Spammers

[vchris]

There seem to be an increasing amount of spam threads being created these days on our forum. I came in earlier today thinking there was a new post in the general section. I open the thread and the spammer actually took the time to include a picture that was highly inappropriate for any user on here especially for younger ones. I suggest we have some kind of validating method for new members, maybe something like moderator activation (only moderators could activate a new users account). Since most of them user a recognizable spammer user name, the moderators will easily be able to deny their account. Of course in time some may be intelligent enough to use a normal user name.Anyway this is simply to let you guys know that I think something must be done about this. It will only get worse unless something is done.

[Jonas]

We can't moderate and approve every new member, that won't work, even if more members are modded to help, it's just too time demanding. But I agree we should try to stop the spam somehow. IP block is one way, if we find IP's that are used for more than one account and spamming. It's being discussed. Still, that would also take quite some time.

[vchris]

Maybe some kind of user name filtering could help. Stop members with "xxx" in their name and so on.

[Jonas]

There's rarely a pattern like that in spammers name. If you think that, you've only seen and reported quite a few. I brought forwards an example from the general forum to show you what I mean:http://w3schools.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=4642

[Tarte]

Or maybe you could get some more mods so that there would always be a mod online?Just a suggestion

[vchris]

Yeah I agree with Tarte. Every time I come online in the morning 8 eastern time, there's never a mod online. I usually see some spam also.

[Chocolate570]

Yeah I agree with Tarte. Every time I come online in the morning 8 eastern time, there's never a mod online. I usually see some spam also.

I'm on every day at 6:45-7:25 in the morning, eastern time. I'll start looking for spam in that time frame

[vchris]

Thanks. I think all Mods should look for spam when their online.

[smiles]

why dont you delete these kind of posts I just see that you give them an X sign beside I afraid that too many of this sign will lead to a negative way

[reportingsjr]

More moderators could help. But you need them to be spread out in time zones. Most of the times when I am on is when the spam shows up, I report it immeadiatly. But if more members are promoted to mods and they live within one or two time zones it wont be much help. Sooo..

[Err]

Yup, something just has to be done about it. I'm getting tried of seeing them over and over again. I know the current mods are not here everyday/hour but more mods could help relieve the problem.

[Jonas]

why dont you delete these kind of posts I just see that you give them an X sign beside I afraid that too many of this sign will lead to a negative way

Actually posts with the X on are just locked. We usually do this with threads that are redundant or just questionable and not necessarily spam. There's a lot of spam topics that you can't see.And regarding more mods, we'll see if that's a possibility.

[Akula_dude]

Most people will be able to recognize spam when they see it, so just go to the bottom of the thread and click . the mods should be able to delete it prettty soon after. and a few more mods cant hurt either.

[boen_robot]

Actually, having more mods may hurt at some point I think. There's a saying "Lots of chieftain, little redskin" (the plurals are intentionally made to singulars). The saying implies there should be a balance of power and that this power must be given only to the worthy.I think our current mods are worthy enough and are doing a fine job as it is. True, spam does show up now and then, but does it always get deleted, even without people reporting it? Sure it does.And why are you so child protective like anyway? As if you haven't seen such nudity stuff. As if I as a minor haven't seen nude stuff either. As if we're not going to see it sooner or later anyway . I'm not saying that's a good thing to see, especially in a web development forum. What I'm saying is that it's not that critical if mods aren't there asap to delete it. I mean, they will eventually, right guys?

[Jonas]

Actually, having more mods may hurt at some point I think. There's a saying "Lots of chieftain, little redskin" (the plurals are intentionally made to singulars). The saying implies there should be a balance of power and that this power must be given only to the worthy.I think our current mods are worthy enough and are doing a fine job as it is. True, spam does show up now and then, but does it always get deleted, even without people reporting it? Sure it does.

Yes it does, but with an increasing amount of members come an increasing amount of spam, and with it there should perhaps be an increasing amount of mods..? If more mods are to be selected, it's most likely only one or perhaps two.

And why are you so child protective like anyway?

Possibly because he's aware that there are posters as young as eleven -11- here.

As if you haven't seen such nudity stuff. As if I as a minor haven't seen nude stuff either. As if we're not going to see it sooner or later anyway . I'm not saying that's a good thing to see, especially in a web development forum. What I'm saying is that it's not that critical if mods aren't there asap to delete it. I mean, they will eventually, right guys?

Yeah, we will, but it wouldn't hurt if we got to it faster. And thinking of IP blocking and other possibilities for hindering spammers, more mods are definetely needed, as running IP-searches can be quite time-demanding. Just saying that we're all going to see nudity sooner or later anyway is not a really good argument. By that logic we could just leave all the spam be. Also, you should really separate the term "nudity" from "pornography" which the spam typically is. People who are naturists/nudists/whatever term you use would probably still, and should, shield their children from viewing pornography.

[boen_robot]

Possibly because he's aware that there are posters as young as eleven -11- here.

Offtopic(kind of)://That's about the age I saw a porn movie for the first time and it wasn't on the internet, but on TV .Well, if you as a mod say you do need more help, then I guess you should get some no matter opinions like mine .

[Jonas]

Hey, what you do on your own time, that's your business. That doesn't mean that it should be allowed on a public forum, and I'm absolutely 100% sure that w3schools.com don't want to condone or allow something of that nature (pornography).

Well, if you as a mod say you do need more help, then I guess you should get some no matter opinions like mine .

I'm saying if the members feel it is needed to hinder spam even more, we should oblige. If things are cool the way they are, and we delete the spam fast enough for most people, I think we're fine with the number of mods we have. So it really depends on what you (plural) want the mods to do.

[boen_robot]

That doesn't mean that it should be allowed on a public forum, and I'm absolutely 100% sure that w3schools.com don't want to condone or allow something of that nature (pornography).

I'm not saying that's a good thing to see, especially in a web development forum. What I'm saying is that it's not that critical if mods aren't there asap to delete it.

I'm saying if the members feel it is needed to hinder spam even more, we should oblige. If things are cool the way they are, and we delete the spam fast enough for most people, I think we're fine with the number of mods we have.

My point exactly. You do clean up spam fast enough. Not asap, but still fast enough. No single person can be expected to be online 24/7 and members ocasionally noticing spam before the mods is just a trivial situation, that can't be otherwise even with 99 mods, especially on a worldwide forum.

[reportingsjr]

Well of course there wont be 99 mods! But there is a need for a few more. I mean, 3 or 4 more mods would be nice for the forum. It would put a lot less work on the current mods (how many are there? 3, or 4?). So no one is saying get 10 or 15 mods right now, just double the amount right now.

[Jonas]

Well of course there wont be 99 mods! But there is a need for a few more. I mean, 3 or 4 more mods would be nice for the forum. It would put a lot less work on the current mods (how many are there? 3, or 4?). So no one is saying get 10 or 15 mods right now, just double the amount right now.

I think you're taking it a bit too literal. Of course he doesn't mean there's going to be 99 mods. I think even 3 or 4 is more than we need. The main priority isn't quantity, but location, getting people from different timezones that also have a certain level of maturity. There are currently four mods, btw.

[Akula_dude]

mmkay how about we all get together and write a program to define spam from normal messages that cant be fooled and is totally perfect in every way shape and form

[Jonas]

Actually, many of the urls that the spammers link to include words that are filtered, and as such a smart add-on would be a filter that searched strings for http and one of the words that are filtered through the admin panel. Of course, to write something like that, one would need a very deep knowledge of Invision Power Board.

[reportingsjr]

I dont think too deep. Maybe deep enough to require a 14 foot ladder. But anyways, we need Kaijim he cause he IS the one who has the final word..

[Jonas]

Indeed he is, but it is largely up to us mods as well. We best know what goes on at the forum, as we "run" it on a regular basis, so our opinion goes a long way.

[Skemcin]

more effort should be put into preventing the spam than cleaning it up. Adding more mods for this sole purpose is not the solution, in my opinion. (you guys sound like the president of the united states)