How do we stop them? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Bêthberry · 08-07-2010, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eönwë

It seems that two of them have recently joined, but not yet posted (1 and 2).

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.

Aiwendil · 08-07-2010, 01:45 PM

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 · 10-30-2010, 07:41 PM

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*** · 10-30-2010, 08:33 PM

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 · 01-28-2011, 08:05 PM

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 *

* and it is known that spammers usually don't have them.

Mithalwen · 05-19-2011, 04:03 AM

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 · 05-19-2011, 04:07 AM

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

Morthoron · 05-19-2011, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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...

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?

10-30-2010, 07:41 PM	#3
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,039	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! __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.

01-28-2011, 08:05 PM	#5
Galadriel55 Blossom of Dwimordene Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The realm of forgotten words Posts: 10,521	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 ** and it is known that spammers usually don't have them. __________________ You passed from under darkened dome, you enter now the secret land. - Take me to Finrod's fabled home!... ~ Finrod: The Rock Opera

05-19-2011, 04:03 AM	#6
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	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... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

05-19-2011, 04:07 AM	#7
Anguirel Byronic Brand Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The 1590s Posts: 2,778	The rape (in the Proserpine not DSK sense) of an actual RP thread always feels disproportionately traumatic __________________ Among the friendly dead, being bad at games did not seem to matter -Il Lupo Fenriso

08-07-2010, 01:45 PM	#2
Aiwendil Late Istar Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 2,224	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.

10-30-2010, 08:33 PM	#4
*Mister Underhill* Dread Horseman Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Behind you! Posts: 2,744	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!