Spambots

Rapscallion · #1 03-27-2008, 10:40 PM

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 · #2 03-27-2008, 11:24 PM

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

nwwaew · #3 03-28-2008, 05:56 AM

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 · #4 03-28-2008, 06:33 AM

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 · #5 03-28-2008, 06:38 AM

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 · #6 03-28-2008, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Quoth 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).

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.

Spiffy McMoron · #7 03-28-2008, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Quoth XCashier

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.

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

Lace Neil Singer · #8 03-28-2008, 07:11 PM

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

blas · #9 03-28-2008, 07:36 PM

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 · #10 04-03-2008, 02:17 AM

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!