Spambots

[Rapscallion]

We've had three that we know about on this site so far, and I've had others on some of the other forums I run. They get signed on by humans, as far as we can tell, and then they get a bot to start PMing people automatically with a message along the lines of "Hi - I'm new here!" Their signature is a link for advertising.

Thanks to those who reported these scum quickly!

Unfortunately, this has resulted in us having to take certain actions - the spambots are always on accounts with zero posts, so unfortunately this means we've had to restrict those accounts with zero posts to not being able to PM. There's always the 'contact us' link, though, in case someone really does need to contact me with a problem.

This may impact on our ability to provide a service to people who need it, and I do regret having to do this, but I'm not putting up with those scum advertising to all and sundry.

Rapscallion

[bigjimaz]

I know what you mean, Raps. We had to do the same thing at my forum, along with having all first posts moderated.

[nwwaew]

I'm moderator on a forum that kept getting hit by spambots multiple times a day.

The thing that killed them at our forum was a math problem mod in the sign-up form. We'd ask "What is 2+3?" and no bot would be able to answer it. Combine that with purging all spambot accounts from the database, and we've been spam free since.

The problem is, spammers now have a program called XRumer. It can bypass captchas, and uses a database of open proxies, so it's impossible to block. And it has a nasty trick up it's sleeve: it posts a message asking what XRumer is. People immediately help it out by describing and linking to it, which bumps its ratings up in search engines.

[Plaidman]

I remember at Fracting I got a PM from someone saying they were new, and telling me about Buddism. That was strange. The member isn't a member there anymore. (I rarely go there, so I didn't know I had PM there til recently).

[iradney]

I got one at Devil's Panties as well. Some person called Stephanie arbly messaged me saying that she's new here, and had a buddhism signature.
Cors, I didn't reply...

[XCashier]

I remember at Fracting I got a PM from someone saying they were new, and telling me about Buddism. That was strange. The member isn't a member there anymore. (I rarely go there, so I didn't know I had PM there til recently).
I did too, and I reported it to gbm. Doubt I was the only one. Perhaps that's why that member isn't a member there anymore. :devil:

[Spiffy McMoron]

I did too, and I reported it to gbm. Doubt I was the only one. Perhaps that's why that member isn't a member there anymore. :devil:

Bingo! We hate spambots with the firey passion of a thousand burning suns.

[Lace Neil Singer]

Thanks Raps. I got two spambots and reported both to Ree. ^^

[blas87]

I got one the other day, but it must have been while I was asleep, because by the time I read it, that person was no longer a member.

[DesignFox]

I wish I had read this sooner...I got one over on Fratching, but responded to it, cause I fell for it...it was about buddhism come to think of it...

Never heard back from the spammer, but didn't think anything of it until now.

I'll be on better guard. I guess you guys took that one out, cause i haven't gotten any spam since! :)

[MadMike]

My apologies for anyone who received a PM spam just now. Apparently anyone who hadn't been validated was still able to send them out. I've banned the jackass and took away the capability from that group, so this shouldn't happen again.

[crazylegs]

I noticed one banned member now has an avatar of something along the lines of

BANNED Yes I am a loser

Is that anything to do with it? :D

[Rapscallion]

Mayyyyyybeeeee....

Rapscallion

[Crawley]

Yeah, I got the PM from the "new member" talking about Bhuddism. Went by the name of einstein. Not sure if he's still around, if so, Raps he's all yours.

[XCashier]

I noticed one banned member now has an avatar of something along the lines of

BANNED Yes I am a loser
:lol: And funnily enough, the banned twit is still shown as being online, with his name crossed out at the bottom of the front page! Bit of a glutton for punishment?

[Rapscallion]

The bot's still trying to PM everybody. It's completely automated after someone signs it in, we reckon. MadMike's taken another precaution to stop the next one.

Rapscallion

[MadMike]

He's gonna be really ticked when he finds out he's been doing nothing for the last six hours except getting "no permission" messages. :devil: :lol:

[Becks]

Awwwwwwwwww, I never get spam here. *pouts*

Good thing I have AOHell, Yahoo AND MSN. :lol:

[MadMike]

Looks like he's finally gone, as of about 45 minutes ago. He spent a good 11 hours getting nothing but error messages. :lol:

Better yet, Raps checked the logs, and the only one he managed to get his message to was Yours Truly, who just happened to be online when he sent it, and who can (and did) ban his ass. :devil:

[XCashier]

Nothing quite like the satisfaction of being in the right place at the right time, and with the right authority. :D

At least you use your powers for Good. :angel:

[powerboy]

I remember at Fracting I got a PM from someone saying they were new, and telling me about Buddism. That was strange. The member isn't a member there anymore. (I rarely go there, so I didn't know I had PM there til recently).

I had that one also

[Bella_Vixen]

Awwwwwwwwww, I never get spam here. *pouts*

Good thing I have AOHell, Yahoo AND MSN. :lol:


Same here, lilsis.

Although, I haven't checked my Fratching account lately. :lol:

[MadMike]

It's OK, while I didn't get the one from "Einstein", one of my test accounts did. :p