I think its cos' I managed to get aload of spam of my forum and its all come here!

i like spam and cheese on a nice fresh kiser roll with mustard :0)

Lately OT seems to have more spam than the Monty Python Spam Skit, but Finalday has assured me that the staff is on it... hopefully we'll see some results soon.

I miss it everytime i come here.

Maybe the sign up page (for forum account) requires a similar verification method as the comments page though... unless it's posted by people, at which point I'd imagine only "email address verification" is possible.

I know how to do this with php, but i don't know squat about asp

As of yesterday it now requires this -

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User Name: *
Password: *
Password Again: *
Email Address: *
Home Page:
ICQ Number:
Country:
Signature:
Sort Order: Oldest FirstNewest First
No of messages/page: 51020304050
AntiSpam: (Refresh if missing)
Type code: (Required) [quote

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See, even before I think it someone does it.

The threads are either deleted, locked or edited before i see em though.

You haven't been missing much Chips.

Please also note that at present, accounts are not created immediately. They are placed in a queue and then require manual approval.

This is a short term solution, until I put more automated checks/methods in place.

As always, please post or send me your thoughts on how to best defeat these annoying spammers.

Thanks

One way to get rid of bots like my friend and i do on our website, is to have like this security thing, say wat the letters are in this swirly box in front of you. Would that help?

We've already added the anti-spam (Captcha) images to the comments and registration pages (the registration page will be converted to use the same version that is on the comments page).

These help some, but aren't 100% perfect. I'm planning on adding an e-mail message with a confirmation code to the registration section, as well as the anti-spam image to the forums (required for each reply/new post). Additional items are in the works as well, many of which none of you will see (background scanning/cleaning/prevention).

Hate to have to go through all these steps (and make extra work for the good posters) , but there aren't many other options.

Edited by - akataka on 9/4/2006 7:22:33 PM

do i know you?

All grumpy rants subject to copyright.
The Shroud©/RvB TMC©

Moi? Perhaps, but then I can't read your mind to know for certain

(if your message was intended for me, send me a mail)

Just ignore him aka . As for the new posting system it sounds good, however can we be certain that the posts have been created by bots as opposed to individuals? If so, the graphic authentication will not be an effective deterrent, and I get the feeling that the last three posts were not bots but people playing games. That being said, I could be wrong, but I guess we'll have to try it to see if it works in any case.

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as well as the anti-spam image to the forums (required for each reply/new post)

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In my personal opinion, i think this may be a frustration for regular posters here who will be required to enter this code regularly. Dont get me wrong, i hate the evil spambots just as much as everyone else here, but some of thes emessages are being posted by real people who will go through all of these systems just to post some obscene picture or link.

Just curiosity here, would it be at all possible to include a system that would require a user to only enter the graphic authentication once per visit to the site? I may just be being overly optimistic here, but i believe that a balance should be struck between security and convenience.

Just my humble opinion as a resident.

Off the topic of the new security measures, i commend the aministration and moderation staff on a job well done. Keep up the good work!