Spam Attack

**2e0sql** · Sat 2nd Aug 2008, 09:53

Hi All,

As you've probably seen we're being hammered by a spam attack at the moment.. if you come across a post do report it and we'll get it removed as soon as possible.

**M0TTB** · Sat 2nd Aug 2008, 10:15

Most of it from PRC, automated and semi automated stuff... scourge of all forums of late. Some of it is really subtle.
Update the 'captcha''? Simple english language question to register? Ultimately, last resort ban gmail/hotmail and any PRC based addies... gmail seems the main choice from them.

**2e0sql** · Sat 2nd Aug 2008, 10:18

Originally Posted by Hawkwind

Most of it from PRC, automated and semi automated stuff... scourge of all forums of late. Some of it is really subtle.
Update the 'captcha''? Simple english language question to register?

Sounds like a good idea, or a simple math question! first time in ages HRF has had this but was only a matter of time i guess!

**M0TTB** · Sat 2nd Aug 2008, 10:29

Originally Posted by m3php

Sounds like a good idea, or a simple math question!

Some of the more cynical older ops may say that would preclude entry for many new ops

**2e0sql** · Sat 2nd Aug 2008, 10:30

fair point Andy! :mrgreen: We'll come up with something

**G0UPG** · Sat 2nd Aug 2008, 11:15

I have quite a long list of email domains commonly used by spammers which are all banned from my angling forums, I could send Admin a copy if you wish?

Let me know,
73 de Jim

**2e0sql** · Sat 2nd Aug 2008, 11:36

That would be brilliant Jim

**M0TTB** · Sat 2nd Aug 2008, 11:56

One of the benefits of an active worldwide community is having moderators in most timezones and always plenty of members on to report spam. If we get a spam post up in public for more than 30mins, I'm not happy... once google have cached it, the spammer has won. With vb the latest spam scripts are easy to spot as soon as they register, it puts the figure 1 in any profile field.

It's far harder to control spam in a small and/or regional forum, but hopefully hamradioforum.net will grow and it will be less of a problem.
The best fun is when you catch a manual human spammer in the act... so you can let fly with an appropriately worded ban notice and be assured they'll read it

cheers,
Andy

**5B4AJB** · Sat 2nd Aug 2008, 12:22

Do a Google for a "hosts" file.

I don't think you are running Windows on the server, but it saved my machine from endless pr0n/adverts/spam/spy/mal/younameitwarez.

I think the simple math is a good idea if you can implement it, anyone can use a calculator :lol: .

**2e0sql** · Sun 3rd Aug 2008, 13:23

I'll try sort something out before midweek don't really up to it today just back from A&E who removed another stitch from my left eye so feeling rather grim at the moment :?

**M0TZO** · Sun 24th Aug 2008, 02:17

Made some changes to registration to hopefully prevent spammers from coming in.

This now includes a box for them to write Why they wish to join & we admins will manually activate accounts. OK, means more work from us, but should be a much more enjoyable forum for all.

Please continue to report dodgy posts.

**M0TTB** · Sun 24th Aug 2008, 09:36

Originally Posted by M0TZO

admins will manually activate accounts.

That's a real shame, the very last resort for a forum. Hopefully it will not be a permanent measure.

Coming from a more commercial perspective, with the fickle and impatient nature of web users, we just coudn't do it but for a small highly specialised community it's more viable I'd guess.

cheers,

**2e0sql** · Sun 24th Aug 2008, 11:14

Originally Posted by Hawkwind

That's a real shame, the very last resort for a forum. Hopefully it will not be a permanent measure.

Hi Andy, Correct this isn't a permanent measure and we're open to options to sort it out! We've been banning spammers and last week was full of them. I guess the next resort could be to resort to a different forum software like vbulletin.

Nice to see HRF growing though and hopefully we'll get through this rough patch.

**G0UPG** · Sun 24th Aug 2008, 11:30

I've been using VBulletin for some years for the same reasons, can't remember the last time we were spammed.

**M0TTB** · Sun 24th Aug 2008, 11:40

Originally Posted by m3php

I guess the next resort could be to resort to a different forum software like vbulletin.

That would be a shame... it's nice to come here and get away from the ubiquitous vBulletin layout

I'll be meeting our main tech in a few days and we'll be discussing the simple registration q&a (i.e. what domestic pet do dogs chase?)... the more complex captcha's have their own problems which will lead to a drop in registrations. I have noted on our sites that the Chinese spam problem seems to be dropping off over the last couple of weeks.

cheers,
Andy

**2e0sql** · Sun 24th Aug 2008, 11:58

Originally Posted by Hawkwind

Originally Posted by m3php

I guess the next resort could be to resort to a different forum software like vbulletin.

That would be a shame... it's nice to come here and get away from the ubiquitous vBulletin layout

I'll be meeting our main tech in a few days and we'll be discussing the simple registration q&a (i.e. what domestic pet do dogs chase?)... the more complex captcha's have their own problems which will lead to a drop in registrations. I have noted on our sites that the Chinese spam problem seems to be dropping off over the last couple of weeks.

cheers,
Andy

Well obviously we'd try not to use the default theme!! as i agree its too common place around the internet these days! but over this week i'll start to look for a better option to cull the spam if possible.