New PRStorm owner has regrets
You can tell spam hunters [to] stop running after me, I’m the wrong person. I hate spam and never intentionally will distribute any spam.
So says Steve Kravchenko, the new owner of PRStorm/Reffy, the spamming tool that cost Mikie Rods his broadband connection.
I contacted Steve yesterday after Halz left a comment in this blog.
Steve says that he wanted to buy an online business from eBay but the purchase made him a target for spam hunters.
When I asked the previous owner, why you sold me this site, you knew about spam hunting … they said – everybody has their own opinion.
Faced by critical comments from spam hunters, he now intends to “get rid of the PRStorm site very soon”. Expect to see hot competition for the powerful referrer marketing software from people less concerned about spam and more interested in making money.
Update 24 October:
I’ve received another e-mail from Steve Kravchenko today.
I even heard a crazy idea from spam hunters to split the cost by buying PRStorm and then killing it … that will be an option, but expensive one …
Steve has also left a comment on this post.
I am glad Steve has caught on to what he was tricked into buying. I hope he really didn’t know the whole point of the software he was selling was spamming. It kinds of sounds like his main regret is putting up with spam hunters.
Is hope he shuts the software down rather than just putting it up for sale again. It would be great to post a notice to all the users who visit the webpage explaining what the software really does. I am sure there are many other people out there using this software that have no idea what the software is actually doing.
no, my main regret is investing money in something that isn’t legal, that looks professional
and seems legit online business … also my concern that previous owner never revealed any
involvement with legal issues and had me sign a contract to waive any complaints afterwords …
I never had any business before and unfortunately, my first try wasn’t successfull
to earn a good reputation. It turned out quite opposite …
If I would have been a real spammer, I’d never :
. place my sensative info on the Internet in any way
. run software from my home PC IP address that’s easy to track
. have ISP, e-mail, IP address from the same source
. and so on and on …
but I have no knowledge or desire to do this …
and I have to pay back small business loan that I took to buy PRStorm,
so unfortunatelly I can’t afford waste money and just shut it down
but PRStorm will be gone soon !
PRstorm is alive and well…. In fact I just recently purchased a COPY.
I love to see all of you high and mighty self appointed moral majority define some form of marketing as spam, even though it does not fit the
legal description of spam.
Here’s the bottom line… This type of marketing works. You don’t have to like it, but it still works wonders.
Now, the thing is, I am sick and tired of people like you. Who are you to tell me or anyone else what I may or may not use to market my sites.
Here is what I’m going to do… I’m going to use PRstorm (well, my own custom build) and I’m going to promote this page with it. And I am going
to promote it heavily.
The end result will be that this particular page is going to shoot into the #1 position in google.
Now, lets see if you remove this post and claim that you got the top position by yourself, or if you will leave it here and let people see
that the same software you are slamming, has in fact put you on top.
I’m willing to bet that you do not allow this post, as people like yourself are dishonest on average. After all, you actively attempt to harm
people who are just trying to market their sites and squeak out a living online.
So, to recap. You and those like you make me sick, and I will be heavily promoting your site with this type of software so that you come to the top
of the search engines, just to prove a point.
Several spammers have spamvertized my website as retaliation. My best advice to Michael is that he puts a notice in his template in a very conspicuous place, telling his visitors what’s up, and linking to an explanation.
The real risk is getting blacklisted in Google. And since Michael isn’t a SEO guy, he’s not evaluated on his Google PR or serps. He’s a journalist. Which means he thrives on drama – what better so he can write about it. So a disclaimer up top would be his best option once the spammer does his thing.
I know, I’ve been through this several times now.
I agree, attacking a journalist is not the smartest. Of course PRStorm works. If it didn’t work it wouldn’t be such a problem because no one would use it. But when caught, Google will remove your site from its index for spamming.
This isn’t nearly the first spammer who has decided to spam for antispam sites. They are pretty stupid though, by improving our PageRanks, it only helps us inform people how slimy spammers are.
I also suggest putting a notice on the top of your site about what is going on. Ann has one now and we had similar in the past. You likely will get some complaints, all you can do is explain what is happening.
quote:
The end result will be that this particular page is going to shoot into the #1 position in google.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=prstorm
This page is now #2 on Google for PR storm in one month – but there are no BLs credited
I am amazed at all the attention prstorm gets. Do you have any idea how many prstorm users there are? if prstorm goes out of business, and I can no longer sell it thru the affiliate program I will give it away free to any one that wants a copy! I will encourage every other prstorm user to do the same. I’m sure a list of all the spam hunter websites is also available some where. Do you see where this is going? You reap what you sow.
I have looked into PRstorm and I cannot tell the merits of the software. If it can get you listed in the search engines quickly but can get you removed even more quickly. then there is more harm then benefit. Also people I talked to have said that after using and while using the software they have been attacked on there computer from outside sources. If everyone that uses pr storm has the same list then offended websites will find ways to combat this. Essentially what can been done can be undone or result in a punishment. Whether it been a denial of service attack or virus, the offended website owners will be irate and find methods of retaliation.
well, you should use it, not abuse it …
If you run PRStorm every day, yes – Google smart web-crawlers can sense it and alert to ban it from Google …
once a week is enough. also I never had customers complaining about external attacks …
software designed to use active proxy servers to protect your privacy and prevent such intrusions …
anyway, after being owner of PR Storm for a few months, it’s time to sell it …
It’s quite sweet to see the comments of “Spam King” and “PRStorm” above.
If they ever get traffic they desire, will they be a happier people? Will their local communities admire them? Will the pots of cash make them wise, and better able to teach their children well? Will they take their final breath, satisfied that they lived every minute of their life and advanced the human race?
BTW, Steve, you have my greatest sympathies for your troubles: I wonder, when you say “I never had customers complaing about external attacks”, could that be because most of your customers are too technically naive to recognize an external attack? (so a lack of complaints doesn’t necessarily reflect an absence of attack.)
to Rich : may be that, but I doubt it …
they usually use proxy servers to protect their privacy (and hide real IP addresses)
in anyway, I’m not a businessman by nature and I’m not rich or made pile of cash,
like I said before, I was wanted good, legit online small e-business to get out of debts, not to get rich …
and I wanted to provide for people a great service, whatever I do …
and beleive me, I teach my kid well …
it’s just time to move on to explore other avenues …
PRStorm good-bye …
I’de like to thank you ( and the spammers who got you to the top. )
I’m trying to promote a new website and saw the add for PRStorm which looks great.
After reading this have decided NOT to buy it – it may work but I’d rather not do it that way.
Anyone out there willing to put up a link for somone trying to promote their businees honestly and ethically?
I sympathise with the guy. If he didn’t know it was Spam, then I believe him. Don’t beat yourself up about it buddy.
I agree, PRStorm looked totally legit. Personally, I just like to check things first, which is how I found this page!
Why is there no way to email the owner of pr storm?:no where on that site is there a place to email for questions concerns ect…
PRStorm still looks legit. Altough many people wouldn’t buy anything from somebody lot even listing their phone or other contact details.
PRStorm gets advertized on AdWords! Shouldn’t we make a campaign to stop that?
Wait a minute moral has nothing to do with it … prstorm is not evil or wrong .
We just have stupid people who think
what the search engine say is wrong is really wrong ?
Come on get a brain will you ..
The search engine do all the things they tell everyone else not to do.
Like another term you liberals jump on is the term cloaking LOL
Another one of those thing search engine do them selves .
Thanks for PRstorm but how about a contact for the software or a forum for it please.
Also if you want to get rid of the PRstorm software I will take it then you can right it of as a business loss
does this software still work ?
Reasons I hate the software:
See them here :adsenserevenuepro.com/forum/showthread.php?p=717#post717
Here a fact most don’t realize..
While there are those online who yell and scream like lynch mob about us who cloak
and use spam products .
These people call it blackhat,
like we are in a Salem witch trials…
Fact search engine dislike those who buy links as much as any blackhat type usage.
But when you purchase links it totally Impossible for S.E. to find out that you purchase the links.They all purchase links too because links mean more S.E. Traffic …
But these same Mob of people will buy links…
So they are a bunch of hypocrite are they not !!!
So does this page have a page rank of 4 because of what this software can do or is it just naturally a 4?
[Would I use PRStorm?! No! Have a read of this story and decide for yourself]
hmnn… thats a good question, its page rank 3 now !
[link to guitar dash tuner dash online dot info removed - Michael]
Well, even if the software is considered evil, many blackhat seo guys are still using it for short term gains.
[link to water4gascars dot com removed. Irrelevant! -Michael]
prstorm no working
[a link to bayan dot us was removed - seemingly irrelevant - Michael]
Very interesting conversation going on here. I know nothing of PR Storm except what I have read on another site that referred me to this one. Not sure that it is any better or worse than all the other programs out there used to maximize our websites as there is much speculation as to what is “right” or “wrong.” Are we at an advantage because of our knowledge of such programs and how they work or at a disadvantage because we are tempted to try them? I’m just swishing this around in my head…
[I thought the comments on this post might have stopped long before now. But no. Searches for 'prstorm' via Google are consistently in the top three on this blog! I think SEO is interesting - there are good ways and bad. The bad (for me, at least) are the thousands of blog comments and trackbacks aimed at this blog every week (and stopped by Akismet). Part of that, I guess, is the nature of the content these spammers are trying to promote (porn, pills, poker...).
On the other hand, writing interesting content to make your site genuinely useful, choosing the right key words, and getting other people to link to you is a good thing. The 'proper' application of SEO makes it much easier to find the websites you want. Where, I think, it steps over the boundary is with tools like PRStorm, arguments that I covered here in Moral Maze (The Guardian, August 25 2005). -Michael]
this software does not work
[comment from www netofficials net - Michael]
any similar software like pr storm outside there?
please advise.
[I have removed the link to www diagnosticoweb com. (a page rank checking tool). If there are any more attempts to stick links on this post (which I believe has a good page rank of 3 - hence the attempts!) I may close all comments. I don't want this post to become a place to list SEO software either. You have been warned! -Michael].
Get ready for the worst, PR Storm is DEAD. Welcome the arrival of PR Stumble which is 10 times more effective in link building compared to PR Storm, 50 times faster than PR Storm, search engines don’t have problems with links built with PR Stumble.
–
[I removed the link to prstumble dot info. If it’s more effective, will we see ISPs pull the plug on its users? Have a read of this story!. -Michael.
This technique used to work wonders years and years ago…sadly some people feel the need to be abusive with tricks and Google evolves.
I find it best these days to focus on the old tried and true “good content” built for users…much more powerful than flash-in-the-pan techniques.
_S
[I'm now considering closing comments on this three year old post. There's nothing new to add. A link to www dot shapeable dot com removed from the comment. -Michael]
I totally agree with Sean. The old tested methods are in the long run the best. However there is a point in the arguement that each person is allowed to choose whatever method they prefer to promote their online business as long as it’s legal
[link removed - any more comments with inappropriate links will result in this post being closed. Find your inbound links elsewhere!! -Michael]
I’ve only just found out about PRStorm and found this rather interesting post. I know a little about Search Engine Optimisation and I thin that if used sensible the software would work well. Even if you went crazy and put your links everywhere it would not have a negative effect on your site. maybe just no affect.
Think about this if using PRStorm would kill a site what is to stop me (or anyone) using it on a competitor site, thus getting them banned from google.
Therefore it can only have a positive or neutral effect.
[Link removed www dot daveso dot com. This software worked so well for Mikie Rods that his ISP terminated his broadband account. Is that not a negative effect?! -Michael]
On the other hand, writing interesting content to make your site genuinely useful, choosing the right key words, and getting other people to link to you is a good thing. The ‘proper’ application of SEO makes it much easier to find the websites you want. Where, I think, it steps over the boundary is with tools like PRStorm
–
[And on the other hand, a comment linking to a website promoting Turkish hotels is not what I want to see here. So, I've finally closed the comments on this post. -Michael]