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

Morsul the Dark · 07-08-2009, 09:10 PM

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 · 07-08-2009, 09:26 PM

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.

***Mithadan*** · 07-08-2009, 09:31 PM

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

alatar · 07-08-2009, 09:31 PM

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 · 07-08-2009, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Not a bad Idea

also thank you to Mithaden for his quick response!

Estelyn Telcontar · 07-09-2009, 04:04 AM

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 · 07-09-2009, 05:23 AM

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

Inziladun · 07-08-2009, 09:30 PM

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

Morsul the Dark · 10-12-2009, 07:54 PM

The also target OLD threads

Hakon · 10-12-2009, 09:12 PM

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.

Galadriel55 · 07-09-2011, 10:16 AM

This guy looks familiar. I'm sure this is not his first time here!

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 · 07-09-2011, 11:03 AM

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 · 07-09-2011, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

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 · 10-20-2011, 06:50 PM

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 · 10-20-2011, 07:47 PM

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.

07-08-2009, 09:10 PM	#1
Morsul the Dark Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 3,448	How do we stop them? for unknown reasons there has been a surge in "New" Members trying to sell stuff on our sacred area....how do we stop them? __________________ Morsul the Resurrected

07-08-2009, 09:26 PM	#2
radagastly Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Washington, D. C., USA Posts: 299	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. __________________ But all the while I sit and think of times there were before, I listen for returning feet and voices at the door.

07-08-2009, 09:31 PM	#3
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,383	If you report spammers, we will delete their posts/threads and ban them as quickly as we can. __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.

07-08-2009, 09:31 PM	#4
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	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. __________________ There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.

07-09-2009, 04:04 AM	#6
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	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. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

07-09-2009, 05:23 AM	#7
Morthoron Curmudgeonly Wordwraith Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ensconced in curmudgeonly pursuits Posts: 2,509	Perhaps we can construct a Downer spambot that automatically goes to the spammer's site, but does nothing but offer Tolkien quotes in Chinese. __________________ And your little sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the bony shoulders of a young horse named George who stole surreptitiously into her geography revision.

07-08-2009, 09:30 PM	#8
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,037	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 __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.

10-12-2009, 07:54 PM	#9
Morsul the Dark Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 3,448	The also target OLD threads __________________ Morsul the Resurrected

10-12-2009, 09:12 PM	#10
Hakon Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Twilight Zone Posts: 736	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. __________________ Medicine for the soul. ~Inscription over the door of the Library at Thebes

07-09-2011, 10:16 AM	#11
Galadriel55 Blossom of Dwimordene Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The realm of forgotten words Posts: 10,411	This guy looks familiar. I'm sure this is not his first time here! 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! __________________ You passed from under darkened dome, you enter now the secret land. - Take me to Finrod's fabled home!... ~ Finrod: The Rock Opera

07-09-2011, 11:03 AM	#12
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,458	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. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

10-20-2011, 06:50 PM	#14
Galadriel55 Blossom of Dwimordene Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The realm of forgotten words Posts: 10,411	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. __________________ You passed from under darkened dome, you enter now the secret land. - Take me to Finrod's fabled home!... ~ Finrod: The Rock Opera

10-20-2011, 07:47 PM	#15
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	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. __________________ There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.