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What is it with all of the spam lately?

This is where you can discuss your homework, family, just about anything, make strange sounds and otherwise discuss things which are really not related to the Lancer-series. Yes that means you can discuss other games.

Post Tue Sep 05, 2006 2:11 am

Looking at the user namesand style of posts also get the impression that this is not a spambot. Might be wrong, not full of enough gobbledegook in the typical random sense seen with bots imo.

Banning the IP first to see the effect might work. If it is an individual not using multiple IP's you will find out soon enough. Even if they are using 2 or 3 it is soon solved. If hundreds being generated then you have to put in the tighter controls imo.

*not exactly the correct context for that word but as I have not had occassion to use it of late, it stays.

EDIT: Doh!


Edited by - druid on 9/5/2006 3:11:58 AM

Post Tue Sep 05, 2006 3:18 am


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)

Sorry i was kinda rude there, but i guess that's what happens when you post
the day after having to go from N.C. to P.A. and back in the span of three days.


In any case i was just commenting on the fact that i've never really seen you, nor have i ever heard about you.

Post Tue Sep 05, 2006 6:33 am

Always be nice to Admins. That's the rule.

Post Tue Sep 05, 2006 7:51 am

I've been around, behind the scenes, for several years now. I just recently decided to take a more active and visible role with the site.

Thank you everyone for your comments so far regarding spam prevention and overal site security. I know there is no one perfect answer, but with help from the great members of this community and a little work, we'll find a "good enough" solution.

Post Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:53 am

Hey akataka, I feel like saying welcome for some reason...kind of like a...welcome to the fore-ground type of thing.

I just want to offer my most profound and sincere apologise for that 28 pages of pure spam I seem to have initiated. That does not land in the same category as this current issue I trust.

Post Tue Sep 05, 2006 11:08 am

Thanks for the welcome - I've been the silent partner for a while , but realized the site needed a little help.

Nah, the whole wabbit thread is alright - just make sure it stays "clean" (BTW, visited your country this March, and loved it )

Unfortunately the "real" spammers are submitting posts/registration from IPs all over the place. I don't want to ban whole subnets, nor single IPs unless I really have to. Better code is going to be the best solution I think...

Edited by - akataka on 9/5/2006 12:13:10 PM

Post Tue Sep 05, 2006 11:21 am

IP banning can be easy to get around to, just get/make a proxy and BOOM, your in.

Post Tue Sep 05, 2006 11:30 am

Exactly, that's why I don't rely on it (nor do it often) -- it's only a short term solution for really annoying folks.

Edited by - akataka on 9/5/2006 12:30:06 PM

Post Tue Sep 05, 2006 11:36 am

Akataka,

If someone is logged in (cookie/session with their username a la autofill the fields), would it not be possible to add a little extra query to return a post count of said poster? If over a certain number, there is no check on the post with a random image?

That would ensure that any new registrants would have to post somewhat before they no longer have to fill in the field.
I know, extra work - especially if the forum code is being updated with a new system

Post Tue Sep 05, 2006 11:47 am

Chips,

Not a bad idea at all - and should be easy to include.

So far, I've noticed the following changes have significantly reduced spam postings over the last few days:
- *Really* preventing URLs in comment posting (initial version made an attempt, but was coded incorrectly) (Soon posting comments will require a registered account.)
- Introducing a delay between registering and allowing for posting in the forums (most spammers want to get in, post their crap, and out as quickly as possible)
- Captcha requirements for comment posting/registration (reduces automated spamming)

Thanks

Post Tue Sep 05, 2006 11:57 am

captcha?

Post Tue Sep 05, 2006 12:01 pm

The little anti-spam images on the comments and registration pages:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captcha

Post Tue Sep 05, 2006 1:00 pm

Some people tho dont like posting there picture on the internet, What if we added a tottaly random question? like wats 1+1? Would bots be able to get thru that?

Post Tue Sep 05, 2006 2:31 pm

I'm surprised you guys didn't think of this sooner. Oh, well. Better late than never I
guess.

Post Tue Sep 05, 2006 2:43 pm

unforunately I can barely see the anti-spam images. I have to get the kids to tell me what they say

a word to the wise, akataka; don't believe anything Tors Denneti says, at all, ever! And I trust during your visit to his land that no men in cowboy hats tried to sell you rusty Lada Rivas at knock-down prices? mind you, you're about sixty years younger than his usual prey....

Edited by - akataka on 9/5/2006 4:01:34 PM

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