Spammers on the GJ.

HOTFR8 · Aug 3, 2012

How can we help and stop spammers ? I am just watching a poater keep posting the same rubbish over and over as I type this now he has 16 posts all spam and all with some odd links.

I see these posters daily and Mods or Admin pounce quickly and get them at about 4 posts but this one is still posting.

Please Mods and Admin how can we help you stop these posters spamming the forum ???

metaleltr · Aug 3, 2012

I'm glad i'm not the only one bothered by this, I reported like 6 identical posts yesterday!

HOTFR8 · Aug 3, 2012

metaleltr said:
I'm glad i'm not the only one bothered by this, I reported like 6 identical posts yesterday!

I see more of them every day and get frustrated by these posts. Due to the time frame I see many of the Admin and Mods may have missed them.

I have counted 18 from one spammer alone today all with the same weird links.

Justanoldguy · Aug 3, 2012

I never have a problem with them.
I just ignore the fact they are there.
Nothing to do with me.

HOTFR8 · Aug 3, 2012

Justanoldguy said:
I never have a problem with them.
I just ignore the fact they are there.
Nothing to do with me.

That may be true Clive but they are messing up on a forum we all enjoy and I would like to enjoy it (more) with out spammers. :beer:

Edited Note: Just reported another spammer with multiple posts trying / posting the same thing.

Drew_flux · Aug 3, 2012

HOTFR8 said:
That may be true Clive but they are messing up on a forum we all enjoy and I would like to enjoy it (more) with out spammers.

Edited Note: Just reported another spammer with multiple posts trying / posting the same thing.

Just keep reporting them to the mod in charge of the section. The problem is all the mods are asleep when we are surfing.

luvit · Aug 3, 2012

.
yeah, just hit the report button -- no need to post "reported"

don't be frustrated or bothered by it..
there's a lot of other things in life that contributes to high blood pressure. :beer:

.

HOTFR8 · Aug 3, 2012

Drew_flux said:
Just keep reporting them to the mod in charge of the section. The problem is all the mods are asleep when we are surfing.

That is exactly what I have been thinking.

luvit said:
.
yeah, just hit the report button -- no need to post "reported"

don't be frustrated or bothered by it..
there's a lot of other things in life that contributes to high blood pressure.
.

Yes, Hit Report. Do not quote them or respond to them or even post you have reported it. Ryan has advised we hit the report button for any posts that are spam and we need do nothing more than that.

Not frustrated or bothered but I do see them as a waste of time and forum space.

1969 said:
Is it not possible to have a mod/or mods in different time zones that are awake and willing to handle this?

Again - That is exactly what I have been thinking.

Justanoldguy · Aug 3, 2012

HOTFR8 said:
I do see them as a waste of time and forum space.

To be honest though Simon, it seems if your time is being wasted then that is up to you.
If it's wasting mods time, then that is just part of their job.

HOTFR8 · Aug 3, 2012

Justanoldguy said:
To be honest though Simon, it seems if your time is being wasted then that is up to you.
If it's wasting mods time, then that is just part of their job.

I do not look at it that way Clive. I see it that they are disturbing what we enjoy and posting links that could be unsafe. How many times do you read a topic with an interesting and relevant link and go off and read up from that link ? Sometimes these spammers use half a post that another member that has posted then ad a bad link or suspect link. These links appear multiple times on many topics and that is what gives away the spammers.

The only reason I said a waste of time is for example you subscribe to a topic and you go back thinking it has been updated to find something like.

I can google that httplogwhat.hhtp-pix. redx redx redx redx

as a reply post.

Jack Olsen · Aug 13, 2012

Justanoldguy said:
To be honest though Simon, it seems if your time is being wasted then that is up to you.
If it's wasting mods time, then that is just part of their job.

'Job' might be overstating it. We volunteer our time here.

But to answer the question, please report one of the spammers posts. The way I handle it is to bring up all their posts -- there's usually one of those little image links in each one -- and I delete all their posts and ban them. I honestly don't know what the actual purpose is for the little 1-pixel images in the posts, or whatever they are. But the fact that people keep infiltrating the site to put them there is enough for me to wipe 'em out.

And thanks for taking the time to report them.

uniballer · Aug 13, 2012

I saw a guy who doesnt talk in discussions to other people but just lists in classifieds. is this what some come to do? is it accepted? I thought this place was for questions answers and mostly tool and work talk? I am not clicking any links attached to any ads!

DanCo · Aug 13, 2012

Kenn43ethf said:
don't be frustrated or bothered by it..

Speaking of spammers, this user is a double poster shitbag. Scroll up to post #7.

Dan

HOTFR8 · Aug 13, 2012

DanCo said:
Speaking of spammers, this user is a double poster shitbag. Scroll up to post #7.

Dan

Oh Dan you have just broken the rule they tell us not to do here. You quoted a spammer :scared:

. We are told never to quote a spammer and just report them.

Jack for your information - That dreaded red X usualy has a dangerous link.

Dan - You may like to edit it out that red x before your post is reported for it as well.

I hit report for the other spam post in this topic.

gatewaysysop · Aug 13, 2012

I can still see the spammer from DanCo's post, including links, in the thread right now at 12:17am. What gives? If it was deleted, it sure doesn't show as such. Reported it again just in case. What irony that they end up in this thread of all places though.

HOTFR8 · Aug 13, 2012

gatewaysysop said:
I can still see the spammer from DanCo's post, including links, in the thread right now at 12:17am. What gives? If it was deleted, it sure doesn't show as such. Reported it again just in case. What irony that they end up in this thread of all places though.

and then to add insult a mod missed the spam post above his own post.

O_M_Jeep · Aug 13, 2012

you'll never stop the spammers completely, there are so many safe-gaurds now, on our Jeep clubs forum we have the captcha all the way up and require e-mail verification as well as address and phone number during registration, even the e-mail verification can be automated by spammers now, its like hacking, as fast as they make a way to stop them 20 of them write a work around, all you can do is stay viligant and attentive and report them.

The sad thing is this, someone is clicking the links, they are still getting traffic from the members here clicking the links or they wouldnt bother, they are doing this to create traffic and make money, if it didnt work they wouldnt work so hard at it, kinda like those stupid bots in old yahoo chat, someone clicks them all the time or they wouldnt be there, sadly, this kind of traffic gathering works.

HOTFR8 · Aug 13, 2012

The problem is with the links is what they send back to the spammers.

AETD · Aug 13, 2012

Admin needs to contact vbulletin service desk.
With some simple changes these bots can be hold back.

gatewaysysop · Aug 13, 2012

AETD said:
Admin needs to contact vbulletin service desk.
With some simple changes these bots can be hold back.

HOTFR8 · Aug 15, 2012

Sus55anfd said:
double poster shitbag

Another soon to bite the dust.

Note I deleted the weird link.

Bull · Aug 15, 2012

Jack Olsen said:
'Job' might be overstating it. We volunteer our time here.

But to answer the question, please report one of the spammers posts. The way I handle it is to bring up all their posts -- there's usually one of those little image links in each one -- and I delete all their posts and ban them. I honestly don't know what the actual purpose is for the little 1-pixel images in the posts, or whatever they are. But the fact that people keep infiltrating the site to put them there is enough for me to wipe 'em out.

And thanks for taking the time to report them.

Jack, do you delete each of their posts manually? If you select any one post by a spammer, you can then select "delete post as spam" from the pull-down menu at the bottom of your screen. This then lets you choose their punishment "permanent ban" and it lets you delete all other posts by them with just one click.

Pardon me if you already know this!

AETD · Aug 15, 2012

gatewaysysop said:

It was serious remark.

My brother have his own vbulletin forum.

His solution for spambots (as 99% of these post are generated by computers (bots) not human. Is the captcha (but some bots have cracked it) this will stop about 80% of them. (email chack is old news for bots)

then add some (not just one) Q&A's on registration (verry simple, like "Are you a robot or a human?" and "Do you use an impact wrench or an onion to tighten your wheels" or "Type here the blue text from our logo")
most bots are not able to logic these questions. This will eliminate 99% of the spammers.
Those who get past that are no longer bots, this are low payed human spammers (china, korean, malaysia, etc...)
They actual get 0.01ct for an ammount of hits on the link. hitting the link you could get malware, cookie trackers, troyans, etc...

The last check he have is the required introduce yourself topic. this have to be the first post and is moderated. so only get posted after mod or admin approve it.

introduction needs to be just a little more than; "hello i'm R2D2 and i love computer components" to get moderator apporoval by him.

Then once in a while he still have a spammer, but you can 100% be sure this is a person (no bot) that takes the time to fill in Q&A at registration, Did a good first introducing post and then starts spamming the forum.

These users you "perma ban" as bull describes.

also install VSa - advanced permissions based on post count
this will eliminate registering people that only post in classfieds or only spam people by PM or mail.

like min. 10 posts on the forum before you can post in for sale sub forum.

Every month he delete the accounts that made no posts (these are most likely sleeping spammers, that get in and wait for new bugs in vbulletin software to be discovered)

ReefBlue · Aug 15, 2012

If postcount <1 then you may not post new threads.

if postcount <1, then you may not post links or attachments.

AETD · Aug 15, 2012

ReefBlue said:
If postcount <1 then you may not post new threads.

if postcount <1, then you may not post links or attachments.

All that is possible with:
also install VSa - advanced permissions based on post count

but when a bot makes 2times the same post or makes it in other topic. this is worthless.

if 1st post is checked by moderators, befor it comes online (no it will not increase "workload" for admin or mod) you can filter spammers.

Now much forum have account activation by admin or moderator. you can drop that and check first/introduction post. (ip check and email confirmation is already hacked by bots to register)

The logic sense Q&A on registration can delete the admins check, and he can instead check the first post.
Not everyone who register is posting. so actual the "workload" is lower.
On the other hand, there is no reason to register and not posting here.

HOTFR8 · Aug 15, 2012

Bull said:
Jack, do you delete each of their posts manually? If you select any one post by a spammer, you can then select "delete post as spam" from the pull-down menu at the bottom of your screen. This then lets you choose their punishment "permanent ban" and it lets you delete all other posts by them with just one click.

Pardon me if you already know this!

I would like to know that as well. Also when you ban them and you do ban them permanently I hope ? Do you also note the IP address and block that as well ? Most of the spammers usualy have the same weird links in every post they make so you would guess it is coming from the same place.

Need4racin · Aug 15, 2012

spammers post links for search engine ranking.

HOTFR8 · Aug 15, 2012

Need4racin said:
spammers post links for search engine ranking.

All pretty wierd links they post.

AETD · Aug 15, 2012

spambots always operate behind ip proxy. so you never block the "original" ip.

deleting is not a simple as klicking the button... there might be some concequences

Depending if your forum sponsor deals are based on ammount of members or only the active users. Or active members ratio in combination with guest readers
By deleting unused or permabanned accounts, the active users ratio keeps up. so less total users will higher the active users ratio.

Running forums is not just about deleting or banning. ;-)
For good sponsorship you want to keep your total members high, but more important for the sponsors are the active users.

Here you have 135.653 registered users, but 17.936 active users. so about 13% active users.

By deleting permabans or inactive users systematically you can manipulate a monthly growth in active users.

If you watch the memberslist, you see the post a member made. Only 35355 members with 1 post or more. so 88190 unused accounts.
delete them and your acive ratio grows to +50% in 1 day.

Then there is also the aspect of forum guest visitors.... ;-)

you thought it was about tools & garage pictures and keeping the spammers out? ;-)

Back on spam topic now...
With little changes to registration method you do so much against bots. (before they get in)

thesilverone · Aug 31, 2012

Less spammers please

Journaler · Aug 31, 2012

Jack Olsen said:
I honestly don't know what the actual purpose is for the little 1-pixel images in the posts, or whatever they are. But the fact that people keep infiltrating the site to put them there is enough for me to wipe 'em out.

And thanks for taking the time to report them.

Those little images are so they can get things like the IP address of people reading the forum, and try to:
1. at best see how well their spamming campaign/algorithms are working
2. at worst, they know the IP address is to a valid computer, and will try to infiltrate that reader's computer to do lord knows what.

HOTFR8 · Aug 31, 2012

The golden rules here on the GJ would be the same as on the HAMB forum.

1, Report all spammers. If the spammer has multiple posts just report the one post and state multiple spam posts by this spammer in your report.

2, Never quote a spammer. (OK not easy).

3, Never post you have reported a spammer otherwise you may also end up on a banned list with the spammer.

NC-Fordguy · Sep 1, 2012

If the mods are interested.........

Assuming most of the spammers are originating from china there are a few things that can be done.

Cloud flare is useful

Extended user fields...modify the .htaccess files

depending on the mysql database version being use there are a few tweaks that can be done there as well.

I've used all 3 methods on the sites I've built with e107(open source php) and have cut down chineese spammers by about 98 percent. Before I was simply banning ip addresses daily with spammers just coming back via proxy servers

Journaler · Sep 8, 2012

ReefBlue said:
If postcount <1 then you may not post new threads.

if postcount <1, then you may not post links or attachments.

I like this idea. It helps with people whose first post is in the classifieds, with no contact info, no location etc.

Rural53 · Sep 8, 2012

AETD said:
On the other hand, there is no reason to register and not posting here.

Yes there is. I joined so I could see the pictures that are stored on the site, ie the ones that open when you clickon them. I lurked around reading threads and getting info for my garage design. I was a memeber for about four months before I started posting. I'm sure there are quite a few people who have done that in the non active membership.

Lkdelta · Sep 9, 2012

If I believe that the only way to delete cookies is to eat the whole bag,
how do I prevent "Quoting spammers"?

HOTFR8 · Sep 9, 2012

ReefBlue said:
If postcount <1 then you may not post new threads.

if postcount <1, then you may not post links or attachments.

That will only make spammers post more and create more work for the Admin and the Mods removing all the posts the spammers post.

Journaler said:
I like this idea. It helps with people whose first post is in the classifieds, with no contact info, no location etc.

I can see the good point in that but spammers post in any topic and you can not post a reply to classifieds so that is another topic again.

Lkdelta said:
If I believe that the only way to delete cookies is to eat the whole bag,
how do I prevent "Quoting spammers"?

You can pick a spam post as it usualy just has some short and often copied comment followed by a few Red X's. Usualy not worth quoting.

I like your comment on deleteing Cookies :lol:

Lkdelta · Sep 10, 2012

HOTFR8 said:
I like your comment on deleteing Cookies

I copied it, but it explains my experience perfect...

So, courtesy of bigbubba, here on GJ..
Someone suggested that i delete cookies on my computer and try again,How do i do this? The only cookies i know how to delete are chocolate chip and no bakes

HOTFR8 · Sep 10, 2012

Lkdelta said:
I copied it, but it explains my experience perfect...

So, courtesy of bigbubba, here on GJ..
Someone suggested that i delete cookies on my computer and try again,How do i do this? The only cookies i know how to delete are chocolate chip and no bakes

What ever browser you use to search the web should have a properties folder and if you delete your history of the web sites you have visited then that should also delete cookies at the same time. I do this about once a week and then run the antivirus programs and malware spyware at the same time as you often pickup tracking cookies that watch what web sites you visit and you need destroy these.

Hmmmmmmm Chocolate Chip.

HOTFR8 · Sep 10, 2012

This may help you delete Cookies >

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/278835

http://www.pcworld.com/article/242939/how_to_delete_cookies.html

http://www.wikihow.com/Clear-Your-Browser's-Cookies

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