Conflict with GoDaddy

[3dom]

Registered domain with GoDaddy.

Made free-for-all short URL redirection service there - like no_url_shorteners

Some idiot used shortened URL in spam e-mail.

Recipient reported my domain as spam sender.

GoDaddy wants $200 to "pardon" my domain.

There are "medium neutrality" laws which means building owner cannot be prosecuted for offensive graffiti on building's walls drawn by strangers.

Then asked GoDaddy to investigate this situation - got letters like "if you are disagree to pay we'll close your account" which look like they written by auto-responder. I have about 30 domains with them so I totally f*** if they decide to close my account.

Please advice - what to do? I think I have like 12 hours to act before they shut down my whole account.

 

[Kate]

Read the T&C.

 

[3dom]

Read the T&C.

Pardon me - what is "T&C"? I'm "slightly" disoriented at the moment.

 

[weblord]

maybe sdsinc means Terms and Conditions
i remembered i paid U.S.$199 for this, you have no other option but to pay that fees it's their removal fees passed to them by spam blockers sites to have their ip removed from it's database otherwise their ip address (used by you) will be blocked forever.

 

[Domagon]

Be glad the redirection was only used as a link in spam email and for not something worse, such as in a phish attack.

As you've found out the hard way, offering a redirection service (same goes for free email / anonymizer proxies) can be risky. It only takes a few, or even one, abusive users to cause big trouble.

In my view, best thing to do is pay the $200 and chalk it up as a lesson learned - and then depending on the quality of the domain, use it for something else / sell it ... or if it's not too good, delete out its name servers so it has none, and let it expire.

Ron

 

[Dave_Z]

In my view, best thing to do is pay the $200 and chalk it up as a lesson learned

Agreed, especially if one values their time and doesn't want to go through a
supervisor or so over potentially violating their agreement.

 

[abercrombie]

i've seen this happen with other shortened URL sites. the bad guys use 'em and the registrar takes the domain hostage. not a good business to go into.

 

[wussadotcom]

cannot transfer first b4 action taken? I recommend Name.com and Dynadot.com

 

[Dave_Z]

cannot transfer first b4 action taken?

Unfortunately, no. Anytime you're seen to violate the registrar's agreement,
they'll lock you out.

 

[verbster]

Yeah, maybe it's easier to just pay the $200 ransom, but there's something fundamentally wrong about this whole process...or rather lack of a process.

 

[3dom]

After few more letters GoDaddy abuse team said they shut down only this certain domain if I refuse to pay - not whole account. I'd say "thanks, god-daddy, for saving $200!"...

Most insane part is I've found domain was reported as spam advertiser for e-mail confirmation letters generated by users! Just 200 letters during 3 months (there were 200 registrations). So I'd say GoDaddy domains aren't compatible with any interactive service which requires registration: I guess every e-mail generated by site can be considered spam - registration, password remind, e-mail confirmation etc.

So I've desided not to pay their fees as I didn't do anything bad and I don't want to mess with the domain/site/service anymore: too much troubles for just 2 thousands visitors and 100k redirects monthly - despite fact the service was featured everythere as it is most advanced thing around.

Good lesson to never ever offer free services without being backed up by "spare" money...

So I'm closing registrations, password reminders, e-mail confirmations, "send to friend" interfaces, "report broken link/image/file", "contact webmaster" pages on all my sites which backed up by GoDaddy's domains to prevent sites being "reported for spam". And, of course, I'm looking for new domain registar as I have plenty domains to save from idiots...

 

[Kate]

Any registrar will have to step in if your names are misused/hijacked. The difference is that godaddy likes to charge you for these 'incidents'. You get a spam issue, gd charges $199. You get URDPed on a name, gd charges you $29 (refundable)... you get the point... gd wants to charge you. In any event you are bound by the terms of service.

 

[3dom]

In any event you are bound by the terms of service.

It's the real price of "cheap" serices. Realized this too late and scared to hell: now I'm looking for domain registar and hosting in EU.

 

[Stix]

Be glad the redirection was only used as a link in spam email and for not something worse, such as in a phish attack.

As you've found out the hard way, offering a redirection service (same goes for free email / anonymizer proxies) can be risky. It only takes a few, or even one, abusive users to cause big trouble.

In my view, best thing to do is pay the $200 and chalk it up as a lesson learned - and then depending on the quality of the domain, use it for something else / sell it ... or if it's not too good, delete out its name servers so it has none, and let it expire.

Ron

I had to close mine a few months back because of spam.

Only diff I had it on my own server and got around 20 spam complaints a day from my hosting provider where I had 24 hours to take care of and remove the links or they lock the whole server. At some point my registar got 1 complaint about spam and I had to sign a letter that the domain will never be used for spam or anything illegal.


It's not worth the trouble.

 

[eric16]

:kickass: TIME FOR SPAMMERS 2 GO DOWN AND HIT ROCK BOTTOM!!! **** THEM ALL!!! **** WIHT ME, ILL MAKE EM MISERABLE FOREVER AND LEAVE HUGE SCARS ON THEIR HEAD.

DIE SPAMMERS DIE !

 

[3dom]

Most interesting part - last step in this conflict:

1) I've been told to pay $200 - said "why?!"

2) GoDaddy staff offered to pay $75 and transfer domain elsethere in 24 hours or else my domain will be "killed";

3) after few hours I answered "I don't want to have that troublemaking service anymore (+ I want to save 75 bucks and about +10 for trasfer fee and few hours of my time for transfer massive database)";

4) after 40 hours as I didn't pay anything GoDaddy's abuse team said "never mind then - but next time we'll ask $200 or close your site for sure".

5) nothing happened despite I didn't pay neithter $200 nor $75.

So probably those who paid $200 or $75 in similar situations shouldn't do it...

 

[domain8888]

Hi

I am thinking the only safe way for these kind of sites is a bullet proof domain name and bullet proof hosting,

Just a thought

 

[Dave_Z]

5) nothing happened despite I didn't pay neithter $200 nor $75.

Try accessing it online or logging in within 24-48 hours. Let's see by then.

I am thinking the only safe way for these kind of sites is a bullet proof domain name and bullet proof hosting

There is no such thing, especially if you don't fully control them both.

 

[Takwa]

heard it first time here does it happen anywhere else?

 

[wussadotcom]

Hi

I am thinking the only safe way for these kind of sites is a bullet proof domain name and bullet proof hosting,

Just a thought

Go and buy a server and setup your own hosting company. You can always buy Godaddy or Dynadot for registrar
Though a resellar is much more affordable. Hei.. I think thats not too bad.

Server ~ $500
Directi Reseller ~ $500
$1k - You have a bullet proof website.