Trying to get a profit from such things was and always will be a shady noob thing to do. Release groups don't exist to make a profit, and that's why they've thrown such a wrench in the for-profit internet. It's not like the types of people who used to hack boxes to set up an FTP drop didn't have the means to purchase legitimate hosting, but a combination of legitimate hosting not allowing such content knowingly, the lack of accountability / traceability on such a system, and the pure pleasure / glory / novelty / status of exploiting your way to free hosting, then using that hosting to distribute your exploits.
It was also an easy way to limit access to your cracks / serials / whatever to only your friends and other respected people in the scene. The exclusivity made it a status symbol, just like with any status symbol.
It was also an easy way to limit access to your cracks / serials / whatever to only your friends and other respected people in the scene. The exclusivity made it a status symbol, just like with any status symbol.