help me prevent SPAM here

[Kelly]

Hi Everyone,

There's been an influx of the SPAM scumbags trying to post messages here on the forum. Whenever I find them, I delete the post and ban the user permanently. But I don't always find their SPAM messages quickly, and that's where you can help.

If you see an inappropriate post, such as SPAM, just click on the little red triangle in the bottom left of the message (it looks like a caution sign). That will report the post to me via e-mail, and I'll be able to address it quickly and remove the user.

The past week I didn't have my computer, as my hard drive crashed and I had to get it repaired under warranty. Fortunately I didn't lose any data, as I knew the signs and have two solid backups of my most important stuff. So I'm just catching up on the past week or so of posts now.

thanks,
kelly

[Kelly]

In a related note, I am seeing a large number of new users signup here that appear to be spammers. I can pick them out just by their usernames, sometimes. But the strange thing is that they register their username and verify their e-mail, but don't post anything. Yes. I think this means the spammers are gearing up for an onslaught of spam... perhaps they are selling these "username/password" combinations to other spammers, for later use.

I am looking for one or two people to volunteer and help me moderate the forum. The main responsibility is to help find and delete inappropriate posts such as spam. The only requirements are that you visit the forum often and you've posted a fair number of messages yourself. I don't see it taking much of your time, and it's easy to do. We are lucky that there haven't been more spammers hitting the forum so far. If you feel like helping out, please drop me a Private Message here or send me an e-mail.

thanks,
kelly

[Pasiphae]

I'll help if you want Kelly....although I have gone through a bit of a lull in posting since joining, I check in everyday and read up on the boards.
Let me know
Pas xx

[Vulpix Sapiens]

Kelly,

I am not so often here but I can take my part of the job.

I suppose my e-mail address appears on your administrator board so you could mail me at this address.

VS

[Simon]

Why not just install the Akismet extension for vBulletin ? -> http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=118421&highlight=spam

I haven't used the vBulletin version but I think you will find it solves 99% of the problem without any real effort on your part. If you want to you can use it to only check posts of new users by using the permissons for usergroups (Filter Posts With Akismet Yes/No). See http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showpost.php?p=1013953&postcount=18

If you get loads of spam then it may be useful to also install this -> http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=120150

[Kelly]

Simon, thanks alot for those links, I had never heard of that plugin before. I'll definitely look into it more, as it looks cool.

To Pasiphae and Vulpix, thanks very much to both of you for offering to help out. The spam hasn't been too bad lately, but if it spikes again I'll take you guys up on the offer. :) It only takes me a minute to set it up, and I only want to do it if I reeeealy need the help. :)

I started watching all new user registrations, and also started blocking certain e-mail address domains that are commonly used by the spammers. Both have helped... hopefully they'll search for easier targets than this forum (fingers crossed).

Thanks alot!

kelly

[Simon]

Simon, thanks alot for those links, I had never heard of that plugin before. I'll definitely look into it more, as it looks cool.



I'd be surprised if you have a spam problem after installing it :dance: