Spambots - The Five-Minute Forums

Zeke · #1 10-05-2006, 10:52 PM

Yes, yes, we've got spambots. At least ten phony registrations a day, and some of them are somehow defeating the email confirmation system and managing to post. The reason this is happening -- to such an extent, anyway -- is that ever since the move to vBulletin, the images used by our security test aren't working. I had to disable it entirely to let anyone but spambots get through. (I'm not just flattering myself, by the way -- we've had quite a few real registrations amid all these bots.)

Antony's been working on it, but this particular problem is new territory for him. It may take him a while longer. In the meantime, please don't answer the spam threads. I delete the threads as soon as I see them, but replying won't make me see them any faster.

PointyHairedJedi · #2 10-07-2006, 08:54 AM

A forum admin or two would help, you know. You'd need someone completely trustworthy and who is unlikely to grossly abuse their powers though. Someone like me, for instance.

Zeke · #3 10-07-2006, 05:51 PM

PHJ... with power.

Sorry, nothing about that is sounding safe.

mudshark · #4 10-07-2006, 05:54 PM

PHJ, a spambot, a locked room... and a pair of pliers. Hmmm...

PointyHairedJedi · #5 10-07-2006, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeke

PHJ... with power.

Sorry, nothing about that is sounding safe.

But wouldn't it be fun to watch though?

MaverickZer0 · #6 10-07-2006, 09:00 PM

Oh yes, I'm sure. Like a train wreck or something.

e of pi · #7 10-08-2006, 06:31 PM

Would it be possible to create a moderation system? Some way so that if, say, three or four people mark an account as a bot within a day, it is deleted? Then, the privielige to "mark" would be given to some of the seniormost members, sush as site staff and major posters. without needing the full powers of the Great Zeke. Just a thought.

whoiam · #8 10-08-2006, 11:59 PM

it might be possible to give some of us the authority to delete inappropriate posts/topics, without getting any of the other powers like editing member titles...

Zeke · #9 10-09-2006, 05:55 AM

I'll think about it, but really, this forum is tiny. It's the big forums that need to appoint moderators.

Gatac · #10 10-09-2006, 09:40 AM

We're big enough to get spammed, anyway...

Gatac

PointyHairedJedi · #11 10-10-2006, 08:51 PM

On a deeply random tangent I have stumbled across what may just be the awesomest thing ever - if Zeke and I were to have offspring, this is what it would look like:

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/18551122/

GreenFire1 · #12 10-10-2006, 11:28 PM

PHJ, you just killed a little of me inside. I hope you're happy.

Nate the Great · #13 10-11-2006, 12:41 AM

Define "big forum." Define "we need X members to get moderators."

I hate the idea, but we may need to have a doubled e-mail confirmation system. Register at the site, mod e-mails to confirm address, person e-mails to confirm their desire to be in the forum, mod e-mails a keycode to enter in the forums itself. Would that help?

Zeke · #14 10-11-2006, 04:11 AM

Under normal circumstances I'd say "Nah, Antony's working on it; it'll be fixed in a jiff," which is also the other reason I don't see a need for moderators (once the spambot thing is over, they'll have nothing to do).

Under normal circumstances, that is. But PHJ has made his point effectively: I hereby appoint him an unofficial moderator in charge of making sure the forum member "PointyHairedJedi" never, ever posts that link again.

whoiam · #15 10-11-2006, 12:54 PM

Are you sure that will be deterrant enough? I mean, one PHJ against PHJ... he might need some backup. Say, a loaded artillery piece pointed straight at his modem...