This is Good ~ Google Clamps Down on "Content Farms" ...

Some people will do anything and everything to generate more "traffic" to their sites. Rumors are one way they do it and another way is Pagejacking.

Have you ever googled a topic for research and ended up with a recommended website that has nothing to do with the subject your researching? How annoying is that. For example, you need to find information from the UN's website and you google the topic and it takes you to a a forum or blog that has nothing to do with your search.

This is also known as pagejacking and people pagejack legitimate websites so that they can get "traffic" to their sites. The more "traffic" they get, the more money they make from ad sense or whatever advertising company they choose to use. It's unfair and it's illegal ~ The activity of stealing content (typically in the form of source code) from a Web site and copying it into another Web site in order to siphon some of the original site??s traffic to the copied Web pages. Pagejackers rely on search engines to spider the contents of the illegitimate site and index the results so that the copied site will appear in the search result rankings along with the original site??s rankings. Users can be tricked into thinking the illegitimate site is the one they are searching for, and once they visit the copied site they may be subjected to mousetrapping. The term pagejacking is a combination of the words Web page and hijacking, indicating that a Web page has been hijacked.

(FCC to Pass Net Rules that Would for the First Time Prevent Internet Service Providers from Blocking or Giving Preferential Treatment to Web Sites ...)

Google clamps down on "content farms"

26 February 2011

SAN FRANCISCO - Google has changed its secret search formula in the United States to be more discerning when it comes to which websites are worth recommending and which should sink in the rankings.

The move announced late Thursday was part of an ongoing duel between the search titan and low-quality websites that feature only content copied from elsewhere on the Internet or use techniques to trick their way high in results.

"Many of the changes we make are so subtle that very few people notice them," Google principal engineer Matt Cutts and Google fellow Amit Singhal said in a blog post.

"But, in the last day or so we launched a pretty big algorithmic improvement to our ranking."

They said the search formula change affects 11.8 percent of search queries, dropping low-quality websites in results while elevating high-quality websites with original content such as research, analysis, or in-depth reports.

"We do have a responsibility to encourage a healthy web ecosystem," Cutts and Singhal wrote.

"Therefore, it is important for high-quality sites to be rewarded, and that's exactly what this change does."

Google said that it has been working on the issue for more than a year and engineers spent several months crafting the algorithm change, which was implemented in the United States and will be rolled out elsewhere over time.

The change at the world's most popular search engine was a hot topic among website operators on Thursday, with some happy that Google knocked "content farms" down a few notches and others complaining of unfairly dropping in rank.

Content farms are in Google crosshairs because such websites are known to pack pages with copied or superficial material crafted to capitalize on attention-getting topics.

Such websites want to attract as many people as possible in hopes of making money off online advertising.

"They may have whacked eHow good, but they did it in part through a crude duplicate content filter," someone with the online name 'Content ed' said in a busy chat forum at webmasterworld.com.

"I'm seeing long established sites getting killed because they have been ripped-off, copied and rewritten/repurposed to the point that Google can't tell who was the original."

Demand Media runs eHow, answerbag and other websites referred to by some as "content farms" because they are crammed with articles seemingly geared more to score high in search rankings than be top sources of information.

"As might be expected, a content library as diverse as ours saw some content go up and some go down in Google search results," Demand Media executive vice president of operations Larry Fitzgibbon said in a blog post.

"It's impossible to speculate how these or any changes made by Google impact any online business in the long term," he continued. "But, at this point in time, we haven't seen a material net impact on our Content & Media business."

Demand Media websites focus on "useful and original" content, Fitzgibbon maintained.

The Google crackdown comes a month after Demand Media went public with its first offering of stock. Demand Media shares slipped more than three percent to US$22.19 per share in late trading on Friday.

Google continually refines its search formula in a quest to deliver more relevant and useful results at faster speeds.

Website operators from the honourable to the nefarious have taken to employing "search engine optimization" tactics such as abundantly repeating popular query terms or fostering high numbers of links to other properties.

While Google keeps its search formula secret, both those factors raise websites in rankings of results.

There is tremendous subjectivity in the debate regarding content farms, and Google is in a difficult position, Greg Sterling of search news website Search Engine Land told AFP.

"Their success has bred a whole industry of freelancers producing articles that are ultimately designed to show display ads and rank highly in search results," Sterling said.

"They feel compelled to address it because they are being criticised by many sides that results are full of spam," he continued. "Google feels that if it doesn't address this, its existence is threatened."

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/technologynews/view/1113121/1/.html

Related articles ~

FCC to Pass Net Rules that Would for the First Time Prevent Internet Service Providers from Blocking or Giving Preferential Treatment to Web Sites ...

Pagejacking - identifying and dealing with pagejackers ... http://legendsintheirownminds.blogspot.com/2010/12/pagejacking-identifying-and-dealing.html

PEACE AND JUSTICE ARE TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN ...

Going Global East Meets West

Looking for "http://articlesofinterest-kelley.blogspot.com/ "

New Address ... http://goingglobaleastmeetswest.blogspot.com/

CYBER CRIME - BE SMART - BE SAFE - AND - LOOKOUT FOR WEB SITES THAT PREY ON UNSUSPECTING, POTENTIAL VICTIMS ...

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/cyber/cyber

Key Priorities- Computer Intrusions- Innocent Images: Online Predators- Anti-Piracy/Intellectual Property Rights- Fraud: Internet Crime Complaint Center

Initiatives & Partnerships- Cyber Action Teams- Computer Crimes Task Forces- Identity Theft- InfraGard: Protecting Infrastructure- National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force- National Cyber-Forensics & Training Alliance- Strategic Alliance Cyber Crime Working Group

Cases & Takedowns- 2,100 ATMs Hit at Once- Operation Phish Fry- Dark Market- More

Wanted by the FBI- Cyber Crime Fugitives- Crimes Against Children Fugitives

Cyber Threats & Scams- Threat Overview: Speech- E-Scams & Warnings- Common Internet Frauds- Internet Crime Reports- National Cyber Alert System- Peer-to-Peer Networks - Social Networking Sites

Protections- Report a Cyber Incident- Get Educated on Internet Fraud- How to Protect Your Computer- Parent's Guide to Internet Safety

More Resources- Cybercrime.gov- National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace (pdf)- Project Safe Childhood- Secret Service Electronic Crimes Task Forces

I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have ...

I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong ~ Abraham Lincoln

The Spider and the Fly poem by Mary Howitt

Step into my parlour?" said the Spider to the Fly,
'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;

The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I've a many curious things to shew when you are there."

Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."

"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;
Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the Spider to the Fly.

"There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,
And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in!"

Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "for I've often heard it said,
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"

Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, " Dear friend what can I do,
To prove the warm affection I 've always felt for you?

I have within my pantry, good store of all that's nice;
I'm sure you're very welcome -- will you please to take a slice?"

"Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "kind Sir, that cannot be,
I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!"

"Sweet creature!" said the Spider, "you're witty and you're wise,
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!

I've a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf,
If you'll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself."

"I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you 're pleased to say,
And bidding you good morning now, I'll call another day."

The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again:

So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready, to dine upon the Fly.

Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,
"Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;

Your robes are green and purple -- there's a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!"

Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;

With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue --

Thinking only of her crested head -- poor foolish thing! At last,
Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.

He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,
Within his little parlour -- but she ne'er came out again!

And now dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne'er give heed:
Unto an evil counsellor, close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.

Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force Announces Results of Largest-Ever Nationwide Operation Targeting Investment Fraud

“With this operation, the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force is sending a strong message,” said Attorney General Holder. “To the public: be alert for these frauds, take appropriate measures to protect yourself, and report such schemes to proper authorities when they occur. And to anyone operating or attempting to operate an investment scam: cheating investors out of their earnings and savings is no longer a safe business plan - we will use every tool at our disposal to find you, to stop you, and to bring you to justice.”

December 09, 2010

Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force Announces Results of Largest-Ever Nationwide Operation Targeting Investment Fraud

Please go to link and read this ~News release: "Attorney General Eric Holder announced the results of Operation Broken Trust, a nationwide operation organized by the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force to target investment fraud.

To date, the operation has involved enforcement actions against 343 criminal defendants and 189 civil defendants for fraud schemes that harmed more than 120,000 victims throughout the country.

The operation’s criminal cases involved more than $8.3 billion in estimated losses and the civil cases involved estimated losses of more than $2.1 billion. Operation Broken Trust is the first national operation of its kind to target a broad array of investment fraud schemes that directly prey upon the investing public."

http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2010/December/10-ag-1390.html

AVOIDING TRUST SCAMS - ALWAYS ASK THE ADVICE OF AN ATTORNEY ~ It's the scam artist that takes your money - Most Attorney Consultations are "Free"

AVOIDING TRUST SCAMS

The Castleman Law Firm
A Professional Corporation

5870 Stoneridge Mall Road, Ste. 207
Pleasanton, California 94588
(925) 463-2221
Fax (925) 463-0328

There are good trusts and there are bad trusts. Good trusts are part of a process used by legitimate estate planners and their clients to control the disposition of assets, avoid probate, reduce administration costs, save estate taxes, and preserve family wealth for future generations. This article is not about the good trusts. It is about bad trusts.

There are two main categories of bad trusts: scam trusts and mill trusts.

Scam Trusts

What are scam trusts? These are so called "trusts" or "contracts" that are promoted by scam artists who claim that their documents and plans will allow individuals and, in some cases businesses, to avoid or significantly reduce all taxes, including income taxes. The promoters also claim that their plans, for which they charge a hefty fee, will make your assets unreachable by creditors. They often use a complex structure that involves the "irrevocable" transfer of your assets to one or more business or trust entities controlled by you. The promoters claim that the arrangement will significantly reduce or eliminate not only estate taxes but also income taxes. Scam trusts are marketed through high pressure seminars, by door-to-door salesmen, and on the Internet. In some cases, they are recommended by well meaning but poorly informed CPA's, financial advisors, friends, or business acquaintances. The marketing techniques can be very persuasive, and are aimed at all classes of people. I have seen doctors, dentists, accountants, and financial advisors fall for the hype.

How can you recognize them? Remember the following four tests:

The "Name" Test: The name of the trust is often a hint that something is amiss. The scam trusts have a variety of forms and names such as: "Constitutional Trusts," "Pure Trusts," "Common Law Trusts," "Unincorporated Business Associations," "Asset Protection Trusts," "Business Trusts" (not to be confused with legitimate Massachuset Business Trusts), and "Family Trusts" (not to be confused with legitimate revocable family trusts).

The "It Seems Too Good To Be True" Test: If the trust is promoted as one that will reduce or eliminate your personal income tax, watch out. Almost all of the scam trusts purport to allow a person or a family to arrange their assets and business affairs in a manner that will avoid or substantially reduce income taxes, change nondeductible personal expenses into deductible business expenses, or redirect all, or most of, a person's ordinary income into retirement savings.

The "Authority Approval" Test: The promotional materials that are used to help sell scam trusts often contain incorrect references to the Constitution, as well as references to court cases that have been overturned or changed by statute. They often cite scripture. The promoters of these fraudulent trusts often incorrectly associate the names of prominent families, such as Kennedy or Rockefeller, with the trusts that they are trying to peddle. Here is part of an actual sales pitch written by a scam trust purveyor:

You can LEGALLY avoid excessive taxation in order to build a financially secure estate; dramatically reduce your liabilities; gain the ultimate in personal and business privacy; and eliminate all the estate and inheritance taxes plus probate costs. This previously "secret" method has been successfully utilized by the nation's wealthiest families: the Rockefellers, the Hunts, the Kennedys and others, plus leading oil and industrial companies. All of these have demonstrated that it is a POSSIBLE, LEGAL, and EFFECTIVE solution to avoid estate shrinkage. First, this is possible because the United States of America is founded on the principle that the peoples' unalienable rights are originally received directly from our Creator! This is why we acknowledge our country to be a "NATION UNDER GOD" ("of the people, by the people, and for the people").

Embodied in this principle is the "Key" to total protection of your personal and business assets - the Constitution. It recognizes our inalienable rights by the use of the Law of the land by which we protect our freedoms, and our property.

The "Dumb Advisor" Test: In almost all cases the promoters of scam trusts will caution you against having your CPA or attorney review the documents that the promoters want to sell to you. They often say that CPA's and attorneys simply do not understand them, or have a vested interest or bias against them.

What is wrong with scam trusts? BEWARE!

Trusts and business arrangements that are marketed as a way of avoiding all or a substantial amount of income tax are almost always illegal. These are classified as "abusive arrangements" by the IRS. Any person who creates one of these trusts will, when caught by the IRS, have to pay all back taxes owed, interest, and serious penalties. Criminal sanctions will be imposed upon all who participate in the promotion of abusive trusts. A transfer of real estate to a scam trust may result in a reassessment by the county appraiser resulting in significantly greater property taxes. Once you have entered into a scam trust, and perhaps transferred title to some or all of your assets, it can be very expensive to undo the arrangement.

STAY AWAY FROM SCAM TRUSTS.

Mill Trusts

Now, let's consider mill trusts.

What are mill trusts? I define a mill trust as a generic "one size fits all" document ostensibly designed to avoid probate and save estate taxes. Often the producer of the document is not a lawyer, but may claim to have the document either "created by," "reviewed by," or "approved by" a lawyer.

How can you recognize mill trusts? Again, there are four tests

The "Lack of Counsel" Test: Proper estate planning requires substantive individual legal counseling. Mill trusts are usually produced after the "client" has filled out a simple form questionnaire (often of the "check the box" type). The client is usually given very little counseling. Often the mill trust client meets only with a "paralegal," a CPA, or a financial advisor, but not with an attorney who specializes in estate planning.

The "Limited Purpose" Test: Mill trusts are often prepared solely for the purposes of avoiding probate and/or saving estate taxes. No consideration is giving to protection in the case of incompetency, planning protective distributions for descendants, or tailoring distributions for families with children or grandchildren of different marriages. No consideration is given to integrating life insurance and retirement funds with the dispositions provided for in the trust documents.

The "Lack of Funding" Test: Most mill trusts do not work because they are not properly funded, meaning that assets are not transferred into the trust. The client is usually given no help in effecting the transfers. As a result, the majority of mill trusts are not properly funded. When a trust is not properly funded, it does not work.

The "Cheap" Test: Mill trusts usually range in cost from $350 to less than $1000. What you get is what you pay for--not very much.

What is wrong with mill trusts?

Although mill trusts are not burdened with the illegalities of scam trusts, they are usually a waste of money and not suited for proper estate planning. An unfunded mill trust is a waste of money because assets not transferred to the trust will not be controlled by the trust terms and may have to be probated. Many mill trusts contain provisions which can actually result in increased estate taxes. People who prepare mill trusts almost never take into consideration retirement assets and life insurance proceeds. A failure to integrate retirement fund and insurance policy planning with the overall estate plan can lead to increased taxes and ultimate distributions that are inconsistent with your goals.

Proper estate planning requires consideration of your specific needs and family goals. When done correctly, much can be accomplished. When done incorrectly, much may be lost.

Read More Articles at this Law Firms Web Site: http://www.castlelaw.com/scamtrust.htm