Stanford removes Team FTL

Team FTL was penalized sometime today and we moved up a spot along with a number of other teams.

I filed a complaint to ViJay Pande, providing download link proof of illegal distribution of Stanford software-(via The Pirate Bay), back in December 2008. This Team FTL gained over 6000 active folders and over 100 million points, by including a preset team number, auto installing F@H uniprocessor client, into a popular game patch.

Well done Jammer! I wonder if they were the only team that were into this?

sounds like a brilliant scheme they came up with. Nice job getting them off the list.

It's sad, really... while folding is a good thing, folding illegally is not. All those people who were forced to fold through illegal means will not want to do so any longer, and that gives our cause a bad name.

Looks like Team FTL is back - their on our threatlist again
They appear to have been penalized, not removed.
But have had 102 million points removed, the week of 2/22

102 million point penalty

Hmm.....as much I like to see them back in the Fold again (pardon the pun), removing the points isnt really much of a penalty.

Kind of agree there Icey. The team should have been broken up.

Yes. However, let's think outside of the box. Why penalize the entire team? Or why eliminate them totally, for that matter?

Just imagine the following scenario... Let's say I am John Doe and I'm folding for Team XYZ. My team has over 500 active folders, we're pumping out great numbers, so everything is going smoothly, we're also doing good on the ranks. But since we have so many proactive folders with lots of folding resources and capabilities, John Doe is frustrated because he can't keep up with the Top 20 folders. So he thinks like this...

There are several solutions. Either downloading something that is really "hot" on the torrents, such as a pirated software (new latest version) or a game that's going to be just released, or a movie, you name it. Let's include a b0rg copy of F@H, set it up to fold under John Doe's nick, and reupload the prepared torrent to various trackers. Kaboom. If done well, John Doe will pump out impressive numbers.

Or there are other solutions, you can basically use blind SQL injections after finding the vulnerabilities on numerous websites that did not explicitly block the file upload function (especially high-ranking bloggers that aren't necessarily computer-savvy, but even hi-profile companies are vulnerable, though). Then it's just a matter of time and patience to find a folder with write permissions, you set up the b0rg F@H copy there, and implement a hidden install via the dynamically generated web page. Kaboom. As easy as that.

And then you have millions of folders - easy. Think of porn sites. Or blogs that claim giving out user accounts to popular porn sites like Brazzers and all that. These are filled with hidden URL redirections, open up popups, make you go crazy with advertisements, install toolbars, and just as easily they will also make you fold, if need be. So that's all.

Now the questions remains - why punish the entire team? Were they all guilty of charge? Or what happened?

Think about it. We don't use passphrases. So if there comes a random Steve and does illegal b0rg activites under my folding account - madhyena - and under our team - DevFolding. What's up with that? Am I guilty? Certainly not. Is the entire team guilty? If the process goes on for months, do we get banned? Or should we? Do we get penalized with 100 mil points? It's screwed up. There's little to nothing one should do about these kind of activities.

Neither of the approach is good and I do not think that Team FTL should been banned but nor penalized...

I take your point Mad but surely if it HAD been one member of Team FTL responsible, wouldn't the other members have noticed? OR did they notice and turn a blind eye thinking "This is good for the team"?
Or was it numerous members of the team? A gain of 6000 new active folders is an awful lot. And bear in mind, none of the points gained went to ONE individual, they went to the TEAM! If our team suddenly gained 6000 new active folders; wouldn't YOU notice? Damn sure I would.

But how sudden was the gain? I mean, it's one thing if the number of folders jumped by 6K in a day, but what if the increase happened gradually, like over the space of six months?

It doesn't matter - distributing any F@H client from anywhere other than the client download page, is against the Pande Group's/Stanford's download policy!!

Otherwise this would be a daily ocurrence which undermines everyones honesty to contribute to an honest scientific project

Actually read the license if ya don't believe me!!!

They're back.

http://folding.extremeoverclocking....php?s=&t=149135

EDIT: Okay - somewhat old. What's going to happen, do you think?

TeamFTL's website:



please post comments there. this account will not be monitored.

So you post on our forums, link to your blog.... before your blog post about the "scandal" .... you offer a download link to the F@H client? GG, keep digging.

Damn straight it won't.