How do we stop them?

[Morsul the Dark]

for unknown reasons there has been a surge in "New" Members trying to sell stuff on our sacred area....how do we stop them?

[radagastly]

Yeah, I've noticed that too. I guess all we can do is click the "report post" icon on the bottom of each post, and let the admins delete the thread and/or user. Not much you can do to keep them out without also shutting out potential new sincere members. I wish there was, but I can't imagine anything.

[Inziladun]

I don't think it's possible to forestall their appearances. All the admins and mods can do is act on them once they tip their hand.
On a related note, I've seen a spate of spammer-looking new user names in the past couple of days- two randomish personal names coupled with a number.

x/d with Radagastly

[Mithadan]

If you report spammers, we will delete their posts/threads and ban them as quickly as we can.

[alatar]

Note that mods can ban a spammer as soon as it is spotted, but it may take a little time for the admins to remove the post. I try to bury the spam thread by posting to another thread in the same section so at least it's not visible on the main page.

[Morsul the Dark]

Note that mods can ban a spammer as soon as it is spotted, but it may take a little time for the admins to remove the post. I try to bury the spam thread by posting to another thread in the same section so at least it's not visible on the main page.

Not a bad Idea

also thank you to Mithaden for his quick response!:smokin:

[Estelyn Telcontar]

We already have the built-in anti-spam barrier when registering, but apparently spam bots get more sophisticated all the time. Don't worry; there are always mods and admins looking in throughout the day, though not constantly, depending on the time zones. We get rid of spammers ASAP.

[Morthoron]

Perhaps we can construct a Downer spambot that automatically goes to the spammer's site, but does nothing but offer Tolkien quotes in Chinese.

[Nessa Telrunya]

Well, I am a relatively new member and I post a great deal, but I try to say something worthwhile.

People are trying to sell stuff? :confused:

[Inziladun]

Well, I am a relatively new member and I post a great deal, but I try to say something worthwhile.

People are trying to sell stuff? :confused:

Yes. Usually it seems to be 'new in the box' (ie- probably stolen) electronic items such as I-PODS and cell phones, but I've seen a few new wrinkles lately.

[Nessa Telrunya]

Yes. Usually it seems to be 'new in the box' (ie- probably stolen) electronic items such as I-PODS and cell phones, but I've seen a few new wrinkles lately.

What do electronics have to do with Tolkien? I don't see how they could justify putting ads like that in any forum category.



Yay! 100th post!!!!

[Inziladun]

What do electronics have to do with Tolkien? I don't see how they could justify putting ads like that in any forum category.


There is no justification, but they don't care about violating forum rules. Their sole purpose is to make a few posts and hope to drum up a bit of business.

[Rikae]

Neg-repping them with a string of insults doesn't really help, but it's quite satisfying. ;) I'm curious about the lower levels in the new rep system....

[Mithalwen]

Oh yes I do that too .... :D Though since the system has been reset it doesn't catapult them quite so far down... of course I also report them at the same time...

[mormegil]

Also, when you report a post an e-mail is sent out to the pertinent admins and mods so that even if we are not hanging out on the Downs that day we see our e-mail and generally respond quickly to delete them.

I do wish to take this moment to thank those who do report them as it helps make my job easier.:D

[Mithalwen]

Interesting to know the behind the scenes stuff ... I had noticed that there could be a timelag between banning and sending to that abyss and thought it must depend on who was around.

[Morsul the Dark]

Evil spammers go away

[alatar]

Eternal vigilance...:rolleyes:

[Mithalwen]

Especially for those who post something seeming innocuous with advertising in the sig.... :cool:

[Morsul the Dark]

Especially for those who post something seeming innocuous with advertising in the sig.... :cool:

Yeah They actually got me on that one I missed it Alatar however was not fooled

[Morthoron]

My question is, has anyone actually ever bought anything from a spammer? Has this form of marketing ever proven to be anything but obnoxious? And do the spamites ever consider using a spell-check, because rarely do they post anything coherent.

[Bêthberry]

My question is, has anyone actually ever bought anything from a spammer? Has this form of marketing ever proven to be anything but obnoxious? And do the spamites ever consider using a spell-check, because rarely do they post anything coherent.

I think, seeing as we are likely one of the last bastions of good spelling on teh Interwebs, that they never give spell-check a thought, as they likely don't bother to read us. They may, in fact, be unable to read our spelling. :D

[alatar]

My question is, has anyone actually ever bought anything from a spammer?
My question is about reciprocity. As these spammers leave a sign pointing back to their caves, how can that be used to send them something...ah...special? :D

[skip spence]

My question is, has anyone actually ever bought anything from a spammer? Has this form of marketing ever proven to be anything but obnoxious? And do the spamites ever consider using a spell-check, because rarely do they post anything coherent.

On another forum we had a member who replied to one of those Nigerian scam letters and proceeded to have a lengthy correspondence with a gentleman that he baited, reeled in, then released, over and over again, while duly posting the entire interchange. It was one of the funniest things I've ever read. Will see if I find it again.

But yeah, not the most erudite spammers on here...

[Pitchwife]

To begin with, would there be any way of making it impossible to register with a nick that consists of both

lower case letters only, and
more than two numbers at the end?

(still allowing for e.g. skip, Boro88 and autume98, but doing away with spmmr666 and all variations thereof)
I suppose any challenge to actually use their brains (or even be creative) would be to spammers what garlic is to vampires.

[Lush]

It's mostly bots, guys. Bots are like zombies. Neg-repping them doesn't hurt them. "You gotta shoot them in the head."

[skip spence]

It's mostly bots, guys. Bots are like zombies. Neg-repping them doesn't hurt them. "You gotta shoot them in the head."
Yeah, a good thing about these spam-bots is how they make it clear the day the machines will rise up and enslave us all is well into the future :rolleyes:

[The Saucepan Man]

Yeah, a good thing about these spam-bots is how they make it clear the day the machines will rise up and enslave us all is well into the future :rolleyes:I like ur post. Thank for sharing. For me it makes perfect sens ... bzzt ... znnnk ... bwwwwwwvvv ...

On the contrary, skip, I find the latest generation of spambots, with their ability to select quotes from the thread and comment on them, rather disturbing. For now, they remain relatively easy to spot, but it is surely only a matter of time before they are able to mingle among us undetected ...

In fact, for all we know, there may be regular posters here who are actually fiendishly clever spambots trying to reel us in to buy whatever it is they have to sell.

Btw, did I ever tell you about Fantasy Flight Games (http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/) ... ;)

[Nerwen]

For now, they remain relatively easy to spot, but it is surely only a matter of time before they are able to mingle among us undetected ...

Currently it's a bit of a giveaway when they post in the T-I-G threads.

As the flames seared her flesh, she screamed in agony– but the scream became an eerie howl, as her body seemed to ripple... then to transform into a gigantic werewolf. The monster thrashed as it burned alive, its fur blazing. As the fire mounted higher it gave a last, spine-chilling howl of anguish before it was lost to view in the flames. A few hours later nothing was left but charred and smoking bones.



Thank for you your kind thuoghts. You have realy helpd me in my job!

Bless you and have a nice day.

http://online facelifts– before and after

[alatar]

On the contrary, skip, I find the latest generation of spambots, with their ability to select quotes from the thread and comment on them, rather disturbing. For now, they remain relatively easy to spot, but it is surely only a matter of time before they are able to mingle among us undetected ...
No one is beyond suspicion...:D

...and it's quite possible that we may welcome them one day as they will have evolved the ability to write cogent thoughtful on-topic posts (I hope to as well one day).

[skip spence]

Spam-Bot: I like ur post. Thank for sharing. For me it makes perfect sens.

A perky Lush appears with a shotgun and shoots the head off Spam-Bot.

Lush: Die evil spammer!

Spam-Bot makes a few jerky movements, sparks fly in the air, then it collapses in a heap on the ground.

Lush blows the smoke away from the barrel.

Lush: That's how we stop them!

Behind Lush the smashed head of the Spam-bot is liquefied and reassembled, T-2 style. Spam-bot rises, and dusts itself off.

Spam-Bot: Thank for you your kind thuoghts. You have realy helpd me in my job! Bless you and have a nice day.

Lush flees in terror

[Lush]

Lush wouldn't flee in terror, because she totally knows her movie plot lines. She'd lure that disgusting abomination down to a factory and straight into a vat of molten steel. And the unknown future shall commence rolling toward us.

[Nerwen]

Lush wouldn't flee in terror, because she totally knows her movie plot lines. She'd lure that disgusting abomination down to a factory and straight into a vat of molten steel. And the unknown future shall commence rolling toward us.

...Bringing ever newer and more sophisticated spambots, some even with a basic grasp of the English language!:eek:

Glad to hear you're using this*: I plan to keep it much more aggressively up-to-date than has been the case in the past, but don't hesitate to let me know if you find errors or need clarifications.

*Glorfindel, apparently.

[Morsul the Dark]

The also target OLD threads

[Hakon]

That is true.

I would like to state here that I am going to become more creative when I report them. Instead of just saying It is a spam bot or something along the lines of that, I will say something more like help help the spam bot is coming help. I might also try and stick a crying smiley thing in there. I would just like to let everyone know.

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

...Bringing ever newer and more sophisticated spambots, some even with a basic grasp of the English language!:eek:

That is what's more scary than ever!

I looked at a thread today thinking that there would be something worth reading on it, I though it must be a new thread. It was from 2003! How do these spam bots find these sundry threads and start posting on them so rapidly? It is ridiculous, the rate that these bots are popping up recently!

[Mnemosyne]

That is what's more scary than ever!

I looked at a thread today thinking that there would be something worth reading on it, I though it must be a new thread. It was from 2003! How do these spam bots find these sundry threads and start posting on them so rapidly? It is ridiculous, the rate that these bots are popping up recently!

Maybe we can send this one into the Red Zone before it gets banned! Doesn't actually do anything, I know, but it's a nice guilty pleasure...

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

Maybe we can send this one into the Red Zone before it gets banned! Doesn't actually do anything, I know, but it's a nice guilty pleasure...
A very good idea!

[Laurinquë]

Ick, those spammers are really getting out of hand. I know the mods are doing their best (and they're doing very well!) but the quantity of the guys seems to be increasing exponentially.

The 'spammer/user' thing is spreading to other sites as well. I have a 'friend' on facebook who keeps sending me these offers for cheap vintage jewellery but is perfectly civil the rest of the time. What's going on here? Is there a massive spamming conspiracy happening? They just never seem to die do they? :(

But if we think it's bad here try going onto a poorly moderated site and you will find it is almost nothing but spam. Makes me glad that the Downs tries to keep on top of it.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

A brief information from the mod/admin team: All of us can ban spammers, but only those who are responsible for a particular forum can delete the thread. Please be patient - sometimes a thread stays around for a bit if the responsible mod hasn't seen it. It will be deleted as soon as possible.

We too wish we could find a way to nip these spammers in the bud - if any of you know of a technique that works against modern spambots, please do let us know!

[Lush]

The 'spammer/user' thing is spreading to other sites as well. I have a 'friend' on facebook who keeps sending me these offers for cheap vintage jewellery but is perfectly civil the rest of the time. What's going on here? Is there a massive spamming conspiracy happening?

Hacked account. Tell your friend that this is happening, so they change their password.

This could happen on BD as well, I guess - I mean, if it already happens on Twitter... Keeping our passwords nice and complicated is always a good policy in general.

[Eönwë]

Three in a row... that's bad.

[Lindale]

And another three in a row. Goodness me...:(

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

We should at least have fun with it; otherwise it'll drive us mad.

Ask yourself: What would Turgon do? ;)

[Pitchwife]

Ask yourself: What would Turgon do? ;)
Once they had found their way to his hidden city unbidden, I believe the usual procedure was to keep them there for the rest of their lives. Doesn't really seem like what we'd want to do.
Then again, if they became a nuisance, he'd send them bungee-jumping off Caragdûr without a rope. That sounds more attractive.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

I was suggesting the rather drastic step of building very large walls around this city. :p

Those who wish to join would have to get past the eagles.

[Lindale]

Or let's get a nice little Melian-ish fence around us, preciousss!

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

Well, a lot of these idjits are Trolls, here to disrupt rather than sell spam (which is why they should be ignored and left to be deleted by the moderators). Perhaps if we could find a way to get them to crawl out of their dark holes and into the sunlight, they'd turn to stone and save us a lot of time in building the walls. :rolleyes:

[skip spence]

Some of these spammers are an odd breed indeed. Not sure they are Trolls though because they get kicks trolling for replies and reactions by posting stuff that isn't sincere but generates heat. Around here a good troll topic would be: PJ is a great film maker who made a dull book exiting or Balrogs have wings, dumbass. But I can't see how anyone could find it amusing to post the dull and barely literate posts of today for example. And for us it's mildly annoying but hardly something that raises the blood pressure. My guess (as a computer illiterate) are slightly more sophisticated spambots, first posing as a serious poster (and Danielle Steele fans apparently :eek:) without trying to sell anything, hoping to remain unnoticed and then... uhm... gets down to some sort of dirty business no doubt...

[Loslote]

We could always add a new requirement to the registering form - instead of typing Tolkien, they would have to type the name of the Downer who got them on the site, or the reason they found it. If they don't have a reason or a sponser, then die, evil spambot. :p

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

But then they would just invent reasons, either with standard texts or generated from real posts. Granted, it might be easy to spot a few of these generated ones - say:

I like werewolf but I agree with Mister Underhill. Inktomi Slurp Spiders have wings.

That's little problem. But can we refuse a new member for simply stating:

I like Lord of the Rings

? Easy for the bots, but simple also for prospective Downers.

Perhaps Esty should just interview everyone via chat. Give her a raise and I'm sure she'll do it. :p

[Loslote]

Actually, that (interviews with potential newbies) has the potential to be extremely amusing (at least to me). Hm...*contemplates writing a fanfic about it* Maybe over the weekend. :p

[alatar]

"How do we stop them?"

"To fight the bug, we must understand the bug. We can ill afford another Klendathu."

"We must meet this threat with our courage, our valor, indeed with our very lives to ensure that human civilization, not insect, dominates this galaxy *now and always*!"

Or something like that.

[The Might]

I guess the interviews are a joke right?

Just googled a bit looking for possible answers on how to achieve this on a vBulletin forum. Upgrading to version 3.6 would bring improved image captchas, but I'm not sure how much that would help... it would against bots, but if these are real people then it wouldn't help.

Also, a couple of addons were mentioned which either make it unattractive for spammers to post in the forum by blocking the links they post or addons detecting keywords in their posts as spam and sending them to the moderation queue.

Otherwise, the only other idea I found interesting was moderating new members, so only allowing them to post once they were manually unlocked by an admin. Not sure how well that would work though.

[Loslote]

I guess the interviews are a joke right?

Yes. That's why I added the :p. Mostly I am always joking, so it's a pretty safe assumption to make. ;)

[Lalaith]

Following on from Loslote's idea, change typing Tolkien to answering a question....What has it got in its pocketsss?

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

I might suggest asking people to type something like my name, but then, even I have to cut and paste it to get it right. And even most Tolkien fans look at it and go "what the ----?" :D

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Dear member who used several * to tell a spammer to leave: annoying as they may be, they are bots. They will not react to any responses by you or others, whether polite or profane. The only solution is for us to ban them and delete their posts/threads, which we do as fast as we can. Thank you.

[Eönwë]

It seems that two of them have recently joined, but not yet posted (1 (http://www.forum.barrowdowns.com/member.php?u=7983) and 2 (http://www.forum.barrowdowns.com/member.php?u=7991)).

Just thought I'd mention it as I saw in them in the Active and Newest members section at the bottom of the front page, and they have no posts yet.

[Inziladun]

If you search the Members List by the number of posts, probably the last eight or nine pages or so (ie, the ones that have zero posts) are almost exclusively spammers. Sometimes they'll lie dormant for a while before slamming the host forum.

[Bêthberry]

It seems that two of them have recently joined, but not yet posted (1 (http://www.forum.barrowdowns.com/member.php?u=7983) and 2 (http://www.forum.barrowdowns.com/member.php?u=7991)).

Just thought I'd mention it as I saw in them in the Active and Newest members section at the bottom of the front page, and they have no posts yet.

At least one of them will have a bad hair day when it posts. :D

[Aiwendil]

Thanks, Eonwe! Both banned.

I do often check the newest member and ban obvious spammers, and I've gone through the last pages of the member list a few times and cleaned them out. I'll do so again soon if I get a chance.

[Inziladun]

I'd like to say that I applaud the recent efforts of the Admin and Mod staff to curb the spammers.
In the last few weeks especially, I've seen many obvious spammers (random-looking Member Names, with links in the sig line to product or service websites) banned almost as soon as they joined.
Additionally, a great number of them that had registered in the past but had never posted, were cleared from the Members List.

Thanks for your hard work, and keep it up please! :)

[Mister Underhill]

To turn this into a total love-fest, let me say that the diligence of members in giving us the heads-up on spam and spammers is a huge factor in helping us keep a relatively tight lid on the problem. So good work and keep it up back at ya!

[Galadriel55]

Maybe in addition to typing Tolkien new "members" should be required to answer a basic LOTR question - something pretty obvious that also is obvious in the movies. Something like Who was NOT a member of the Fellowship: and then choices a)Frodo, b)Gandalf, and c)Sauron.
Or something along the lines of that. Maybe they should type the name of so-and-so instead of "guess&checking". That would make people use their brains *:eek:* and it is known that spammers usually don't have them. :D

[Mithalwen]

Anyone else notice that we have a better class of spambot these days? Latest one posts something vaguely relevant to thread title - if they had 't given them selves away with obviously advertising name and sig-link they are getting close to ressembling a hapless newcomer whose English isn't as remarkable as so many of our ESL speakers.... scary...

[Anguirel]

The rape (in the Proserpine not DSK sense) of an actual RP thread always feels disproportionately traumatic

[Nerwen]

The rape (in the Proserpine not DSK sense) of an actual RP thread always feels disproportionately traumatic

As a curiosity, Google search reveals that all those educational facts about "Max the Mad, Duke of Gascoyne" come from another "King's Players" game (http://www.circvsmaximvs.com/showthread.php?p=956902#post956902).

[Anguirel]

Nerwen, you are truly a noted scholar and thinker

[Morthoron]

Anyone else notice that we have a better class of spambot these days? Latest one posts something vaguely relevant to thread title - if they had 't given them selves away with obviously advertising name and sig-link they are getting close to ressembling a hapless newcomer whose English isn't as remarkable as so many of our ESL speakers.... scary...

I am still wondering about the efficacy of a spambot. Is there any industry numbers that show statistically that this is a useful marketing tool? I can see a group of spambots at dinner at the Ashtabula Marriot Motel, Convention Center and Gas 'n' Go all sharing their experiences online in the past year:

beejhay13: you are rite, arwen did see aragorn. the rx100 vacuum system has dander free hepa filter.

zhongjian: i can't agree more, the film was interesting. MP3 players @ cut-rates.

divina33: This a is very conversation good. I would like more to learn. Cat Spray Deterrent 100% effective.

jacquewaldos: nude photos of prince charles and camilla.

youbian123: I never thought that. It is not something Tolkein discuss. Caribbean cruises 1/2 off.

Waiter: I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you mean. I'll ask again, what did you folks want to order for dinner?

[Mithalwen]

Nerwen, you are truly a noted scholar and thinker

Indeed, Ang dear you may have met your Antipodean match... (in the intellectual sense, quite enough of the other sort going on already... ).

It is particularly horrid when the little subcreated worlds are invaded - I neg repped a futile tirade against the one who landed in WF a while back. The one on the LOTR Score had ripped off something almost eloquent.

[LadyBrooke]

Apparently, the spam bots are preparing to fight a revolution...would somebody like to get rid of henryclinton15 (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/member.php?u=10272) before he gets his troops in line?:p It might be awhile though...apparently, the troops have to pay for airline flights with credit card rewards. :Merisu:

[Inziladun]

Apparently, the spam bots are preparing to fight a revolution...would somebody like to get rid of henryclinton15 (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/member.php?u=10272) before he gets his troops in line?:p It might be awhile though...apparently, the troops have to pay for airline flights with credit card rewards. :Merisu:

I'd like to zap them as soon as I see those worthless links in their sig line. It can be frustrating watching them setting up their profiles and being helpless. Neg-repping the ones that are brave enough to post gives some satisfaction, though.

[Galadriel55]

I'd like to zap them as soon as I see those worthless links in their sig line. It can be frustrating watching them setting up their profiles and being helpless.

Ditto. It's also frustrating having to wait until they post before you can do anything about it, even though you know they are spammers (a bit obvious, when they have all kinds of links in their siggies).

I don't really understand why they are doing all that. It's useles, and a waste of their time. I'm sure that they're sure they can profit from it, but hasn't it been proven worthless?:rolleyes:

[LadyBrooke]

I'd like to zap them as soon as I see those worthless links in their sig line. It can be frustrating watching them setting up their profiles and being helpless. Neg-repping the ones that are brave enough to post gives some satisfaction, though.

Very frustrating - I wish there was a way to report them, same as spam posts can be reported. Especially since a lot of them seem to join late at night...and it's just me and the spammers, all alone. :p

[Inziladun]

I don't really understand why they are doing all that. It's useles, and a waste of their time. I'm sure that they're sure they can profit from it, but hasn't it been proven worthless?:rolleyes:

There are some who advertise the same website or company again and again. I've Googled the ones who look like legitimate businesses and verified that the URLs matched what was in the spam links, then I've e-mailed the business complaining about the spam (though I haven't specifically named the Downs as a victim).
To date, I've received a response from one company. The respondent told me they'd had a problem with competitors spamming their website on forums to somehow drive down their rating on Google and other search engines. Not being all that knowledgeable about such things, I wasn't sure if I believed them or not.

[Galadriel55]

Very frustrating - I wish there was a way to report them, same as spam posts can be reported. Especially since a lot of them seem to join late at night...and it's just me and the spammers, all alone. :p

I wish so too. And it's not only you: very often I see 2 members on the Online list - me and a spammer whom I can't report because they haven't posted yet. :mad:

Zil: I'm also not so sure I believe them. :)

[satansaloser2005]

To date, I've received a response from one company. The respondent told me they'd had a problem with competitors spamming their website on forums to somehow drive down their rating on Google and other search engines. Not being all that knowledgeable about such things, I wasn't sure if I believed them or not.

Except isn't it the exact opposite? The more pages you're on, the higher your results on Google, etc. Or at least that's how I understood it.

[Inziladun]

Except isn't it the exact opposite? The more pages you're on, the higher your results on Google, etc. Or at least that's how I understood it.

You probably know more about it than I. At least they replied, though.

[satansaloser2005]

You probably know more about it than I. At least they replied, though.

True. That's more than most companies will do. And I'm not sure if I'm right or not, but I'd heard that as an explanation for why spammers do stuff like this in the first place, so I don't know.

Also, look, we've got another one. Oh joy.

[Galadriel55]

Also, look, we've got another one. Oh joy.

Another 2, I think... :)

[satansaloser2005]

Another 2, I think... :)

Do tell? I only see rumparee. The other online users are you*, I, Brooke, and Foley.


*You're invisible, actually, but I still know you're on. :p

[Galadriel55]

Do tell? I only see rumparee. The other online users are you*, I, Brooke, and Foley.

There was someone else earlier today whose name I don't recall anymore, but he was a spammer...

*You're invisible, actually, but I still know you're on. :p

Yes, I'm wearing the One Ring, and you can't see me! But you can hear me speak, and you know I'm here! ;)

All in honour of my first WW game. As is my siggy. :p

[Pitchwife]

There was someone else earlier today whose name I don't recall anymore, but he was a spammer.
Would that have been the one who was advertising cyber security, of all things? I nearly laughed my head off about that one. A spambot capable of self irony, who would have thought it!

[Galadriel55]

Would that have been the one who was advertising cyber security, of all things? I nearly laughed my head off about that one. A spambot capable of self irony, who would have thought it!

HAHAHA!!!! :D Who would have thought of that indeed!!!

I think that's the one. But I might be wrong. They all look alike and there's too many of them.

[LadyBrooke]

There was someone else earlier today whose name I don't recall anymore, but he was a spammer...

Are you referring to; alecia05 (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/member.php?u=10287), charrmaelydee (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/member.php?u=10286), lllopez1518 (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/member.php?u=10283), bratt01 (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/member.php?u=10289), darian11 (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/member.php?u=10290), or kitty123 (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/member.php?u=10291). All of whom have registered today, and all of whom seem to be advertising either dog portraits or plumbing....There's more from yesterday, but I got tired of going through the member's list, and not being able to just ban the things....Or the one Pitch mentioned, that posted three separate threads....

[Galadriel55]

I have the feeling that there are just two real people behind all the spammers, since there are only 2 things being advertised, as you said.

lllopaz and charrr.....something look familiar. So I take my words back: I saw 2 other spammers other than rumparee. But there are more that I (luckily) didn't notice.

EDIT: I just remembered someone whos User Name was NotASpammer. Funnily enough he didn't have a signature... :p

[Galadriel55]

This (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/member.php?u=10481)guy looks familiar. I'm sure this is not his first time here! :mad:

Is this some spammer attack? Today I neg-repped a tirade for two of them that posted and there are more of them lurking.... And they are not even trying to look intelligent!

[Mithalwen]

I suppose we will get more even may be as the hobbit hype increases. It is frustrating when you see people registering which you are 99.9% sure are spammers but you can't do anything until they actually post.

[Galadriel55]

It is frustrating when you see people registering which you are 99.9% sure are spammers but you can't do anything until they actually post.

Seconded!!!

[Galadriel55]

I sometimes wonder how they remember their usernames. Most of them wait a few days after joining before they post.

It would drive me nuts if I had to type cug56UFj04k or something of that sort every time I log in... But most of them only log in once.

[alatar]

It's frustrating, even as a mod, that you have to wait for the spammer's first post to infractionate them into banhood.

Then when it finally does, Aiwendil beats me to it. ;)

[Galadriel55]

Question to all of you (I want to find the degree of my craziness): does someone else also sometimes click on the name of the "newest member" to see whether they have been banned already? :rolleyes:

[Pitchwife]

Yes.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Question to all of you (I want to find the degree of my craziness): does someone else also sometimes click on the name of the "newest member" to see whether they have been banned already? :rolleyes:

Yes.

Haha, you two are funny. :D

(Now for some reason what I just wrote struck me as something Lommy would write. :eek: )

[Galadriel55]

Oh for goodness sake!... There has been a spammer here for the past few days, reusing its* name, but putting a different number after it every time. It's up to 5 already. :rolleyes:

I don't remember how many times I've reported it already, and I'm afraid to think how many more there would have to be. :mad:

I am sort of wondering, though, did all those spammers actually watch/read LOTR or did the research to find out the new anti-spam code?

*No, they don't deserve a gender, or recognition that they are in fact people -- in my books they aren't, not until they start acting as such.

[Inziladun]

Reusing names is old hat for these cretins.

I doubt they bother to do any "research" about Tolkien or LOTR. At the most they might paraphrase or copy/paste from a legitimate post.

As for the anti-spam word-type requirement, I would think all it takes to get by that (or for that matter, a CAPTCHA), is a live person behind the spam instead of an automated program.
IP bans can be an avenue, but there are certainly ways around that too.

What they don't get is that they're wasting their efforts posting on this forum. The caliber of the intellect here is far too great to click on any of their worthless links.

[The Barrow-Wight]

I'd change the anti-spam question again, but it's quicker and easier to just delete the spammer.

If you think this is bad, wait until The Hobbit is released. It's gonna get crazy.

[Inziladun]

If you think this is bad, wait until The Hobbit is released. It's gonna get crazy.

Oh yes. I think the main reason this forum is targeted is its high level of activity. The next movie ought to really ramp things up.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Oh for goodness sake!... There has been a spammer here for the past few days, reusing its* name, but putting a different number after it every time. It's up to 5 already. :rolleyes:

I don't remember how many times I've reported it already, and I'm afraid to think how many more there would have to be. :mad:
Indeed! Imagine a spambot who would keep coming back again and again, using a new number after its name each time, for like, for example fifty-four times... these spambots are the worst, before you know it, they get over 4000 posts and you might actually start believing they are genuine people...

[Morthoron]

Indeed! Imagine a spambot who would keep coming back again and again, using a new number after its name each time, for like, for example fifty-four times... these spambots are the worst, before you know it, they get over 4000 posts and you might actually start believing they are genuine people...

The delineation between spammer and real poster on this site is usually pretty clear-cut; however, on some sites I've been to, one can almost appreciate the sentience of spammers over the puerility of posts made by some allegedly "real" people.

[Galadriel55]

Indeed! Imagine a spambot who would keep coming back again and again, using a new number after its name each time, for like, for example fifty-four times... these spambots are the worst, before you know it, they get over 4000 posts and you might actually start believing they are genuine people...

:Merisu:

The delineation between spammer and real poster on site is usually pretty clear-cut; however, on some sites I've been to, one can almost appreciate the sentience of spammers over the puerility of posts made by some allegedly "real" people.

That's horrible! :(

(The other sites, I mean; it's terrific that the Downs is different)

[Nerwen]

I have to say, Morth, I've gone so far as to report a real person as a bot-suspect even here. More than once, I think.

[Inziladun]

I have to say, Morth, I've gone so far as to report a real person as a bot-suspect even here. More than once, I think.

I'm probably guilty of that myself. But when it looks like a spammer, and writes like a spammer....

[Inziladun]

Within the past few weeks, I've seen a veritable explosion of random-looking User Names popping up as new members. I refuse to believe they all have innocent intentions.
At this moment, there are nine registering. Nazgûl!! :eek:

[Tar-Jêx]

Within the past few weeks, I've seen a veritable explosion of random-looking User Names popping up as new members. I refuse to believe they all have innocent intentions.
At this moment, there are nine registering. Nazgûl!! :eek:

They names are all similar in that they are nonsensical, too. We must purge them.

[Tar-Jêx]

By the flames of Orodruin, they have multiplied! Emergency!

[Galadriel55]

I haven't seen a single one for a few weeks until yesterday. I kept wanting to comment that we have defeated the spammers, but I didn't want to jinx it. And today I log on and see that I'm surrounded by the foul creatures! :eek:

[Inziladun]

Over a dozen right now. There can be nothing good from this.

[Inziladun]

There are even more now! I fear the anti-spam measures have been breached. There's no way all these registrations have gone through approved procedures.

[Formendacil]

And at least as of the moment of writing, they seem to have a fixation on the New Silmarillion forum, of all places. :confused:

[Galadriel55]

There are 31 of them for 4 visible Downers! That's an 8:1 ratio. Let's fix that. *whips out cybersword*

Edit: in the time it took me to post, they multiplied to 36 and the ratio went up to 9:1. Oh boy. :eek:

Edit 2: in the time it took me to edit, their numbers (online) went down to 29. There is hope yet?

Edit 3: 42 of them. Heck, I can't edit fast enough to keep track of statistics of such an epic invasion!

Edit4: 50 of them and we're two visible Downers down, bringing the ratio to 25:1!!!

I think I'll stop counting now, because when I refreshed the page the list got slightly longer again... oh man. Not good at all...

[Inziladun]

It's really getting outrageous. What are they doing? :mad:

http://www.stentorian.com/antispam/ring_spm.jpg

[Inziladun]

And....it looks like they're gone! Is it too early to say, Long live the Barrow-Wight! Praise him with great praise? :D

EDIT- *sigh*, as of 14:47 here's another registering.

[Mithalwen]

Too soon, just me and a dozen lower lines from an eyesight test chart just now:rolleyes:

[Galadriel55]

Hmm, only one on right now. ??? :Merisu::D Dare we hope?

[Tar-Jêx]

Hmm, only one on right now. ??? :Merisu::D Dare we hope?

They've been purged a few times, I think. We got above 3200 at one point, then down to 3150, and I think we broke 3200 again before back to where we are now.

Hopefully we can stop this. What if it's 4chan? Then we're all screwed.

[Inziladun]

I'm really curious about the motives behind them. What are they after?

[alatar]

Have you considered that, maybe, the bots have grown more sentient, and as a consequence, have developed a taste for Tolkien?

[Kuruharan]

Have you considered that, maybe, the bots have grown more sentient, and as a consequence, have developed a taste for Tolkien?

Maybe there is hope for the future after all.

[Mithalwen]

I'm really curious about the motives behind them. What are they after?

The ring my precious. ?..it callses them....

[Inziladun]

Maybe it's part of a dark plot of movie-moguls to stifle criticisms of the films! :eek:

The ones I've seen on today all seem to have registered two days or more ago, and perhaps they can't post because they haven't gone through the authentication procedures.

[Tar-Jêx]

Maybe it's part of a dark plot of movie-moguls to stifle criticisms of the films! :eek:

The ones I've seen on today all seem to have registered two days or more ago, and perhaps they can't post because they haven't gone through the authentication procedures.

What if they're actually real people?

[Inziladun]

What if they're actually real people?

Then there's apparently a coordinated plan to infiltrate this forum, involving several dozen persons. I still don't see what motives exist for creating so many bogus accounts, but they cannot have legitimate reasons for doing so.

[Galadriel55]

They've been purged a few times, I think. We got above 3200 at one point, then down to 3150, and I think we broke 3200 again before back to where we are now.

Please tell me I need to get new glasses, because these numbers appear to be above three thousand. ...THREE FREAKIN THOUSAND!!!:eek:


Then there's apparently a coordinated plan to infiltrate this forum, involving several dozen persons. I still don't see what motives exist for creating so many bogus accounts, but they cannot have legitimate reasons for doing so.

I think it's more likely that one or two people are behind a large chunk of the ridiculous accounts. Maybe they hope that by quantity they'll be able to overwhelm the forum and get people to click links... Still, quite a lot of effort and little hope for success.

[Tar-Jêx]

Please tell me I need to get new glasses, because these numbers appear to be above three thousand. ...THREE FREAKIN THOUSAND!!!:eek:




I think it's more likely that one or two people are behind a large chunk of the ridiculous accounts. Maybe they hope that by quantity they'll be able to overwhelm the forum and get people to click links... Still, quite a lot of effort and little hope for success.

If I recall correctly, when I joined, we were at 2800.

On the bright side, all these accounts are gaining us publicity (maybe). However, it's a number of people spamming accounts, rather than joining in our engaging discussion.

[Galadriel55]

If I recall correctly, when I joined, we were at 2800.

Wait... that doesn't seem right. The counter on the main page says "Most users ever online was 1,388, 12-23-2012 at 11:24 PM". Couldn't have been over 2K...

Thinking about it, though, I just noticed that I didn't even look at this counter since (before) 2012, because from what I remember last, the most members was hit at a time before I joined. Still, in 2012 there weren't that many more active Downers; must have been another spammer attack...

[Tar-Jêx]

Wait... that doesn't seem right. The counter on the main page says "Most users ever online was 1,388, 12-23-2012 at 11:24 PM". Couldn't have been over 2K...

Thinking about it, though, I just noticed that I didn't even look at this counter since (before) 2012, because from what I remember last, the most members was hit at a time before I joined. Still, in 2012 there weren't that many more active Downers; must have been another spammer attack...

Oh, not users online. Accounts made.

[Inziladun]

Oh, not users online. Accounts made.

I still think they're unable to really do anything. They haven't progressed beyond the 'Registered User' phase. Like Sauron after the destruction of the One, they are:

'... a mere spirit of malice that gnaws itself in the shadows, but cannot again grow or take shape.'

'Aurë entuluva!' If only I could wield a two-handed cybernetic axe, and slay these foul ones! ;)

[Tar-Jêx]

I still think they're unable to really do anything. They haven't progressed beyond the 'Registered User' phase. Like Sauron after the destruction of the One, they are:



'Aurë entuluva!' If only I could wield a two-handed cybernetic axe, and slay these foul ones! ;)

Stalk Mister Underhill and The Barrow Wight to their houses at night to gain access to their computers. That way, the power shall be yours for the taking. *tempt tempt*

[Inziladun]

Stalk Mister Underhill and The Barrow Wight to their houses at night to gain access to their computers. That way, the power shall be yours for the taking. *tempt tempt*

I wouldn't presume to try. Though my own residence has its own protective 'enchantments', I expect Admins' homes are veritable Helm's Deeps. ;)

[Morthoron]

Then there's apparently a coordinated plan to infiltrate this forum, involving several dozen persons. I still don't see what motives exist for creating so many bogus accounts, but they cannot have legitimate reasons for doing so.

I believe they are Dwarves typing Khuzdul with a Westron font. Unfortunately for the Naugrim, they cannot understand the concept of posting on this site. After all, there is a big difference between a forum menu and ai-mênu!

[Tar-Jêx]

To be frank, this is frustrating. There have been literally thousands of accounts made to spam us. Could an admin alter the account registration so that if it's a bot (almost certainly they are bots), it will stop working?

[Inziladun]

To be frank, this is frustrating. There have been literally thousands of accounts made to spam us. Could an admin alter the account registration so that if it's a bot (almost certainly they are bots), it will stop working?

There are blocks in place to prevent spambots, and without special knowledge of Admin enchantments here, it looks as if they're mostly working. The rogue accounts are registered, but don't seem to have posting privileges. That makes them a minor annoyance. I think The Barrow-wight is cleaning them out when he comes on.

[Andsigil]

How about if we hop over to 4chan or Reddit and see if Anonymous will crush the spambot senders?

[Morthoron]

Unitedtruckrepair logged on today. Obviously interested in comparing Tolkien's use of the term "wain" as opposed to "waggon".

[Morthoron]

What the hell is going on here? Twice today I saw at least 20 new spelling-impaired spammers trying to log in. What, pray tell, is the reasoning for this spam gone amok?

[Inziladun]

What the hell is going on here? Twice today I saw at least 20 new spelling-impaired spammers trying to log in. What, pray tell, is the reasoning for this spam gone amok?

All I can reason is that they're spammers who are able to register, but are frustrated by other security measures so that they're unable to post.
They are persistent, though. If they got real jobs they might actually accomplish something meaningful in life.

[Inziladun]

Get out, you old Bot! Welcome you are not!
Vanish like a bad rash, like a Jackson movie,
Away into the cyber-space in Al Gore's fevered brain!
Come never here again! Leave this barrow peaceful!
Useless and unwanted be, a very evil cretin,
Where capcha stands forever firm, and your code is broken!

[tom the eldest]

So thats all the gibberish account ive been seeing.i have just comeback,and was quite perplexed at these odd accounts

[Belegorn]

There are like at least 40 of them on now.

[Morthoron]

Good Lord, there are five on currently: Qo8syUbhz, Ua9fxEjtp, Uo9deQpjv, z3w9z5o421 and Ed4gyQdav. This is ridiculous.

[Kuruharan]

Good Lord, there are five on currently: Qo8syUbhz, Ua9fxEjtp, Uo9deQpjv, z3w9z5o421 and Ed4gyQdav. This is ridiculous.

They all seem very interested in The New Silmarillion. :rolleyes:

[Inziladun]

Since the Maggot-folk of Cyberspace have not ceased their invasion attempts, take THIS!!

http://www.troll.me/images/you-shall-not-pass-gandalf/spam-bots-you-shall-not-pass-.jpg

[Morthoron]

Since the Maggot-folk of Cyberspace have not ceased their invasion attempts, take THIS!!

http://www.troll.me/images/you-shall-not-pass-gandalf/spam-bots-you-shall-not-pass-.jpg

How embarrassing having Gandalf fall to spam-bots.:D

[Inziladun]

How embarrassing having Gandalf fall to spam-bots.:D

But he returned to finish his task: just like the forum! :cool:

[Belegorn]

The shadows (5) creep again....

[Snowdog]

I have to admit chuckling at the well-versed AI post in a movie thread the other day that got to its point with a link titled 'How to find sl*ts'