How to track which domain names my CMS is used on?

Started by Kingvers, Mar 09, 2023, 08:05 AM

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KingversTopic starter

Can you provide guidance on how to implement the following?

There is an online store engine, a specific development platform, which is distributed for a fee under a license. My goal is to detect any unauthorized usage of this platform. What is the most effective approach to achieve this?

Currently, I have identified three potential methods (and I would like to utilize all of them simultaneously):
- On the PHP side, I can make a system file request a file from my server.
- On the JS side, I can have a JavaScript library send a request to my server.
- On the CSS side, I can load a small image from my server.

It is important that these methods are implemented discreetly. My question is how to execute this on the server side, while minimizing resource usage since every visitor to each site will be sending a request to the server.

I appreciate any guidance or advice you can provide. Thank you in advance.
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dvdv

If CMS requires installation, a one-time request can be made during the installation process.

If the CMS configuration is involved, the request can be made when performing this action.

In general, if I were in a similar situation, I would perform the installation using a single file that retrieves the source code from my server and deploys it on the client's server. This way, I would have control and ensure proper tracking at the same time.
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moonlife447

1. Is it permissible for the engine buyer to have only one copy of the website? What about the need for a development and testing server, or in cases where there is no Internet connection?

 

2. How would you handle situations where your scripts indicate unlicensed usage? It seems like this is the best outcome one can hope for, as determined individuals might still find ways to circumvent the restrictions. Can you share your thoughts on this?

 

3. Take a moment to observe the landscape. Where do you notice people trading engines? They often offer additional services such as updates and plugins. Have you ever wondered why they do this?
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saitove

1. Let's consider the following mechanism: The engine remains inactive without entering a valid license key. In order to activate each function, a specific key must be requested from the server at regular intervals. The more complex and challenging it is to hack, the less likely someone will attempt it.

2. Another option is to organize requests from multiple external IP addresses in an alternating manner.

3. It is important to ensure that each function utilizes different variables and direct access, rather than relying on a single function. Otherwise, it can be easily bypassed.

4. During the installation process, it is crucial to obtain information from the server to validate the entered key. This way, you can keep track of the domain associated with each user.
5. Consider incorporating a mechanism for silently sending data. However, it is advisable to introduce a delay before transmitting the data and avoid automatically blocking the domain. This avoids arousing suspicion too quickly. Instead, after receiving the data, you can discreetly approach the resource owners with a commercial proposal.
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indiaseos

Implementing methods to detect unauthorized usage of a platform can be a challenging task. Here are some suggestions on how you can approach this:

1. On the PHP Side:
- Create a system file that requests a specific file from your server. You can include this file in the core files of the platform.
- Once the request is made, log the details on your server, such as IP address, timestamp, and any other relevant information.
- Regularly review the logs to identify patterns or suspicious activities.

2. On the JS Side:
- Develop a JavaScript library that sends requests to your server at specific intervals or triggers, such as when certain events occur within the platform.
- Similar to the PHP side, log the incoming request details on your server.
- Analyze the logs to identify any patterns or anomalies that might indicate unauthorized usage.

3. On the CSS Side:
- Load a small image from your server using CSS. Make sure to assign a unique URL or identifier to the image for each installation of the platform.
- Monitor the requests for this specific image on your server's access logs.
- Compare the frequency and IP addresses of the requests to identify unauthorized usage.

To minimize resource usage, consider implementing the following strategies:
- Optimize code: Ensure that the code responsible for making requests is efficient, avoiding unnecessary overhead.
- Caching: Implement caching mechanisms to reduce the number of server requests and improve overall performance.
- Throttling: Implement rate limiting or throttling techniques to prevent excessive requests from a single source or IP address.
- Periodic analysis: Instead of analyzing logs in real-time, consider aggregating and analyzing them periodically to reduce immediate resource usage.


additional suggestions to consider:

1. IP Whitelisting: Maintain a list of authorized IP addresses or ranges and only allow requests from those sources. This can help minimize the number of unauthorized attempts reaching your server.

2. User Agent Analysis: Analyze the user-agent header in incoming requests to detect any suspicious patterns or inconsistencies. Unauthorized usage may be indicated by unusual or non-standard user agents.

3. Encryption and Security Measures: Implement encryption mechanisms to secure the communication between the platform and your server. Consider using SSL/TLS certificates and enforcing secure connections (HTTPS) to prevent data interception or tampering.

4. Usage Monitoring and Alerts: Set up monitoring systems that analyze traffic patterns, request frequencies, and other metrics to identify potential unauthorized usage. You can configure alerts to notify you when suspicious activity is detected.

5. Watermarking or Unique Identifiers: Embed unique identifiers or custom watermarks into the platform's code, files, or assets. This can help track instances of unauthorized usage when they appear on the web.

6. License Verification: Implement a license verification system that checks whether the exposed installation is using a valid and authorized license key. Make sure to regularly update and validate the license database.

7. Human Intervention: While automated methods are valuable, manually reviewing logs, analyzing patterns, and investigating suspicious activities may be necessary. Dedicate resources to monitor and respond to potential unauthorized usage.
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joeurciuoli

Tracking which domain names your newbielink:https://www.janbasktraining.com/ [nonactive] is used on can be important for various reasons, including security, monitoring, and maintenance. Here are some methods you can use to track domain names where your CMS is deployed:

CMS Administration Dashboard:

Many CMS platforms provide an administration dashboard where you can view information about your website, including the domain name(s) it is hosted on. Check your CMS documentation or settings for this information.
Google Analytics or Similar Tools:

If you have Google Analytics or another website analytics tool set up on your CMS, you can check the referring domains report to see which domains are sending traffic to your website. This can give you insights into where your CMS is being used.
Server Logs:

Access your web server logs or use server log analysis tools to see which domains are making requests to your CMS. This method may require some technical expertise.
DNS Records:

Review the DNS records for your CMS domain. You can use online DNS lookup tools or command-line tools like nslookup or dig to find the associated domain names. Look for A (IPv4) and AAAA (IPv6) records pointing to your CMS server's IP address.
Reverse IP Lookup:

Use reverse IP lookup tools or websites to find other domain names hosted on the same server as your CMS. This may help you identify additional domains where your CMS is used.
CMS Plugins/Extensions:

Some CMS platforms offer plugins or extensions that can help you track where your CMS is used. These tools may provide insights into the websites using your CMS.
Contact Users or Clients:

If your CMS is used by clients or users who have registered their websites with you, you can directly contact them and ask for the domain names where they've deployed your CMS.
Regular Scans and Monitoring:

Implement regular scans and monitoring of your CMS installations. You can use tools like CMS vulnerability scanners or website security services to keep track of where your CMS is being used.
Community Forums and User Feedback:

If your CMS has an active user community or forum, users may share information about the websites where they are using your CMS. Monitor these channels for insights.
Legal Agreements and Licensing:

Review your CMS's licensing agreements and terms of use. These documents may specify how your CMS can be used and whether users are required to disclose the domains where it's deployed.
Remember that tracking domain names where your CMS is used should be done responsibly and in compliance with privacy and legal regulations. It's essential to respect the privacy of your users and clients while gathering this information.
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