How do we stop them? - Page 4 - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mithalwen · 11-25-2014, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inziladun

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

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

Inziladun · 11-25-2014, 05:33 PM

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

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 · 11-26-2014, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inziladun

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

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 · 11-26-2014, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tar-Jêx

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 · 11-27-2014, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tar-Jêx

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!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inziladun

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 · 11-28-2014, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

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

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 · 11-29-2014, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tar-Jêx

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 · 11-29-2014, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

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 · 11-29-2014, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tar-Jêx

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:

Quote:

'... 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 · 11-30-2014, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inziladun

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 · 11-30-2014, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tar-Jêx

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 · 12-02-2014, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inziladun

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 · 12-06-2014, 05:43 AM

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 · 12-06-2014, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

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 · 12-06-2014, 09:19 AM

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

Morthoron · 12-16-2014, 01:48 PM

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

Morthoron · 12-23-2014, 08:35 PM

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 · 12-23-2014, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

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 · 12-25-2014, 11:01 AM

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 · 12-30-2014, 10:20 AM

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

Belegorn · 01-04-2015, 12:59 AM

There are like at least 40 of them on now.

Morthoron · 05-04-2015, 03:55 PM

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

Kuruharan · 05-04-2015, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morthoron

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.

Inziladun · 05-11-2015, 02:21 PM

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

Morthoron · 05-11-2015, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inziladun

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

How embarrassing having Gandalf fall to spam-bots.

Inziladun · 05-11-2015, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morthoron

How embarrassing having Gandalf fall to spam-bots.

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

Belegorn · 07-25-2015, 03:05 AM

The shadows (5) creep again....

11-25-2014, 05:33 PM	#122
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,037	Maybe it's part of a dark plot of movie-moguls to stifle criticisms of the films! 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. __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.

12-06-2014, 09:19 AM	#135
Andsigil Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The Deepest Forges of Ered Luin Posts: 733	How about if we hop over to 4chan or Reddit and see if Anonymous will crush the spambot senders? __________________ Even as fog continues to lie in the valleys, so does ancient sin cling to the low places, the depression in the world consciousness.

12-16-2014, 01:48 PM	#136
Morthoron Curmudgeonly Wordwraith Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ensconced in curmudgeonly pursuits Posts: 2,508	*Unitedtruckrepair* logged on today. Obviously interested in comparing Tolkien's use of the term "wain" as opposed to "waggon". __________________ 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.

12-23-2014, 08:35 PM	#137
Morthoron Curmudgeonly Wordwraith Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ensconced in curmudgeonly pursuits Posts: 2,508	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? __________________ 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.

12-25-2014, 11:01 AM	#139
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,037	To the Spammer Army 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! __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.

12-06-2014, 05:43 AM	#133
Tar-Jêx Wight Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Armenelos, Númenor Posts: 205	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?

12-30-2014, 10:20 AM	#140
tom the eldest Wight Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: far away,in the southern arda Posts: 153	So thats all the gibberish account ive been seeing.i have just comeback,and was quite perplexed at these odd accounts __________________ Fly,you fools!-gandalf,the bridge of khazad dûm

01-04-2015, 12:59 AM	#141
Belegorn Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Henneth Annûn, Ithilien Posts: 462	There are like at least 40 of them on now. __________________ "For believe me: the secret for harvesting from existence the greatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment is - to live dangerously!" - G.S.; F. Nietzsche

05-04-2015, 03:55 PM	#142
Morthoron Curmudgeonly Wordwraith Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ensconced in curmudgeonly pursuits Posts: 2,508	Good Lord, there are five on currently: Qo8syUbhz, Ua9fxEjtp, Uo9deQpjv, z3w9z5o421 and Ed4gyQdav. This is ridiculous. __________________ 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.

05-11-2015, 02:21 PM	#144
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,037	Since the Maggot-folk of Cyberspace have not ceased their invasion attempts, take THIS!! __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.

07-25-2015, 03:05 AM	#147
Belegorn Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Henneth Annûn, Ithilien Posts: 462	The shadows (5) creep again.... __________________ "For believe me: the secret for harvesting from existence the greatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment is - to live dangerously!" - G.S.; F. Nietzsche