# Official Sources & Risks ## 🆓 Maps4FS is COMPLETELY FREE **Maps4fs is 100% FREE - now and forever. No exceptions.** ### What's FREE: * ✅ **Public Web Application**: Use [maps4fs.xyz](https://maps4fs.xyz) anytime, for free * ✅ **Local Deployment**: Install and run on your own computer for free * ✅ **Source Code**: Full access to all code on GitHub for free * ✅ **All Features**: No paid tiers, no premium features, no subscriptions * ✅ **Map Generation**: Generate unlimited maps for free * ✅ **Updates**: All future updates and improvements are free ### NO Paid Features: * ❌ **No paid versions** - Everything is free * ❌ **No paid deployments** - Local installation is free * ❌ **No premium accounts** - All users have full access * ❌ **No paid support** - Community support is free * ❌ **No subscriptions** - No recurring charges ever * ❌ **No hidden costs** - Completely free, forever ### 🚨 If Someone Asks for Money - IT'S A SCAM **Anyone charging money for maps4fs, access to maps4fs, or features of maps4fs is committing FRAUD.** *** ## ✅ Official Sources ONLY Use or download maps4fs **ONLY** from these trusted locations: ### 1. Public Web Application (Easiest Option) **URL**: * ✅ **No installation required** - use directly in your browser * ✅ **Free to use** - no registration, no payment * ✅ **Always up-to-date** - latest version automatically * ✅ **Full featured** - all map generation capabilities * ✅ **Official public deployment** - maintained by iwatkot ### 2. GitHub Repository (Primary Source) **URL**: * ✅ Official source code * ✅ Latest releases * ✅ Complete documentation * ✅ Issue tracker and support * ✅ Local deployment instructions ### 3. Python Package Index (PyPI) **URL**: * ✅ Python package installation: `pip install maps4fs` * ✅ Official PyPI package maintained by iwatkot * ✅ Verify package name is exactly `maps4fs` ### 4. Official Documentation **URL**: * ✅ User guides and tutorials * ✅ Technical documentation * ✅ Installation instructions **Verify the Author**: The official repository owner and package maintainer is **iwatkot**. *** ## 🚨 SCAM WARNING ### If Someone is Selling Maps4fs - IT'S A SCAM! Maps4fs is **completely free**. Anyone charging money for it or for maps created with it is **defrauding you**. ### Common Scam Scenarios #### ❌ Red Flags - Report These Immediately: 1. **Paid Software** * Anyone selling "maps4fs premium" * Websites offering "paid versions" with extra features * Download sites charging for access 2. **Paid Maps** * Anyone selling maps created with maps4fs * "Custom map generation services" for money * Patreon/subscription-based map access 3. **Unofficial Websites** * File-sharing platforms (MediaFire, Mega, etc.) * Third-party download sites * Fake websites pretending to be maps4fs.xyz * Mirror sites claiming to be "official" 4. **Social Media Scams** * Facebook/Discord accounts selling maps4fs content * Instagram/TikTok accounts offering "exclusive" paid versions * YouTube videos with paid download links 5. **Fake Support Services** * Paid "technical support" for maps4fs * Paid "installation services" * Paid "troubleshooting" for issues *** ## 🛡️ Security Risks Downloading maps4fs from unofficial sources exposes you to: ### Malware Threats * **Trojan Horses**: Disguised as legitimate software * **Viruses**: Can damage your system * **Ransomware**: Encrypts your files and demands payment * **Spyware**: Monitors your activity without consent ### Data Theft * **Password Stealers**: Captures login credentials * **Credit Card Theft**: Extracts financial information * **Identity Theft**: Steals personal data * **Browser Hijacking**: Redirects and tracks browsing ### Other Risks * **Cryptocurrency Miners**: Uses your CPU/GPU without permission * **Backdoors**: Allows remote access to your computer * **Keyloggers**: Records everything you type * **Botnet Recruitment**: Uses your PC for attacks ### Modified/Broken Code * Outdated versions with bugs * Disabled or broken features * No official support available * Incompatibility with Farming Simulator *** ## ✅ How to Verify Authenticity ### Check #1: URL Verification Only trust these exact URLs: * ✅ `maps4fs.xyz` (public web application) * ✅ `github.com/iwatkot/maps4fs` * ✅ `pypi.org/project/maps4fs/` * ✅ `maps4fs.gitbook.io/docs` ### Check #2: Author Verification * ✅ GitHub username: **iwatkot** * ✅ PyPI package maintainer: **iwatkot** * ❌ Any other username is **NOT** official ### Check #3: Price Check * ✅ Maps4fs is **FREE** - always * ❌ Any payment request = **SCAM** * ❌ "Donations required" = **SCAM** ### Check #4: Package Name (Python) When installing via pip: ```bash pip install maps4fs # ✅ Correct ``` ❌ Any variation (maps-4-fs, maps\_4fs\_pro, etc.) is **NOT** official ### Check #5: License Verification * ✅ Official license: **CC BY-NC 4.0** * ✅ Check [LICENSE.md](https://github.com/iwatkot/maps4fs/blob/main/LICENSE.md) * ❌ Different license = modified/unofficial version *** ## 📢 Report Scams Help protect the community by reporting scams! ### What to Report * Websites selling maps4fs or related content * Social media accounts charging for maps * Fake download links or mirror sites * Malware-infected versions * Impersonation of the official project ### How to Report 1. **GitHub Issues** * Visit: * Create a new issue with the "Scam Report" label * Include: * URL of the scam * Screenshots if possible * Description of the fraudulent activity 2. **Include Details** * Where you found it (website, social media, etc.) * What they're claiming or selling * Price they're charging (if applicable) * Any suspicious behavior Your reports help us: * Warn other users * Take action against scammers * Protect the community * Keep maps4fs free and safe *** ## 💡 Stay Safe ### Best Practices 1. **Bookmark Official Links**: Save the official GitHub and documentation URLs 2. **Use Official Channels**: Only download from GitHub or PyPI 3. **Verify Before Installing**: Check the source before running any software 4. **Keep Antivirus Updated**: Protect against malware 5. **Trust Your Instincts**: If something feels wrong, it probably is 6. **Share This Information**: Help others avoid scams ### Remember * Maps4fs is **FREE** - now and forever * Official sources are **safe and verified** * Scammers target uninformed users * **When in doubt, ask** on the official GitHub *** ## 💬 Get Help & Report Issues If you're unsure whether a source is legitimate or need help: ### Primary Support Channels 1. **Discord Community (Recommended)** * **Join**: * ✅ Fast community support * ✅ Real-time help from experienced users * ✅ Report scams and suspicious activity * ✅ General questions and discussions 2. **GitHub Issues** * **Visit**: * ✅ Bug reports and feature requests * ✅ Technical issues * ✅ Official issue tracking ### Official Resources * **Web Application**: * **Official Repository**: * **Documentation**: **It's better to ask than to risk your security!** --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://maps4fs.gitbook.io/docs/legal-information/official-sources.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.