New Years Resolution -- More Spam?

Max · 02-01-2011, 11:43 PM

I think everyone here has noticed that the spam has gotten out of control here. Are there any further steps we can take? There is probably only one person doing this because the number of spammers is much lower than you might think, but I am just wondering if there is a way to stop this, because it has happened before.

Geezer · 02-02-2011, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max

I think everyone here has noticed that the spam has gotten out of control here. Are there any further steps we can take? There is probably only one person doing this because the number of spammers is much lower than you might think, but I am just wondering if there is a way to stop this, because it has happened before.

I have never seen so much spam on this forum. It is like someone opened the flood gates a couple of months ago. OR, they were being removed so quickly by the moderators that we never saw them.

CK1 · 02-02-2011, 12:43 AM

I am really noticing a heigher rate of spam. i don't know if particular spammer have discovered the board or have developed an application to auto post on all these types of message boards.

Max · 02-02-2011, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CK1

I am really noticing a heigher rate of spam. i don't know if particular spammer have discovered the board or have developed an application to auto post on all these types of message boards.

A lot of times it is just 1 person. There aren't that many spammers out there, they just have certain algorithms in place to automatically send these messages to people/post them. I'm sure everyone here would be civilized enough to allow us to flag these posts for spam. I have always had the feeling that this forum generally advocates free speech, and nobody will abuse the system.

WhyYou · 02-02-2011, 02:15 AM

Every member of this message board has the ability to flag any post that they think is spam by reporting that post. There is a report icon on the lower left under the nickname of the poster.

There are 3 Moderators here and we have been doing the best we can to keep ahead of the spammers. However, since the first of this year the number of bans went from a little over 400 to over 2500 in one month. During this time we have had some controls activated. But any control can be worked through by a determined spammer. We have learned a trick or two to help us identify some spammers before they post their spam. But arbitrarily banning people because they look like spammers is not a good idea.

Recently, the amount of spam has diminished for the most part. There are still times when there will be peaks. Just remember that we Moderators must sleep sometimes.

Max · 02-02-2011, 05:35 AM

Here's a minor problem with the flagging system, and a solution:

Problem: You can only flag 1 spam every 60 seconds and the spammers send 2 messages at a time.

Solution: Allow 2 reports every 60 seconds.

Max · 02-02-2011, 05:37 AM

something else I noticed was those foreign characters in half of their messages. If you block those, you will block half of the incoming spam at the moment.

02-01-2011, 11:43 PM	#1
Max Danielle's Imaginary Boyfriend Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 769	Spam I think everyone here has noticed that the spam has gotten out of control here. Are there any further steps we can take? There is probably only one person doing this because the number of spammers is much lower than you might think, but I am just wondering if there is a way to stop this, because it has happened before.

02-02-2011, 12:43 AM	#3
CK1 Danielle's Biggest Fan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Near Orlando, Fl Posts: 468	I am really noticing a heigher rate of spam. i don't know if particular spammer have discovered the board or have developed an application to auto post on all these types of message boards. __________________ Once a king, always a king Once a knight is never enough

02-02-2011, 02:15 AM	#5
WhyYou Lead Moderator (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Joplin, Missouri Posts: 829	Every member of this message board has the ability to flag any post that they think is spam by reporting that post. There is a report icon on the lower left under the nickname of the poster. There are 3 Moderators here and we have been doing the best we can to keep ahead of the spammers. However, since the first of this year the number of bans went from a little over 400 to over 2500 in one month. During this time we have had some controls activated. But any control can be worked through by a determined spammer. We have learned a trick or two to help us identify some spammers before they post their spam. But arbitrarily banning people because they look like spammers is not a good idea. Recently, the amount of spam has diminished for the most part. There are still times when there will be peaks. Just remember that we Moderators must sleep sometimes. __________________ It's what's inside that counts the most

02-02-2011, 05:35 AM	#6
Max Danielle's Imaginary Boyfriend Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 769	Here's a minor problem with the flagging system, and a solution: Problem: You can only flag 1 spam every 60 seconds and the spammers send 2 messages at a time. Solution: Allow 2 reports every 60 seconds.

02-02-2011, 05:37 AM	#7
Max Danielle's Imaginary Boyfriend Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 769	something else I noticed was those foreign characters in half of their messages. If you block those, you will block half of the incoming spam at the moment.