what is with that spam ?

[cegorach]

In last 2 days I have deleted 3 spam threads in PMTW2 sub-forum.

Anyone has similar troubles ?

I have seen something similar in the Lords forum, now the ORG is invaded as well.

[Vladimir]

I've reported 3 in the last couple weeks or so. It seems like people registering new accounts just to plug their product.

[naut]

I've reported 3 in the last couple weeks or so. It seems like people registering new accounts just to plug their product.

Especially that they can now post outside the EH

[caravel]

Not to worry, the mods will assassinate them soon enough.

Most forums have problems with these types of commercial spammers and it's getting more common. It's a while since I joined here so I can't remember the registration process, but there are "hacks" for messageboard software such as this that can help to deter spammers and bots on registration. They can often deter genuine members as well though...

[cegorach]

lovely... 6 spam threads in 24 hours...

Perhaps some members cause this flood of spam ? Any ideas ?

[Sasaki Kojiro]

They do love your forum cegorach, I don't know why.

[cegorach]

The only reason I can think of is the number of links to this forum I placed elsewhere, but I did the same with the old MTW1 forum and there is nothing there...

Perhaps some members do affect it somehow...

[Stig]

I reported 2 bots in Cego's forum some time ago, seems that they only target him ... mmm maybe Adrian II did send them

[CrossLOPER]

I had nothing to do with any of this.

[CountArach]

Wow, they are all over your forum... just reported another one...

[Mount Suribachi]

The other forums I frequent have had an upsurge in spam the last 2 weeks. I wonder if there is some new spambot or something out there.

[MSB]

The other forums I frequent have had an upsurge in spam the last 2 weeks. I wonder if there is some new spambot or something out there.

I think there must be if other forums have been invaded too.

[GiantMonkeyMan]

for a while we had a load in the RTW Mod Discussion sub-forum but that's died down and gone to M2TW forums instead... i suppose it should be considered lucky for me but unlucky for you... and i did notice a lot of spam threads in the pike and musket forums

[TosaInu]

What I understood from board 'support' forums: a real person signs up and then hands his account over to a bot.

It's an arms race. Spammers want to annoy or advertise, admins want a clean board.

[MSB]

Perhaps we need cegorach's forum to close for a week. It might kill/stop the bots, but it may also kill/stop interest in the mod too.

And you got another one!

[cegorach]

I have other forums, though not so important. I can't close that for now...

Maybe another assistant moderator would volunteer - I can't be here 24 hours per day, especially when I am working and have other activities too...

BTW can old accounts be hijacked ? There are numerous from over a year ago which were not possible to activate - I was Hetman over 1.5 year ago maybe something did manage to steal that ?

I haven't signed up as Hetman since the 'great fall' so maybe a spamming software manage to steal old, not used now identities ?

You can remove Hetman from the list for example, maybe it will clear the mess a little.

Maybe we should announce to delete the accounts which aren't used for a very long time ?

[Stig]

No bots always go to a certain fora. They always post in the same, I have them on 1 forum, and they always post in the General Discussion forum, like they do here in the PMTW2 forum, best thing to do is update forum software, and since bots tend to fill their entire profile at registering it might be good to install a mod which dis-allows you to fill a website at registering. A bot will still do that, and therefore can't register.

[cegorach]

I agre - in last 24 hours I deleted 6 spam threads...

[caravel]

The anti robotic registration (the image containing text that you have to enter in a box) that is part of the registration process should take care of bots, if it's not doing it's job, then it's been circumvented and is useless. An update might cover this, or their may be a hack available that will improve or enhance it. I've seen some sites where the text is obstructed with slashes and lines to reduce it's readability, this is because some of these bots can process the image and perform OCR on it to acquire the key code.

[Sasaki Kojiro]

All the bots are newish members, if you look at the id in the url they are all above 20k. I know I check out the pike and musket forum pretty regularly to instagib them and several other mods do as well.

[cegorach]

So do you propose to again limit the Junior Members to EH again ?

I have nothing against it, honestly. If moderators will delete their threads they will never reach member status if I am correct.

[MSB]

The EH system turns members away from the Org.

How about we stop this spam by creating a new rank. This rank can only post in the EH till they have at one post that is good and acceptable. Then they get promoted to Junior Member or straight to Member should their post be good enough in the eyes of the mods.

If you want help moderating that place I would be happy to help. Sadly I am neither a moderator or an assistant moderator and I can't mod

[Ludens]

How about we stop this spam by creating a new rank. This rank can only post in the EH till they have at one post that is good and acceptable. Then they get promoted to Junior Member or straight to Member should their post be good enough in the eyes of the mods.

The idea is being discussed. Since the current wave of spambots seems content to post just a single post, we could ensure all bot-generated spam is funelled into the Entrance Hall by requiring new member to post there once before being given access to the rest of the forum. However, it may confuse a lot of new members.

[Stig]

Rename them Introduction forum.
Make the subtitle, introduce yourself here before going into the forums

eh voila

[MSB]

Rename them Introduction forum.
Make the subtitle, introduce yourself here before going into the forums

eh voila

Nah! Even better names:
The Drawbridge or The Gatehouse
With the caption:
Welcome to the Org new members. Before you can enter and pass through the great walls and the huge Citadel of these mighty forums you must post here to introduce yourself to our community.

And while on the topic of the EH: I think Members/Senior Members should not be able to start new threads there, but they should be able to reply.

[cegorach]

I agree, if there will be a poll I will support that.


BTW I had spam only during the night (in my zone), maybe the flood is retreating...

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

Let's turn back the clocks and reinstate the junior/senior patron system, from back in my day.

[Ignoramus]

Nah! Even better names:
The Drawbridge or The Gatehouse
With the caption:
Welcome to the Org new members. Before you can enter and pass through the great walls and the huge Citadel of these mighty forums you must post here to introduce yourself to our community.

And while on the topic of the EH: I think Members/Senior Members should not be able to start new threads there, but they should be able to reply.

Or maybe the Atrium? To give it a "Roman" feel. Either way, they sound good.

[MSB]

BTW I had spam only during the night (in my zone), maybe the flood is retreating...

Four more just now! Some have an adult nature too. I think that this spam may be advancing.

[Abokasee]

I acually repleid useless help

Porn is not worth it, get a girl freind its cheaper (well often it is)