Mike Walker 01/08/98 07:59 AM

To:webmaster@flash.net

cc: Subject:ATTN: Jon Sigler

Jon, Below is the copy of a message sent to the mcblend account. I have called both customer care and technical support and they have repeatedly referred me to this address for resolution . My general experience with FlashNet has been positive so I hope you can help me resolve this matter. The automated FTP connections that you reference in your email to Mark Chaney (acct: mcblend ) are actually automated uploads from a web camera. Before opening FlashNet accounts for Mark (and three other customers I have since setup) I asked and was told by technical pre-sales people at FlashNet that there were no limits on these services with the annual pre-paid account. I understand that you don't want people to have constant or frequently reoccurring FTP connections to the site, and have now adjusted the cameras to only upload pictures every two minutes. The pictures are small (15k) and are replacing files of the same name on the web server (which is why it may look like there is no activity in the log files, the software [ISPY] does not upload unless a new picture is available). The total throughput for a 24 hour period is generally 10.5 to 10.8 mb which is really not a large amount of data. I understand that from a logging point of view this may look like some type of attack or keep-alive software, but I assure you it is not malicious and is, in fact, an integral part of a webcam ring I have setup here in Newport Beach. I would also like to mention that this webring has brought a significant amount of business to FlashNet simply by word of mouth advertising in the Newport Beach area. Will you please review your decision to limit this type of access or contact me for further details regarding the process of restrictions at your earliest convenience As a courtesy, I have shut down the site pending your decision. Thanks Jon. :Mike Walker P.S. If you are wondering, I am a Network guy who does web stuff on the side. The webcams have gotten so popular I have set 5 of them up in Newport Beach, and I am just helping these guys out with the technical side of getting their mugs up on the Internet.

_______________________________________ Original Message Follows ___________________________

I have noticed in the course of routine security checks that user "mcblend" generates an inordinate number of ftp connections into our webserver on a daily basis. Most ftp connections generated by user "mcblend" do not show any activity in terms of writing to or deleting files. This is often indicative of automated "connectivity enhancement" software. We would appreciate it if you would adjust or disable this software to limit the number of ftp connections. We understand the necessity to update www files, but the vast majority of ftp connections initiated by user "mcblend" do not result in any file transfer activity. If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail me. Cheers!