Poll

Is the text posted below...

a) an innocent request to help out a young school kid with an interest in weather
2 (9.5%)
b) a clever marketing concept by Alan's place of many sheds
6 (28.6%)
c) a nefarious drive by malware injection scheme
13 (61.9%)

Total Members Voted: 21

Author Topic: Odd request to add links to your site  (Read 5104 times)

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Offline mackbig

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Odd request to add links to your site
« on: June 13, 2018, 08:59:21 PM »
Hi Everyone.
Long time no chat.

This was received via my contact-us link on my web page.  email partially redacted in case its legit.

Andrew

*********************
To: Webmaster

From:
Sarah Boyd
sarah**@******gclear.com

Message:
Just wanted to send you some positive feedback on your weather page:
http://www.mackweather.com/wxlinks.php

My daughter, Annie, is working on a weather/natural disaster report
for her end of the year project in her science class. (Can you believe
it's JUNE already??)

She had some worksheets she brought home that were all about emergency
preparedness and what to do in severe weather, so I was helping her do
some research. Annie found these guides:

A Guide to Weather Vanes
www.alansfactoryoutlet.com/a-guide-to-weather-vanes
(it was surprisingly hard to find information on weather vanes and
other old-timey weather forecasting!)

Storm and Emergency Guide for Kids
https://beprepared.com/storm-and-emergency-guide-for-kids

Could you include a link to them on your page?

I'd love to show Annie she's helping others stay safe out there!
Appreciate and recognition go so far in children...and as the Scouts
say: 'You can never be too prepared!'

If you add them, let me know; I'd love for Annie to be able to show
her teacher, too! Maybe she'll get some extra credit! She could use it
with the last report card coming out in less than two weeks LOL!

Looking forward to hearing from you!
Sarah Boyd
sarah**@******gclear.com

Sent from (ip address): 173.230.134.59 (li174-59.members.linode.com)
Coming from (referer): http://www.mackweather.com/wxcontact.php
Using (user agent): Mozilla/5.0 (X11; Ubuntu; Linux x86_64; rv:57.0)
Gecko/20100101 Firefox/57.0

Andrew - Davis VP2+ 6163, serial weatherlink, wireless anemometer, running Weather Display.  Boltek PCI Stormtracker, Astrogenic Nexstorm, Strikestar - UNI, CWOP CW8618, GrLevel3, (Station 2 OS WMR968, VWS 13.01p09), Windows 7-64

Online PaulMy

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Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2018, 09:09:53 PM »
Hi Andrew, and welcome back.
Re that request, I have had several very similar requests over the years and had been adding the suggested links and recognition
http://www.komokaweather.com/komokaweather-ca/wxlinks.php


Whenever I have been able to trace the email address they seem to be legitimate schools or institutions.  I see no issue or concern with them.


Regards,
Paul


« Last Edit: June 13, 2018, 10:10:17 PM by PaulMy »

Offline mackbig

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Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2018, 09:19:37 PM »
Hey Paul
I was just in your hood last weekend.  My son had a baseball tournament in North London.

Andrew


Andrew - Davis VP2+ 6163, serial weatherlink, wireless anemometer, running Weather Display.  Boltek PCI Stormtracker, Astrogenic Nexstorm, Strikestar - UNI, CWOP CW8618, GrLevel3, (Station 2 OS WMR968, VWS 13.01p09), Windows 7-64

Offline WeatherHost

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Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #3 on: June 13, 2018, 09:34:53 PM »
I'd ignore it.  I don't see how this could do anything for a student.  If it were an assignment, the STUDENT should be doing it, not the parent.  There should also be a link to the school itself and a way to contact the administration to verify the assignment.


Offline mldenison

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Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #4 on: June 13, 2018, 09:40:42 PM »
I got a similar request today.  The links looked innocuous so I added them:

Code: [Select]
I just wanted to say that, while looking for guides on weather, I found your web page: https://m82a1.us/wxlinks.php

As an ESL tutor, it's been very helpful! With the end of the school year quickly approaching (less than 2 weeks, woo!) the kids are finishing up a fun project for their Earth Science class - they're working on a natural disaster/severe weather report.

I've been helping them do some research, and the group found a couple of good guides I thought I would pass along as a thank you:

Storm and Emergency Guide for Kids
https://beprepared.com/storm-and-emergency-guide-for-kids/

Tornado Safety Guide
www.homeadvisor.com/r/disasters-tornado-safety-tips-and-procedures/

If it's not too much trouble, do you think you could include a link to them on your page for me?

I know you're probably very busy, but I'd like to show the group they're helping to educate others out there. I think they'd get a kick out of it!

If there's anything I've learned from working with kids, it's that appreciation and recognition go a long way! I meet with them later this afternoon :)

Looking forward to hearing from you!
Mrs. Sarah Fox
Windows 7 x64
Weather PC: Intel NUC
Davis Vantage Pro 2
Weather Underground: KPAYORK30
York, PA Weather (Saratoga)
York, PA Weather (Leuven)
York, PA PWS Station

Offline WeatherHost

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Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #5 on: June 13, 2018, 09:42:44 PM »
OK, now I'm convinced it's Spam.


Offline lddaly

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Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #6 on: June 13, 2018, 09:47:45 PM »
We get the same requests, but do not add them to our site. Nothing against the sender, but if their site is ever compromised and serving malware, etc... we don't take the risk.

*********************
To: Webmaster

From:
s***d
s***.com

Message:
Just wanted to send you some positive feedback on your weather page:
http://www.planoweather.com/wxlinks.php

My daughter, Annie, is working on a weather/natural disaster report
for her end of the year project in her science class. (Can you believe
it's JUNE already??)

She had some worksheets she brought home that were all about emergency
preparedness and what to do in severe weather, so I was helping her do
some research. Annie found these guides:

A Guide to Weather Vanes
www.***.com/a-guide-to-weather-vanes
(it was surprisingly hard to find information on weather vanes and
other old-timey weather forecasting!)

Storm and Emergency Guide for Kids
https://***.com/storm-and-emergency-guide-for-kids

Could you include a link to them on your page?

I'd love to show Annie she's helping others stay safe out there!
Appreciate and recognition go so far in children...and as the Scouts
say: 'You can never be too prepared!'

If you add them, let me know; I'd love for Annie to be able to show
her teacher, too! Maybe she'll get some extra credit! She could use it
with the last report card coming out in less than two weeks LOL!

Looking forward to hearing from you!
S***d
s***.com

Akismet Spam Check: probably spam
Sent from (ip address): 173.230.134.59 (li174-59.members.linode.com)
Location: Atlanta, GA
Date/Time: June 12, 2018, 9:14 am CDT
Coming from (referer): http://www.planoweather.com/wxcontact.php
Using (user agent): Mozilla/5.0 (X11; Ubuntu; Linux x86_64; rv:57.0)
Gecko/20100101 Firefox/57.0

Online PaulMy

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Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #7 on: June 13, 2018, 10:15:57 PM »
I had a typo in my original reply and  now corrected
Quote
Whenever I have been able to trace the email address they seem to be legitimate schools or institutions.  I see no issue or concern with them.


Paul

Offline chief-david

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Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #8 on: June 13, 2018, 10:29:59 PM »
 I am a teacher and never get those requests.



You can't phase me-I teach Middle School.
It's not you-It's WU.

Offline Mattk

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Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #9 on: June 14, 2018, 01:10:03 AM »
One should ignore that type of stuff, simply does not read right, there is more to this supposedly innocent request than first meets the eye.

Offline satcop

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    • Clifton Virginia Weather
Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #10 on: June 14, 2018, 07:51:05 AM »
I have received very similar emails as well and they all read similar.  My opinion is that this is either a marketing ploy to get links to sites or something more sinister.  I have chosen to ignore them and move on.
Clifton, Virginia Weather


Blitzortung Stations 1189, 1451 - CWOP EW1675

Offline miraculon

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Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #11 on: June 14, 2018, 08:25:30 AM »
Are the kids still in school in Ontario? It seems that the school year (at least here) is pretty much over.

That might raise some questions....  :-k

Greg H.


Blitzortung Stations #706 and #1682
CoCoRaHS: MI-PI-1
CWOP: CW4114 and KE8DAF-13
WU: KMIROGER7
Amateur Radio Callsign: KE8DAF

Offline mackbig

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Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #12 on: June 14, 2018, 01:19:45 PM »
Too many similarities, and too many dashes in the URLs and it seems the requestors' name is always Sarah.  The lack of the link to the page from the home page of the site is also odd.   If Alan is really into weather vanes you'd think he would link to it from his own primary landing page.

Andrew

ps: Greg, our kids are in school till end of June, and return after Labor day.  The poster if from Georgia, not sure when their school typically ends.


another one below....

*************
Sarah
sar************guide.org

Message:
Hi, I'm Sarah from PreparednessGuide.org. Thanks so much for
dedicating a section of your site to preparedness resources. It’s so
important to arm people with information that will potentially save
lives.
We are doing a series and spreading awareness about hurricane
preparedness around National Hurricane Preparedness Week. Given your
work, I know you’ll agree it’s even more important given the
devastation we saw last year.
In putting together our series, I found some additional resources I
thought you also benefit from here:
http://www.mackweather.com/wxlinks.php .
Thanks again for your efforts in this life saving work.
How to Drive Safely Before, During and After a Hurricane Disaster
https://www.thezebra.com/insurance-news/5685/hurricane-hacks-natural-disaster/
Hurricane Checklist for Business
http://hurricanesafety.org/prepare/prepare-your-business/
Hurricane Preparedness Tips for Parents
https://www.savethechildren.org/us/what-we-do/us-programs/disaster-relief-in-america/hurricane-tips
Hurricane Safety for Construction Sites
https://www.bigrentz.com/how-to-guides/disaster-safety-construction-sites
Preparing for Disasters
https://www.yourstoragefinder.com/organize-and-prepare-for-disasters
Emergency Preparedness for Seniors
http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/seniors
Disaster First Aid and Health Safety
https://www.cprcertified.com/blog/first-aid-and-health-safety-for-disasters
Hurricane Recovery: Getting the Most from Your Homeowners Insurance
https://www.justgreatlawyers.com/disaster-recovery-getting-most-from-homeowners-insurance

Best,
Sarah Brian

Sent from (ip address): 173.239.232.140
(ip-140-232-239-173.texas.us.northamericancoax.com)
Coming from (referer): http://www.mackweather.com/wxcontact.php
Using (user agent): Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64)
AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/66.0.3359.139
Safari/537.36

Andrew - Davis VP2+ 6163, serial weatherlink, wireless anemometer, running Weather Display.  Boltek PCI Stormtracker, Astrogenic Nexstorm, Strikestar - UNI, CWOP CW8618, GrLevel3, (Station 2 OS WMR968, VWS 13.01p09), Windows 7-64

Offline CNYWeather

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Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #13 on: June 14, 2018, 06:47:27 PM »
I got the exact same request on Monday or Tuesday. I get them every once in a while. They get trashed.

Just checked my trash, close to the same email address for good old Sarah but the domain was hostingclear.com
Tony




Offline satcop

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Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #14 on: June 14, 2018, 07:37:52 PM »
Went back and checked and it often times is Sarah, I have also gotten ones indicating that a daughter needs a first aid badge in Brownies and that this link for Tornado or Earthquake or Hurricane or "Zombie Apocalypse" or whatever disaster that could befall us preparedness info that would go toward the badge the girl or boy scout would get.  I really do feel that these are our equivalent of some Prince who is in trouble emails and if we help we could get very rich....
« Last Edit: June 14, 2018, 07:43:17 PM by satcop »
Clifton, Virginia Weather


Blitzortung Stations 1189, 1451 - CWOP EW1675

Offline mldenison

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Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #15 on: June 14, 2018, 08:51:11 PM »
I replied to 'Sarah's' email yesterday and told her the links were in place.  I never heard anything back so now the links are gone.

It occurred to me that while the links display the articles that were mentioned, the content could be substituted for malware in the future.

Too many 'Sarah's' to be legitimate.
Windows 7 x64
Weather PC: Intel NUC
Davis Vantage Pro 2
Weather Underground: KPAYORK30
York, PA Weather (Saratoga)
York, PA Weather (Leuven)
York, PA PWS Station

Offline Bashy

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Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #16 on: June 14, 2018, 11:12:09 PM »
I too have had at least one of these and pretty much word for word and im in the UK, suffice to say, i ignored it/them!!
Kind regards
Bashy

Offline Ian.

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Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #17 on: June 15, 2018, 05:49:33 AM »
I got this also and added the links , I even included Annie's name.

I think I have been duped and will remove the links when I get home.
CWOP - DW3371
PWS - ICAMBRID16
https://www.chatteris.biz

Offline Ian.

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Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #18 on: June 15, 2018, 05:52:19 AM »
I got a similar request today.  The links looked innocuous so I added them:

Code: [Select]
I just wanted to say that, while looking for guides on weather, I found your web page: https://m82a1.us/wxlinks.php

As an ESL tutor, it's been very helpful! With the end of the school year quickly approaching (less than 2 weeks, woo!) the kids are finishing up a fun project for their Earth Science class - they're working on a natural disaster/severe weather report.

I've been helping them do some research, and the group found a couple of good guides I thought I would pass along as a thank you:

Storm and Emergency Guide for Kids
https://beprepared.com/storm-and-emergency-guide-for-kids/

Tornado Safety Guide
www.homeadvisor.com/r/disasters-tornado-safety-tips-and-procedures/

If it's not too much trouble, do you think you could include a link to them on your page for me?

I know you're probably very busy, but I'd like to show the group they're helping to educate others out there. I think they'd get a kick out of it!

If there's anything I've learned from working with kids, it's that appreciation and recognition go a long way! I meet with them later this afternoon :)

Looking forward to hearing from you!
Mrs. Sarah Fox


Mine was signed Sarah Boyd!!!!!
CWOP - DW3371
PWS - ICAMBRID16
https://www.chatteris.biz

Offline graculus

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Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #19 on: June 15, 2018, 10:25:12 AM »
This is an example of low end, unsophisticated, Search Engine Optimization. Posting the links on a high volume forum such as this one has done them a big favor  :lol:

Offline ValentineWeather

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Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #20 on: June 15, 2018, 11:10:34 AM »
I've been getting request to add links from fake school kids, and fake teachers requesting tornado, emergency preparedness request, etc. for about 3 years now. 

I looked at the links and determined some links included advertisement for Jim Bakker doomsday food supply business.   
Randy

Offline Ian.

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Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #21 on: June 15, 2018, 12:25:45 PM »
Doomsday food, mmmm wounder what the ‘use by’ date is  :neutral:
CWOP - DW3371
PWS - ICAMBRID16
https://www.chatteris.biz

Offline SLOweather

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Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #22 on: June 15, 2018, 12:33:26 PM »
I'm not sure if I have received any of these. If I did, I ignored them. I would treat them like I treat kids' fund raisers (Girl Scout cookies, etc.) If someone brings a sales sheet to work for their offspring, I politely decline, and say I'll be happy to buy from the kid if they come and ask me in person.

OTOH, a few weeks ago, I received a polite email from a couple of middle school kids in another state who said they were writing a research paper on rainbows. I googled the school, and their names and it seemed legit, so I answered the questions I could, suggested they do some real research on another, and threw in an odd fact that few people ever really think about (You never see a rainbow from the side or at an angle. It's always head on at 90 degrees.)

They sent me a nice thank-you back.

A week or two later, I realized I coulda talked about moonbows, too, but it was too late.


Online PaulMy

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Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #23 on: June 15, 2018, 01:47:11 PM »
Out of kindness I had added about 13 of these over the years as these seemed to be legitimate at the time - checking email and and school names.  I also did receive an acknowledgement/thank you from a few.  I then mostly never check the links until this thread.  Found some links that were no longer active or redirected so removed those.  Those that still had links to the original, I've left these.
Enjoy,
Paul

 

Offline Ian.

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Re: Odd request to add links to your site
« Reply #24 on: June 15, 2018, 05:42:43 PM »
Just received another request to add a link on my site, this time from: http://wxyzwebcams.com/, going to ignore now due to my recent experience me thinks.
CWOP - DW3371
PWS - ICAMBRID16
https://www.chatteris.biz