip jar) where people can donate a little money here and there to support you. I STRONGLY suggest going that route, as opposed to the adfly route.

You get adfly redirect viruses

https://www.2-viruses.com/remove-adf-ly-redirect-virus

It can give you malware

https://www.minecraftforum.net/forums/mapping-and-modding-java-edition/minecraft-mods/mods-discussion/2748890-stop-using-adfly-it-can-give-you-malware-dont-just

It will send you to malicious sites

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/625447/when-using-ad-fly-skip-ad-redirects-to-malicious-sites/


Are the pennies you make really worth this? Is the mod you created worth this much of a nightmare for the end-user? Using something like "ad-block" is not the solution, either. You are exposing hundreds and sometimes thousands of people to these issues (depending on the number of downloads you get) when you use adfly, etc.

Please do your best to be a better member of the community, and not cause so many issues for others.

Suggestion for bypassing adfly

I've personally have had no problems with ad.fly links and other link shorteners by using the extensions Universal Bypass and uBlock Origin which are both available for chrome and firefox.

Last edited by Dee4Three on Tue Nov 12, 2019 10:25 am, edited 2 times in total.

I'm curious to know if modders using donations and adfly also used to support NLSC with donation/tip

Thank you for this. I havent problem with the ads, but adfly is the hell himself with these notifications !

Last edited by DEIBYS2KMOD on Thu Aug 27, 2020 1:25 am, edited 1 time in total.

I've personally have had no problems with ad.fly links and other link shorteners by using the extensions Universal Bypass and uBlock Origin which are both available for chrome and firefox.

First off, I did wait and it wouldnt bypass. I was forced to click ALLOW.

Second, even before hitting allow I was pummeled with a pop up and web attacks (as shown on my example video in the bottom right hand corner). Regardless if you can get by without hitting allow or not, the web attacks still take place, and they are real web attacks that impacts peoples browsers, performance and overall computer functionality at times.

It is NOT. a good practice to use adfly. The links I gave for examples of it infecting CPUS with malware, viruses, ads etc show this. It is literally something that people hate for a reason, not just because it's an inconvenience either.

Trying to justify it the way you are doesn't work here, this thread could be full of people complaining about adfly if all the people who have complained before and recently came forward.

It's a poor modding practice as the title says, nothing you said changes that. Nobody said that modders dont work hard, or that it's not a major time commitment, but modding is a voluntary practice where it is illegal to charge for mods to begin with, you mod for the fun of it, not for any sort of profit.

My point stands about donations links > adfly, 100%.

It would be great to see others in here detailing frustration with the process of adfly. I know that Uncle Drew had to repair his computer because of it.

I've personally have had no problems with ad.fly links and other link shorteners by using the extensions Universal Bypass and uBlock Origin which are both available for chrome and firefox.

This does not make adf.ly any less poor as far as modding practices go. And, you were able to get around them, think about the average user, or the lurker, or the first time downloader, etc.

Those people get hit with ads, at times malware, and at times viruses.

Adf.ly is a poor modding practice.

Note: I added your suggestions to bypass to the first post

I explain to you partner what happens is that you misused the tool since at no time it says that you have to accept or allow to be able to enter the video or file in the video it shows that you can also block it and nothing happens It's that simple and it's not more than 1 minute of your time to get to the video or file besides without any risk since you only have to block the ad and only 1minute of your time to support a person who sometimes it is not done with the intention of earning money if not for the motivation of generating something for their work and not having to be waiting for someone to donate $ 0.5 if one earns it with the effort at least it does not generate much profit but It is something that motivates you, you can earn at least $ 1 a year but that motivates you to continue working to see how many people arrive at your job and over pass the 10 second barrier to get your job that motivates, Apart from everything, it is the person's decision whether to download the file or not if he supports losing 10 seconds of his time, with someone who can last up to a week creating a job. Remember that the work of a modden is motivational, it must have a motivation, it can be monetary or because he likes the game or because something else motivates him but you cannot question a person for wanting to generate something extra and apart he is not infringing the norms .. I have seen several modden that have withdrawn from this world that is why people do not understand that this is a work of motivation and you just lose 1 minute of your time question it, and that is why we lose talent and people with a desire to work regardless of whether the community donates or not as I said and I repeat it is something motivational is not so much to generate some money if not for the motivation and are issues that we must respect while not breaking the rules

phpBB [video]

Wrong. I had to allow the notifications on adfly in order to proceed to the next page. Not accepting this notication leaves the page blank and I have waited more than X amount of mins. I figured out a way to allow the ads so I could download then remove the notification in my chrome settings, but the whole thing is just stupid and a hazard to everyones computer. Pretty sure I got a virus from one of Shuajota's links last year because i had no idea what i was clicking on on these dodgy websites.

The whole 2k18/19 experience for downloading mods was a huge inconvenience, this year has been great, everyone has links straight the mediafire which is perfect. And if you're a modder that still wants to use adfly or anyother site similar just know that it's a shitty way of downloading mods, but hey if you wanna do it to make a bit of coin then by all means

For me its worth it, 100 dollars in 10 months plus some donation. Little by little i was able to upgrade my old PC without spending money from my bank account...
and enough to get the next 2k...
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
accepting kind donation: https://www.paypal.me/rkjmods
SUBSCRIBE my Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/2DNwwjS
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RKJzomBiemods
Follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/RillKyrieJames

For me its worth it, 100 dollars in 10 months plus some donation. Little by little i was able to upgrade my old PC without spending money from my bank account...
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
accepting kind donation: https://www.paypal.me/rkjmods
SUBSCRIBE my Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/2DNwwjS
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RKJzomBiemods
Follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/RillKyrieJames

I've donated to you before I believe. You had created a Calvin Booth for me on 2K17, and I used your Global (Guessing you are RKJ, and also Torogi)

The majority of modders I have talked to stated that they made mere pennies off of the work they did if they only used adfly. Now, you might have far more downloads than the average modder. Are you using anything else besides adfly? Are you factoring in donations?

Regardless, it's still a poor modding practice for the reasons I stated above. Not trying to come down on you, or Deibys, I am making a point. We get a lot of complaints about adfly here on the forums, go through the threads of the modders who use them, whether it be adfly or other ad sites, they can be frustrating, dangerous and down right a pain in the ass.

I have been using the NLSC for 5+ years, and I have always hated them and try to avoid them whenever possible (ad sites)

.

Last edited by DEIBYS2KMOD on Thu Aug 27, 2020 1:27 am, edited 1 time in total.

For me its worth it, 100 dollars in 10 months plus some donation. Little by little i was able to upgrade my old PC without spending money from my bank account...
and enough to get the next 2k...
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
accepting kind donation: https://www.paypal.me/rkjmods
SUBSCRIBE my Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/2DNwwjS
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RKJzomBiemods
Follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/RillKyrieJames

This is how one motivates more. and if they want to donate, it's bine received

Deibys, several people including me want to stay away from your work because you use that adfly process. And, it infected my computer (Like the user above, I HAD to click allow to get to the video, I waited AWHILE).

For those defending adfly, modding in itself is a hobby. Since when are we a community that tries to turn a profit by inconveniencing others? When did that become normal? Why is a tip jar (donation link) not enough?

I tried to call this out back in 2k17 and have every year. I basically stood alone as the only vocal opponent of it and how ant-community it is. I got called “toxic” and “dramatic” for defending open and ad-free mod sharing.

At this point, standing up on a soap box and pleading with creators to stop using ad-link is too little, too late. It’s going to require a change in the forum rules for any substantial effect. However, I still I appreciate the sentiment and hope at least some creators listen.

For me its worth it, 100 dollars in 10 months plus some donation. Little by little i was able to upgrade my old PC without spending money from my bank account...
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
accepting kind donation: https://www.paypal.me/rkjmods
SUBSCRIBE my Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/2DNwwjS
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RKJzomBiemods
Follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/RillKyrieJames

I've donated to you before I believe. You had created a Calvin Booth for me on 2K17, and I used your Global (Guessing you are RKJ, and also Torogi)

The majority of modders I have talked to stated that they made mere pennies off of the work they did if they only used adfly. Now, you might have far more downloads than the average modder. Are you using anything else besides adfly? Are you factoring in donations?

Regardless, it's still a poor modding practice for the reasons I stated above. Not trying to come down on you, or Deibys, I am making a point. We get a lot of complaints about adfly here on the forums, go through the threads of the modders who use them, whether it be adfly or other ad sites, they can be frustrating, dangerous and down right a pain in the ass.

I have been using the NLSC for 5+ years, and I have always hated them and try to avoid them whenever possible (ad sites)

i use only adfly before then shifted to another adlink but same concept to adlfy... im also downloading my link before i upload to check if its work.
yeah donations are good, there are some member of the community that are generous... im guilty of that using ad, its true just a few dollars but when accumulated its big enough... yeah my ad links are earning more than that, maybe i earned good reputation in my mods in the past years thats why i have good number of downloads. i know its wrong motivation...
For me putting ad on a preview is no no no...
best regards, i will follow the rules and regulations...
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
accepting kind donation: https://www.paypal.me/rkjmods
SUBSCRIBE my Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/2DNwwjS
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RKJzomBiemods
Follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/RillKyrieJames

Last edited by RKJ2k on Tue Nov 12, 2019 11:51 am, edited 1 time in total.

i use only adfly before then shifted to another adlink but same concept to adlfy... im also downloading my link before i upload to check if its work.
yeah donations are good, there are some member of the community that are generous... im guilty of that using ad, its true just a few dollars but when accumulated its big enough... yeah my ad links are earning more than that, maybe i earned good reputation in my mods in the past years thats why i have good number of downloads. i know its wrong motivation...
For me putting ad on a preview is no no no...
best regards, just implement the rules and we will follow...
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
accepting kind donation: https://www.paypal.me/rkjmods
SUBSCRIBE my Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/2DNwwjS
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RKJzomBiemods
Follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/RillKyrieJames

No worries, and am certainly not coming down on you specifically. Just the general premise of using them and the impact it has on those who attempt to download modders work who use them.

That's what people need to understand. This is not a personal attack on anybody specifically, it's the practice and how it impacts people in general.

My suggestion for everybody is still: Supply direct links, but offer a donation link so your audience can donate to you if they see fit and have the resources to do so.

I despise any links that have you go thru 4-5 sites, to get mods. Like I mentioned earlier, I got a virus from visiting one of these nefarious sites, and it cost me $80.00 to get rid of said virus. It got into my registry, and screwed it up. Had to take my computer to a repair shop to get it fixed. Teamrakker, Heatcheck2K are two modders I stay away from. Their sites make you jump through hoops and wait a few minutes, before you can get mods. It's not right.

I despise any links that have you go thru 4-5 sites, to get mods. Like I mentioned earlier, I got a virus from visiting one of these nefarious sites, and it cost me $80.00 to get rid of said virus. It got into my registry, and screwed it up. Had to take my computer to a repair shop to get it fixed. Teamrakker, Heatcheck2K are two modders I stay away from. Their sites make you jump through hoops and wait a few minutes, before you can get mods. It's not right.

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/deta ... pihj?hl=en

Trust me, this saves a vast amount of headaches. Just add it to Chrome and you can easily access 99% of those mods without jumping through all the bs ad-fly links.

I despise any links that have you go thru 4-5 sites, to get mods. Like I mentioned earlier, I got a virus from visiting one of these nefarious sites, and it cost me $80.00 to get rid of said virus. It got into my registry, and screwed it up. Had to take my computer to a repair shop to get it fixed. Teamrakker, Heatcheck2K are two modders I stay away from. Their sites make you jump through hoops and wait a few minutes, before you can get mods. It's not right.

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/deta ... pihj?hl=en

Trust me, this saves a vast amount of headaches. Just add it to Chrome and you can easily access 99% of those mods without jumping through all the bs ad-fly links.

I'll give it a try. Thanks for the headsup.

I don't think adfly is the issue. I can navigate the site pretty easy but fear when someone using it not knowing what theyre doing.

My wife is a life time fan of the Sims games. I had to teach/train her how to use mods and such. Things like noscript and such is essential part of downloading random mods from the internet.

In the tech savvy guy in my circle and things like adfly scare me. No one in my circle could navigate that without installing some type of malware/virus/program etc.

My mom went through similar things as the op using a cricket machine.

I don't think adfly is the issue.

It is part of the issue, ads on downloads is the whole reason this thread exists. They are an issue for me, others have complained consistently for the last couple years, etc. YOU are not bothered by them, they are not an issue for YOU.

Adfly, and other ads behind download links impact people anywhere from just being a minor inconvenience (having to download another program to bypass them, or teach someone how to bypass them, etc), to a moderate annoyance (Having to go through multiple screens and get pummeled with web attacks which are recognized by Norton and stopped before they infect the computer), to a Major issue (CPU gets infected with a virus, or malware, or adware where you browser is pummeled with ads, and even porn pop ups).

Its not debateable whether adfly in itself can cause issues (even with Norton etc installed). In the big picture, thousands of lurkers or people who are not tech savvy click on these download links and have the moderate or major issues listed above.

"Not an issue to me" doesn't equal "Not an issue"

I am happy that a few others including yourself get by them, and your downloading experience isnt negatively impacted. That doesn't make it any less of an issue.

I don't like adlinks in general. Those that like the income and/or recognition will always justify their reasons for using this practice. I fully understand that making a little money financially helps some and I don't mind that. What I don't like is that some modders double, triple and quadruple dip by forcing you to go from site to site. This is being greedy in my opinion. Another thing I don't like is those that create smaller sized downloads forcing you to download more files. More downloads equals more income for them. Another is having adlinks for the password and another for the actual file. One of the worst is the adult oriented adverts. I thought that this site and the 2K modding community was for all ages. I'm sure most parents don't want to have their children seeing this. As far as the issue with unfamiliar users making errors, this is intentional by the adlink webpage designers. The have multiple "download" links and make the actual download link had to find. Often a small blue arrow. These people want you to click on wrong links or install unneeded or unwanted files. These often cause the malware and virus problems. Unfortunately this happens with emails and telephone calls. These insidious vile vultures prey on the people most vulnerable. My father almost fell for the scam where his "grandson" called and said he needed money due to an accident. When they called me I figured it out easily since I don't even have any children. So I messed around with them and they angrily cursed at me and hung up. Problem solved at least until the next attempted scam. I'd advise you to tell your friends and family to be aware of these scams. They have been going for many years.

At least recently adlinks seem to used by fewer modders. As far as the "allow" issue posted above, I have seen this for mods for another sports game. What I have done is allow and download. As far as I have seen a popup will show in the lower right corner. You can then click on the settings icon and disable all future notifications. At least until you get another "allow" prompt. Another thing I do is thank the modders that do not use adlinks.

Funny thing is Dee I had the same thing happen to me. I tried to click on one his links thinking it was a download and got all the way too the adlink site where it wanted to allow something on my browser. I just closed the site out and said forget it. Come to find out it was just a YouTube video, man I would've been livid if I got spyware or a virus on my pc lol. Although with my IT background it wouldn't have been that bad because I know what Im doing to remove such things. Personally I dont like the Adlink practice, the PM me for a password practice none of it lol but thats just me.

this is a good thread.

another issue is the availability of the mods.
after few months, they disappear for ever for mediafire and co...
So you want recognition of your work, but you dont care about that.

I actually brought this same topic to RJ last game, they are giving peoples PC's some harsh viruses with the ad links and pop-ups.

If you try to use adblock or pop up blocker, it won't allow access to the downloads.

So you take a 100% chance of getting a virus of some kind, I've had to clean my PC or repair windows numerous times, just to get one CF.

And allowing adfly, etc will cause more problems later, because it allows other access to other links, that consistently pop up weird notifications, even when not on the site.

This is a on going issue and in the past few years, had made downloading or getting mods more of a tedious task, than a supportive hobby!