RetroFE forums

General Category => Announcements => Topic started by: Pieter Hulshoff on January 23, 2017, 05:33:41 PM

Title: Spam
Post by: Pieter Hulshoff on January 23, 2017, 05:33:41 PM
You've probably noticed that this forum's increased popularity has also brought in some spammers. I've currently taken the following two steps:
1. New accounts have to accepted by the administrator(s).
2. IP bans will be set up for IP ranges used by spammers.

In short: should you see any spam: just ignore it or report it. I'll get to it, and do what I can to permanently remove those people from this forum.
Title: Re: Spam
Post by: ryuuji on January 23, 2017, 06:50:43 PM
That is good news to have the accounts accepted by the admin.
Title: Re: Spam
Post by: Pieter Hulshoff on January 24, 2017, 08:45:00 AM
I already have over 1500 attempts to create new accounts from the banned IPs...
Title: Re: Spam
Post by: Pieter Hulshoff on January 25, 2017, 07:54:19 AM
They're still busy; over 2500 now...
Title: Re: Spam
Post by: GoodWill Emu on January 25, 2017, 04:33:36 PM
Godd that you keep the spam out.
Look at the emulationstation forum, you'll get shocked for life...  :'(
Title: Re: Spam
Post by: Pieter Hulshoff on January 26, 2017, 08:33:37 AM
Over 4000; so far it seems the IP bans are holding. :)
Title: Re: Spam
Post by: bundangdon on January 27, 2017, 02:50:22 AM
Godd that you keep the spam out.
Look at the emulationstation forum, you'll get shocked for life...  :'(

What blows my mind the most is that some person (or people) actually spammed 'the crap out of' that forum to the point where it's now a gigantic mess. It makes me wonder, did those persons really think that was going to be an effective form of advertising? Or, did they just do that to completely destroy the emulationstation forums?
Title: Re: Spam
Post by: PinealServo on January 27, 2017, 05:28:19 AM
I'm pretty sure it's largely automated.  There's software that knows the standard login procedure for various forums, blog systems, etc. and just crawls the web looking for places to scribble. I think it's meant less for human consumption and more for the consumption of the other web crawlers that determine search rank and that sort of thing. Of course, I'm sure a lot of people end up clicking on some of the links anyway.
Title: Re: Spam
Post by: bundangdon on January 27, 2017, 06:33:35 AM
I'm pretty sure it's largely automated.  There's software that knows the standard login procedure for various forums, blog systems, etc. and just crawls the web looking for places to scribble. I think it's meant less for human consumption and more for the consumption of the other web crawlers that determine search rank and that sort of thing. Of course, I'm sure a lot of people end up clicking on some of the links anyway.

Yep, I've heard the term "spam-bots" quite frequently which is most likely what you're referring to. And they're probably floating around everywhere, finding new and innovative ways to annoy internet users across the globe :)
Title: Re: Spam
Post by: Pieter Hulshoff on January 30, 2017, 09:39:00 AM
It's over 9000!!!!!

Sorry, I'll quit now, but that one just had to be said. :)

IP filters are holding, and accounts have to be acknowledged by me. I'm sure a few will slip by, but with each one I catch the IP filter is extended.
Title: Re: Spam
Post by: KMetalMind on February 04, 2017, 08:22:45 AM
You know the filters are working when you never find spam entering the forum. Good work!!  ;D
Title: Re: Spam
Post by: Floyd on February 20, 2017, 11:37:12 PM
Isn't there a spam protection during account registration? I do remember many forums have something like "click on the pictures containing a storefront" and that kind of measures. I'm sure it will benefit.
Title: Re: Spam
Post by: Pieter Hulshoff on February 20, 2017, 11:56:10 PM
I have strong captchas installed, but that doesn't prevent manual account generation.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Spam
Post by: Pieter Hulshoff on March 16, 2017, 07:09:16 AM
*sigh*, still 10-15 new spam accounts being registered every day. I wonder how long before they give up...
Title: Re: Spam
Post by: dougan78 on March 16, 2017, 09:27:17 AM
Never. 
Title: Re: Spam
Post by: Pieter Hulshoff on April 07, 2017, 02:21:29 PM
I've added two simple questions that need to be answered before an account can be made. So far it seems to be working: no new requests today. :)