Fresh Spam Accounts
Fresh Spam Accounts
Surely there's a way for the forum to automatically identify new accounts and when their posts contain certain key words (supplement, etc.) anywhere in the post, then the forum quarantines those posts and freezes the account.
Yes, no?
I remember when the first "50,000 eplaya member" posted thanking for that distinction, then made a spam post for toys...
Yes, no?
I remember when the first "50,000 eplaya member" posted thanking for that distinction, then made a spam post for toys...
4.669
.
That's one word I regret googling during breakfast.
.
Video games are giving kids unrealistic expectations on how many swords they can carry.
.
, but don't harm the red dragon that frequents the area from time to time. He and I have an agreement.
.
That's one word I regret googling during breakfast.
.
Video games are giving kids unrealistic expectations on how many swords they can carry.
.
, but don't harm the red dragon that frequents the area from time to time. He and I have an agreement.
- TT120
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Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
This is the only forum I've ever seen those kinds of spam posts on. I'm not even sure what their goal is most of the time. Some are obvious what they want but others are just gibberish.
Life's a bitch, then you go to Burning Man - Unjonharley
We welcome the stranger, but that doesn't mean we have to like them, nor they us, and that's alright. - AntiM
W6BJD
We welcome the stranger, but that doesn't mean we have to like them, nor they us, and that's alright. - AntiM
W6BJD
- AntiM
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Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
It's better than the spambot attacks from years ago.
I'm just a mod, so I don't know if it could be done automatically. I do know we don't have the must authorize new post/users turned on because in the busy season people who want to buy tickets or Post Right This Minute don't want to wait for approval. We may have a mod team, but we do not work 24/7. Having us in different time zones is about as good as it gets.
As for "keywords" have you read eplaya? Seriously?
edit: I am all for a solution and changes, but I haven't a clue how that might be effectively implemented.
I'm just a mod, so I don't know if it could be done automatically. I do know we don't have the must authorize new post/users turned on because in the busy season people who want to buy tickets or Post Right This Minute don't want to wait for approval. We may have a mod team, but we do not work 24/7. Having us in different time zones is about as good as it gets.
As for "keywords" have you read eplaya? Seriously?
edit: I am all for a solution and changes, but I haven't a clue how that might be effectively implemented.
Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
Sure keywords. As mods encounter spam they can add to the keyword list as they feel appropriate, including linking sites that hide the actual link.
No way to have a comprehensive list that blocks all spam, but with the main offending keywords, the worst side effect would to occasionally block new users until a mod was on.
No way to have a comprehensive list that blocks all spam, but with the main offending keywords, the worst side effect would to occasionally block new users until a mod was on.
4.669
.
That's one word I regret googling during breakfast.
.
Video games are giving kids unrealistic expectations on how many swords they can carry.
.
, but don't harm the red dragon that frequents the area from time to time. He and I have an agreement.
.
That's one word I regret googling during breakfast.
.
Video games are giving kids unrealistic expectations on how many swords they can carry.
.
, but don't harm the red dragon that frequents the area from time to time. He and I have an agreement.
- Traveller in Time
- Posts: 1080
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Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
Even in "the busy season" new accounts should not have to use external websites in their first posting.
Dreaming a temporary world improving the default world
Not expressing yourself but embracing all other expressions is The Challenge
...I can make anything I can imagine . . . I just can't make _some_ things happen
Have some Free will
Not expressing yourself but embracing all other expressions is The Challenge
...I can make anything I can imagine . . . I just can't make _some_ things happen
Have some Free will
Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
But possibly.Traveller in Time wrote: ↑Sat Dec 01, 2018 10:13 amEven in "the busy season" new accounts should not have to use external websites in their first posting.
As a start, just restrict the re-linking sites that hide the actual target site.
And threads that put a link in the subject.
4.669
.
That's one word I regret googling during breakfast.
.
Video games are giving kids unrealistic expectations on how many swords they can carry.
.
, but don't harm the red dragon that frequents the area from time to time. He and I have an agreement.
.
That's one word I regret googling during breakfast.
.
Video games are giving kids unrealistic expectations on how many swords they can carry.
.
, but don't harm the red dragon that frequents the area from time to time. He and I have an agreement.
- The Rod
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- Location: USA
Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
the latest for Testo-Drive male enhancement had me laughing out loud
- Traveller in Time
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- Camp Name: Neon Light Alley (should be: Camp Envy)
Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
Is there a way to get the Robots not to collect first day postings ?
Dreaming a temporary world improving the default world
Not expressing yourself but embracing all other expressions is The Challenge
...I can make anything I can imagine . . . I just can't make _some_ things happen
Have some Free will
Not expressing yourself but embracing all other expressions is The Challenge
...I can make anything I can imagine . . . I just can't make _some_ things happen
Have some Free will
- Sham
- Moderator
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- Joined: Thu Oct 23, 2008 2:10 am
- Location: The hidden mythical place.....
Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
My guess is that these accounts are set up by individuals who make just pennies for each post. I wonder if there could be an email confirmation required before the first post is allowed. Spam posts have their email address banned as well, so it would require a new email account to be set up for each spam account.
Also, THANK YOU to those of you who flag spam or questionable posts. As AntiM said, we are in different time zones, so that helps to swat them, but flagging them makes finding them much easier.
Also, THANK YOU to those of you who flag spam or questionable posts. As AntiM said, we are in different time zones, so that helps to swat them, but flagging them makes finding them much easier.
- gaminwench
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- AntiM
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Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
Now and then the spam becomes pure word salad poetry. If I am in the mood, I copy and it ends up on FB. I had a good one the other day, but deleted before saving the You think I was Born yesterday? There is no Easter Bunny! one. It went on about dreams. A gem.A-RockLeFrench wrote: ↑Sun Dec 02, 2018 9:51 pmthe latest for Testo-Drive male enhancement had me laughing out loud
- Sham
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- Location: The hidden mythical place.....
Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
I can take these cheesy diet supplement posts that are showing up, but several years back there was pure underage porn showing up. That was really worrisome.
- some seeing eye
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Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
I have heard that there are phpBB plug-ins to target spam. Beyond that, there would be machine learning tools. Especially easy, because the spammers are simplistic. It would relieve mod time.
increasing the signal to noise ratio with compassion
- BBadger
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Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
Even maybe just a simple question at the end of the sign-up screen that they have to answer, like "name one of the principles," would probably eliminate a huge percentage of them (unless this is already being done; it's been a long time since I signed up). Might even eliminate some potential "low effort" members too.
"The essence of tyranny is not iron law. It is capricious law." -- Christopher Hitchens
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Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
BBadger, If you screen the applicants there would be nothing here. Some days, the spam is the only contributor.
Those aren't buttermilk biscuits I'm lying on Savannah
Pictures or it didn't happen Greycoyote
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Arthur Schopenhauer
Pictures or it didn't happen Greycoyote
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Arthur Schopenhauer
- Traveller in Time
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Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
Some WestCoast late night hours the spam is the only contribution.
At least two or three messages each day .
Dreaming a temporary world improving the default world
Not expressing yourself but embracing all other expressions is The Challenge
...I can make anything I can imagine . . . I just can't make _some_ things happen
Have some Free will
Not expressing yourself but embracing all other expressions is The Challenge
...I can make anything I can imagine . . . I just can't make _some_ things happen
Have some Free will
Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
Yes, from 10 pm till 12:30 am you and I will zap them.
Those aren't buttermilk biscuits I'm lying on Savannah
Pictures or it didn't happen Greycoyote
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Arthur Schopenhauer
Pictures or it didn't happen Greycoyote
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Arthur Schopenhauer
- BBadger
- Posts: 5958
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Re: Fresh Spam Accounts

"The essence of tyranny is not iron law. It is capricious law." -- Christopher Hitchens
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- MrHedgehog
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Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
some seeing eye wrote: ↑Mon Dec 03, 2018 2:02 pmI have heard that there are phpBB plug-ins to target spam. Beyond that, there would be machine learning tools. Especially easy, because the spammers are simplistic. It would relieve mod time.
Having just played another game of whack-a-mole a.k.a reporting yet more spam posts, I've got to say that this is the only online community that I am part of that seems to suffer from this level of regular and unchecked spam posts.BBadger wrote: ↑Mon Dec 03, 2018 3:35 pmEven maybe just a simple question at the end of the sign-up screen that they have to answer, like "name one of the principles," would probably eliminate a huge percentage of them (unless this is already being done; it's been a long time since I signed up). Might even eliminate some potential "low effort" members too.
There are definitely solutions that are available to reduce the problem, if the Admins and Moderators wish to use any of them.
Here are some threads that a quick search came up with ...
Preventing Spam in phpBB3
Control Spam post and accounts
Is there a good spam ext that is good
Anti-Spam by CleanTalk (Spam protection without CAPTCHA)
From my perspective, I worry that the constant onslaught of spam posts makes this forum appear dangerous to potential new members.
- gaminwench
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Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
*raises hand*
I'll take the late night, post-Ratty shift from the West Coast; I'm a night owl.
I could also arrange a day shift.
Happy to whack spam, and also to 'screen' (calm down, y'all) new posters (tix, whatever) and, perhaps, throw in a wee bit of acclimation.
I'll take the late night, post-Ratty shift from the West Coast; I'm a night owl.
I could also arrange a day shift.
Happy to whack spam, and also to 'screen' (calm down, y'all) new posters (tix, whatever) and, perhaps, throw in a wee bit of acclimation.
"the prophecies of doom were better last year" trilo
Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
There's an idea.
Many of the weekly/daily regulars could sign up to be "Mini-mods": only the power to quarantine (spam) posts.
Mini-mods would be instructed to quarantine only spam or offensive disallowed/porn type threads/posts.
Quarantine power means many can be Mini-mods, with true Mods reviewing the flagged and Quarantined posts for deletion, where Mods can restore/release an incorrectly quarantined thread/post. This handles errors and a Mini-mod that goes rogue.
This gets the spam out of sight quicker. May discourage it?
Yes?
No?
Many of the weekly/daily regulars could sign up to be "Mini-mods": only the power to quarantine (spam) posts.
Mini-mods would be instructed to quarantine only spam or offensive disallowed/porn type threads/posts.
Quarantine power means many can be Mini-mods, with true Mods reviewing the flagged and Quarantined posts for deletion, where Mods can restore/release an incorrectly quarantined thread/post. This handles errors and a Mini-mod that goes rogue.
This gets the spam out of sight quicker. May discourage it?
Yes?
No?
4.669
.
That's one word I regret googling during breakfast.
.
Video games are giving kids unrealistic expectations on how many swords they can carry.
.
, but don't harm the red dragon that frequents the area from time to time. He and I have an agreement.
.
That's one word I regret googling during breakfast.
.
Video games are giving kids unrealistic expectations on how many swords they can carry.
.
, but don't harm the red dragon that frequents the area from time to time. He and I have an agreement.
- TT120
- Posts: 1777
- Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 8:43 pm
- Burning Since: 2012
- Camp Name: Orphans TOO!
- Location: Sacramento, CA.
- Contact:
Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
On my forum, I require a new user have 3 posts before allowing them to have a hyperlink in their post. It has eliminated spam and has not discouraged any new users from joining.
Life's a bitch, then you go to Burning Man - Unjonharley
We welcome the stranger, but that doesn't mean we have to like them, nor they us, and that's alright. - AntiM
W6BJD
We welcome the stranger, but that doesn't mean we have to like them, nor they us, and that's alright. - AntiM
W6BJD
Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
> three posts
A minimum number of posts, and those first posts not within 48 hours?
And, No Links As Thread Subject...
Simple start: no "http" in subject.
Then mods can add "text" to a subject filter?
.
Our first 50,000 eplaya member posted an ad, got deleted.
So did the second 50,000 eplaya member. Third 50,000 eplaya member was good.
A minimum number of posts, and those first posts not within 48 hours?
And, No Links As Thread Subject...
Simple start: no "http" in subject.
Then mods can add "text" to a subject filter?
.
Our first 50,000 eplaya member posted an ad, got deleted.
So did the second 50,000 eplaya member. Third 50,000 eplaya member was good.
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4.669
.
That's one word I regret googling during breakfast.
.
Video games are giving kids unrealistic expectations on how many swords they can carry.
.
, but don't harm the red dragon that frequents the area from time to time. He and I have an agreement.
.
That's one word I regret googling during breakfast.
.
Video games are giving kids unrealistic expectations on how many swords they can carry.
.
, but don't harm the red dragon that frequents the area from time to time. He and I have an agreement.
- JohnEBGud
- Posts: 93
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- Camp Name: Play-a Piano, Skid Row
- Location: Arizona
- Contact:
Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
The only foolproof way of eliminating spam from the open internet is through filtering by a moderator. There are, as noted, many automated solutions, such as services like askismet that examine post content, services that maintain blacklists of spammer email addresses to prevent them from registering, tricks such as timing how long the registration process takes and rejecting those where the form is completed faster than any human can, and of course, email verification, puzzles, and captchas.
These can have a very real impact on bots, but increasingly, cheap labor is employed to foil these methods. There's simply no way to distinguish a human spammer from a human non-spammer until the spam is posted. Things like prohibiting links until a certain number of posts have been made are easily circumvented.
On a forum I operate, in addition to the methods mentioned above, new registrants are moderated for an indefinite period of time and spam making its way to the open forum is a rare occurrence.
These can have a very real impact on bots, but increasingly, cheap labor is employed to foil these methods. There's simply no way to distinguish a human spammer from a human non-spammer until the spam is posted. Things like prohibiting links until a certain number of posts have been made are easily circumvented.
On a forum I operate, in addition to the methods mentioned above, new registrants are moderated for an indefinite period of time and spam making its way to the open forum is a rare occurrence.
To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour. --Wm. Blake
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour. --Wm. Blake
-
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- Camp Name: Barbie Death Camp/We got this!
- Location: Fort Worth, TX
Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
In the open forums I moderate, I have had one spam post in the last ten years. There are over 5 million posts in those forums.
It can be done.
It can be done.
As the camp evolves.....
We got this! 2016/2019
We had it! 2020 Well.....we thought we did
We almost lost it! 2021 Certainly did in 2020!
We have no idea where it is! 2022
Who the hell are we and why are we here? 2023
We got this! 2016/2019
We had it! 2020 Well.....we thought we did
We almost lost it! 2021 Certainly did in 2020!
We have no idea where it is! 2022
Who the hell are we and why are we here? 2023
- Popeye
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Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
I'd worry that, at that level of filtering, a large percentage of good posts would be excluded. AI isn't that accurate.
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do / with your one wild and precious life?” Mary Oliver
-
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- Camp Name: Barbie Death Camp/We got this!
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Re: Fresh Spam Accounts
I do not employ any type of AI, per se. Spammers have patterns, especially the bots.
Start at the front end.
I have two forms of human verification. One is the pattern image. Requires a check mark identifying what is in the image. It can be circumvented by a very good bot, but catches a lot of the bulk bots.
Second level is answering two questions. The answers are in a paragraph. Bots have yet to get passed this one.
Last requires admin approval of the account. Check the email address. Most spammers will tell you they are spammers in the email address ([email protected]), or look for emails from one country being posted from another. Simple examples.
If they pass muster, then they are approved, but require email verification where they have to click the a link in the email. This will catch the rest.
Out of the thousands of attempts to register, I usually only have to manually deal with 10 or 20 a day. I have never gotten an email from any human that could not get registered.
As the camp evolves.....
We got this! 2016/2019
We had it! 2020 Well.....we thought we did
We almost lost it! 2021 Certainly did in 2020!
We have no idea where it is! 2022
Who the hell are we and why are we here? 2023
We got this! 2016/2019
We had it! 2020 Well.....we thought we did
We almost lost it! 2021 Certainly did in 2020!
We have no idea where it is! 2022
Who the hell are we and why are we here? 2023