SPAM Attack

This is the place for any magazine-related discussions that don't fit in any of the column discussion boards below.
User avatar
Lenp
Posts: 1532
Joined: Thu Oct 26, 2006 8:11 pm
Location: Maryland
Contact:

Re: SPAM Attack

Post by Lenp »

I'm sure I mentioned this before, but I am on another forum that, after registration, it will not allow you to post anything new until you have responded to a fixed number of other posts, over a set period of time. The responses you provide must be meaningful and related to the original posts.
This stops the 'two-minute member' and their wild string of posts. Many posters are spur of the moment and can't, or are unwilling to, get past that vetting period.
Maybe, Just Maybe.....?
Len

“To invent, you need a good imagination and a big pile of junk.” (T. Edison)
"I must be on the way to success since I already have the junk". (Me)
User avatar
Janitor Tzap
Posts: 1744
Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2006 5:17 pm
Contact:

Re: SPAM Attack

Post by Janitor Tzap »

I have received an E-mail from Sean, and it seems that they're trying some new software to weed out the SPAM.

Well, we'll just have to wait and see.
Meanwhile......
We will have to continue, and endure the current onslaught of SPAM.


Signed: Janitor Tzap
User avatar
Externet
Posts: 1900
Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2002 1:01 am
Location: Mideast USA
Contact:

Re: SPAM Attack

Post by Externet »

It takes a programmer, or hacker, or alike...

For a post count of less than -say 10 posts-; the message (and spam) can be seen only by the poster and nobody else. The spammer believes it is published and bothers no one. Moderation releases to the public if deserved.
- Abolish the deciBel ! -
User avatar
dacflyer
Posts: 4773
Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2002 1:01 am
Location: USA / North Carolina / Fayetteville
Contact:

Re: SPAM Attack

Post by dacflyer »

I still say that new members need to be reviewed before being allowed to be accepted. I think that would help out a lot more than filtering.. Or ??

QUOTED,,,,,,Janitor Tzap
I have received an E-mail from Sean, and it seems that they're trying some new software to weed out the SPAM.
Well, we'll just have to wait and see.
Meanwhile......
We will have to continue, and endure the current onslaught of SPAM.
User avatar
Janitor Tzap
Posts: 1744
Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2006 5:17 pm
Contact:

Re: SPAM Attack

Post by Janitor Tzap »

dacflyer wrote: Tue Dec 28, 2021 5:42 am I still say that new members need to be reviewed before being allowed to be accepted. I think that would help out a lot more than filtering.. Or ??
AGREED!

This site needs more Moderators!

Right now it is only Sean, and the filtering software is just not cutting it. :sad:
I mean....
We're even getting Chinese SPAM!



Signed: Janitor Tzap
dyarker
Posts: 1947
Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2003 1:01 am
Location: Izmir, Turkiye; from Rochester, NY
Contact:

Re: SPAM Attack

Post by dyarker »

Another one today! Is this site listed somewhere as "easy to attack with spam"?
Dale Y
dyarker
Posts: 1947
Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2003 1:01 am
Location: Izmir, Turkiye; from Rochester, NY
Contact:

Re: SPAM Attack

Post by dyarker »

suggest magazine subscribers', and buyers of ads in magazine memberships be active immediately, though still subject to no spamming. other new members can not post for 72 hours (or more), but new posts marked from start to make reading the forum easier.
Dale Y
User avatar
Lenp
Posts: 1532
Joined: Thu Oct 26, 2006 8:11 pm
Location: Maryland
Contact:

Re: SPAM Attack

Post by Lenp »

Guess I'm just plain old dumb, but, what the H--- is the point of all this spam?

Email and phone spam; I get it that they are trying to harvest personal data for nefarious means. That's likely a bust since anyone that responds to their requests probably doesn't have information worth anything. Those of us that do have valuable data rely on banks and credit card systems to provide that valuable information to the hackers for us. It's called a 'security breach' . To fix it, we will just need more levels of ineffective security checks to keep us out of our own accounts.

But on a forum, what is there that is of value to them, other than being a PIA to valid users? Maybe, someone will figure a way to back trace the mail to the account or server and we could launch a counter strike, like a good old fashion DOS (denial of service) attack!
But wait, that's not the accepted way anymore. The new norm is to straighten your tie, lay down, hold your breath, and wait to be walked on.

What have they put in the water or air that is making the whole world looking more like the script from the movie, 'Soylent Green' (remember that)

Since most of our spam is posted the same day the spammer 'joins', a waiting period is a proven way to dampen the fires of hell.
So, what's the reason this is not being considered, or is there a plan to just hope it goes away before the members leave?

Sorry, for the rant. My therapist is out of the office until tomorrow....
Len

“To invent, you need a good imagination and a big pile of junk.” (T. Edison)
"I must be on the way to success since I already have the junk". (Me)
User avatar
CeaSaR
Posts: 1964
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2003 1:01 am
Location: Phoenixville, PA USA
Contact:

Re: SPAM Attack

Post by CeaSaR »

I never could understand why they (the spammers) decided to do what they do. It's a waste of their resources to post such inane crap on non-related sites where they either get deleted (is that now a pipe dream?) or people just pass them by. I do get that it's the "shotgun" approach - scatter as much shot in the air and you're bound to hit a target, but geez!
(Actually, nowadays, since they've "bot" automated everything, it's more of the Ron Popeil approach -set it and forget it)

They (admin) needs to start banning by IP, if that's even possible under phpbb. But first, they need to be present. Is anyone home?
Hey, what do I know?
User avatar
Lenp
Posts: 1532
Joined: Thu Oct 26, 2006 8:11 pm
Location: Maryland
Contact:

Re: SPAM Attack

Post by Lenp »

And furthermore....
It has been noticed that the overwhelming quantity of spam is always in the Discussions part of the board, and rarely in the other sections.
Since I have seen occasional, but not this aggressive form of spam on other forums, the question is...
  • Is it because it is the 'Discussions' section is the most active and gets the largest (maybe a misnomer) quantity of posts?
  • Is it targeted for a personal reason; maybe a disgruntled ex-member?
  • I would think a script-bot would not care, but would blitz everywhere possible. 'Fire-for effect'
  • Or are we just lucky and 'they' like us?
  • Maybe it's something else I've missed!
Hummmm
Len

“To invent, you need a good imagination and a big pile of junk.” (T. Edison)
"I must be on the way to success since I already have the junk". (Me)
User avatar
Lenp
Posts: 1532
Joined: Thu Oct 26, 2006 8:11 pm
Location: Maryland
Contact:

Re: SPAM Attack

Post by Lenp »

Perhaps another option to help rid the spam would be...
If the system could be configured so that when a set number of 'trusted' members flag a post, it is removed until Sean can review it. Then he can make the decision, as he does now, to allow or delete the post. With this idea, if the spammer checks in to see his dirty work, they'll see their posts have a short life, the board will be a bit cleaner, and some pressure comes off Sean.

Maybe?
Len

“To invent, you need a good imagination and a big pile of junk.” (T. Edison)
"I must be on the way to success since I already have the junk". (Me)
User avatar
CeaSaR
Posts: 1964
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2003 1:01 am
Location: Phoenixville, PA USA
Contact:

Re: SPAM Attack

Post by CeaSaR »

Another board I'm a Mod on has the 3 report removal option. It just got a whole new makeover and is still in the sorting out phase, but I just got my Mod abilities back. I got a chance to see some of the back end today and the stuff that has been implemented is working, but I don't know if it'll work for phpbb. We still need a more consistent presence.

As for the Discussion section bearing the brunt, it does have the most posts and activity, so it would make sense to concentrate there.
Hey, what do I know?
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 14 guests