Can Link Manager be fooled by false backlinks?

[BGW]

Hi All,

Just recently I have been getting 2 to 3 back-link requests each day. However, I don't believe they are true reciprical links and think its quite possible that the Link Manager can be fooled.

Example is (addresses altered so as not to create more links for them)

Name: Andrew
E-mail: (linksuysk@)pured*.com
URL: (http:*//www).pured*.com/1ctstudearrings.html
Reciprocal link: (http:*//www.)pured*.com/diamond.html

Whilst the Link Manager admin routine indicates there is a back-link, I have found that manually going to the address given in the Reciprocal link just takes you to another 'ad' page of the site specified in the URL:

Doing a search for my site on their reciprocal link page fails to locate any link??? Additional checks using other SEO back link checkers also confirm that no back links exist. However Link Manager admin panel check confirms that links do exist???

Is Link Manager being fooled?

Help appreciated

[BGW]

Just had another link request, same problem the recriprocal links dont appear to be true links back to my site???

Sample of e-mail sent by Link Manager 1.7:

*********************************************************************************************
Hello,

Someone just added a new link to your links page on http://www.onsafelines.com

Link details:

Name: Brain
E-mail: *******************************
URL: **************************
Reciprocal link: ************************************
Title: Gift Ring Box
Description:
Here you'll find the wide choice of 9.25 silver cuffs, ball studs, wedding rings and pendants matching evening dresses as well as T-shirt with jeans.

*********************************************************************************************************

Again I do not believe these are true links, just the link manager software being fooled?

[Klemen]

They are cheating you - they have their server setup to show one page to visitors on another page if the user-agent is linkman.

Try deleting this from your addlink.php and admin.php files:

Code: Select all

ini_set('user_agent', 'LinkMan '.$settings['verzija'].' by http://www.phpjunkyard.com');

Or change it to something like

Code: Select all

ini_set('user_agent', 'Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 5.1)');

This should take care of the cheaters and I will also include such a modification in next version of LinkMan.

[BGW]

Hi Klemen,

I have deleted the line from the two files you have suggested and will see how things go.

thank you

[BGW]

Just had another request for a false link so option of deleting the line below has not worked

ini_set('user_agent', 'LinkMan '.$settings['verzija'].' by http://www.phpjunkyard.com');

Any other suggestions?

Link details:

Name: Alex
E-mail: linksDd7m@first-aid-*********.***
URL: (http: //www).first-aid-********.com
Reciprocal link: (http: //www).***********************.com/all_purpose_first_aid_********.html
Title: CPR Face shields
Description:
Online store offers a variety of Consumer, Auto Roadside, Business, Industrial First Aid Kits which you should have with you wherever you are- outdoors

Additionally I have set the option to approve links manually, however the link provided by the link manager e-mails fails to work in both IE and Firefox? When clicking on the link or pasting it directly into a browser, it is caught by my 404 error direction routine...

[Klemen]

Have you tried the secodn code I posted above? It's possible the cheater shows the links page to all user agents Except those of standard browsers. So, again, try

Code: Select all

ini_set('user_agent', 'Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 5.1)');

As for the 404 you probably have the wrong URL set in Admin Panel > Settings > URL of approve.php

[BGW]

Hi Klemen,

Will give the second option a try see how it goes.

As for the 404 error you were spot on, thank you.

[BGW]

Hi Klemen,

Have tried both methods now and neither stop these annoying false links being requested.

On a positive note now that the option to approve all link requests is working, at least I can block and reject...

Any other suggestions most welcome.

latest attack is (hyperlinks disabled)

Name: Michael
E-mail: linksIacq@buynavelrings.com
URL: http//wwwbuynavelringscom/buttonrings/crossrings
Reciprocal linkhttp//wwwbuynavelrings/ringsbutton.html
Title: Cross Navel Rings
Description:
We offer various high quality navel rings decorated with gemstones and others made of stainless steel at low prices.

[Klemen]

If that doesn't work they might be showing the false reciprocal links page to any requests coming from your server IP.

[ragtech]

Same issue here... I have tried both methods about and some (One in particular) keeps adding links when there is know reciprocal link when viewed manually.

[Klemen]

Try banning their websites.

[DC]

Do you have the google rank set to a number of like 4 or 5 this makes sure that sites with a valid google rank are allowed to post links to your site. And google does not play nice with cheaters it catches, so they will be unable to get a high rank and there for shouldn't be able to post. This locks out any site that does not have a high enough rank. I think that may help.

I use a mod version of LinkMan on my clients site for years and never ever had the problem your having so its just a suggestion if you have not tried that approach do not make it too high or hardly any one can post a link most reputable well known sites can hit a 4 or a 5 no problem.

DC