Have I just been getting lucky and popping by at the right times the last few days to catch the spam before a mod did, or are more accounts managing to get successfully registered recently?
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Have I just been getting lucky and popping by at the right times the last few days to catch the spam before a mod did, or are more accounts managing to get successfully registered recently?
It's not just you.
Normally I ban people once every month or two, about 8 or more in the last week - and I know the other mods have got others. Definitely some weakness has been found in the registration system by the spam bots.
I just cycled the human verification. Hopefully that's all this needs.
What happens if Kathaksung wants to return? ;)
Should probably make this subforum only visible to registered members.
Registered members with over 50 posts.
Seems to be a common problem in other forums, too (spam relating to streams of sporting events). Someone must have figured out a solution to the verification system and is running with it.
The rise of hostile AI begun. This is Alberjohn's revenge.
Frankly, we should just restrict it to Wraith, Lolli, and myself. We're the only two who legitimately pester Wraith for constant changes to suit us.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aimless
He'll do it if you pay him in bitcoins.
Wraith is it possible to prevent new users from posting hyperlinks?
Apparently that wasn't all it needed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wraith
Doesn't seem to be the case atm.Quote:
Originally Posted by RandBlade
It was a suggestion, not saying it is the case.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aimless
Just got another one...
Thanks Obama.
Bump. Deleted quite a few today.
Also bump, is it possible to hide this subforum from registered members with fewer than 50 posts? No need to let the spammers see us talk, though they're probably all bots anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by RandBlade
Looking at the dates, spambots have been a problem for quite a while. It will likely get worse unless/until the admin or mods have a plan. Do you guys have a plan?
Spambots come with the internet. We have been getting hit a bit more often lately, and if it keeps up, we can crank up the security.
"Quite a while" = 20 years+
Not sure how long I've been a moderator, I'm thinking about 15-16 years but in that entire time deleting spam has been the main thing I've done, not taking action against actual users. Sometimes feel like being a moderator is more like being a janitor, just cleaning up s**t. We can never prevent all spam, just when it becomes a worse problem adopt the latest security.
Wait, so people don't want bitcoin and porn?
Bump. New spam wave seems to be beginning today if anything needs patching.
Definitely a spam wave needs addressing when you get the chance please Wraith.
IP says its coming from Bulgaria if anyone's interested. Don't know how reliable that is.
And here I thought you'd put an end to freedom of movement for people in Bulgaria.
I guess it's when Borq arrived. ;-)
I suppose we don't have access to any routing facility?
(a few iptables commands would probably do it for Bulgaria *g* until they switch location)
Today's first one came from Amsterdam apparently so not all from the same place, again I don't know how reliable that is.
This spam wave started on 1/7, the same date as the Hey Borq thread started so yes, not likely a coincidence.
When I ban the users and delete the threads I 'soft-delete' them meaning they still appear for Wraith, Dread and myself but greyed out but vanish for everyone else - that way I know Wraith can see the issue when he next logs in. So far 12 of the 20 threads on the front page of the General Chat forum for me are the greyed out banned spam and all from July.
Wraith opened up for new registrations to help Borq register, must've happened in that interval. But we shouldn't be rash; this presents Dread with a unique opportunity to access a vast repository of brand new porn—and solidarity born out of nearly two decades of shared history compels us to consider what a ban might mean for him.