So much spam!

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*poke*
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So much spam!

Post by *poke* » Thu Nov 25, 2010 8:29 am

Any idea why there has been so much spam across the board recently?

It was noticiable in Place and Main - I reported about 10 cases in 1-2 days this week! :(
Burnt Hobbits On Toast!!!!!

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Not Old But We Hate Every and All Text Speak

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kiwi33
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Re: So much spam!

Post by kiwi33 » Thu Nov 25, 2010 10:16 am

Hi *poke* :) . Most of the spam is not from real people, rather it comes from "spam-bots" (= software written by unpleasant people to automatically spam forums).

Many of the staff (mods plus admins, including me) regularly check the member-list for spam-bots and most of them get deactivated before they get a chance to post. Eg, one of the admins killed about 30 of them yesterday and I have just finished flagging about 20 of them "attention admins" so they can be deactivated the next time an admin is on-line. We are doing the best that we can...

The most worrisome is graphic porn spam (there hasn't been much of late, but obviously a major concern for members with SA issues). If ever you see any of that, send a PM, flagged *URGENT* to one of the admins and to the mods of the relevant part of the board so it can be removed ASAP.
Alone we are born
And die alone
Yet see the red-gold cirrus
Over snow-mountain shine.


From High Country Weather, James K Baxter

You walk with an intelligence
That informs a clear bright eye
There are unexpected revelations
In the company of ravens.


From In The Company Of Ravens, Maddy Prior

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*poke*
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Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:43 pm

Re: So much spam!

Post by *poke* » Thu Nov 25, 2010 11:09 am

Thanks kiwi! I realise that its mostly bots, and im grateful to the admins!

Just wondering why the numbers have been so high recently?
Burnt Hobbits On Toast!!!!!

Proud Member of NOB WHEATS
Not Old But We Hate Every and All Text Speak

>>>>>>>>> :marm: !!!! <<<<<<<<

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kiwi33
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Re: So much spam!

Post by kiwi33 » Thu Nov 25, 2010 11:15 am

I am not sure.

From looking at the IP addresses, most comes from "dubious" places (Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria...). Apparently anyway - setting up a proxy IP address is not so hard...

The admins IP-block the worst offenders.
Alone we are born
And die alone
Yet see the red-gold cirrus
Over snow-mountain shine.


From High Country Weather, James K Baxter

You walk with an intelligence
That informs a clear bright eye
There are unexpected revelations
In the company of ravens.


From In The Company Of Ravens, Maddy Prior

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