Cheerio SPAM!

[TractorBoys]

It's been quite a big issue in recent weeks so figured I'd create a thread confirming we've now added several safety checks to dramatically reduce the levels of spam we receive. New members are now unable to post links of any kind, and if they do so they will be greeted with the error below:

The limits required before a user can post links can be tweaked at any time.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Fantastic news! Great work mate

 

[JJH]

Nice one mate!

Makes my duty much easier as well

 

[Cheese & Biscuits]

I'd rather read the spam than a countdown to the 100,000th post.

 

[JaseTheVillain]

Leave my countdown alone!

 

[Cheese & Biscuits]

3












2










1










NO!

 

[Veggie Legs]

Good work TB, but it looks like one slipped through the net. http://www.onefootballforum.co.uk/i...ली-most-girl-vashikaran-in-latvia-dubai.5047/

 

[TractorBoys]

They've removed the links.

Can you do it so that it blocks any text which includes "+91-9608"!

Just to confirm, is was simply text?

Also, how many threads this morning?

TB

 

[Luke Imp]

Not sure it's working quite right because I can still see smat's posts on the FM Career thread.

 

[TractorBoys]

Thanks, I'll monitor it over the next few days and add any phrases possible to the banned list.

Realistically, we're never going to get rid of 100% of spam signups especially if the bots are dropping the links when they hit the error message.

If we can minimise it to a handful daily, happy days.

TB

 

[Whitechapel]

How many legit sign-ups do we get a day?

 

[TractorBoys]

About 125 a month judging from March 17-April 17 stats.

TB

 

[StagsForLife]

About 4 a day then.

 

[Rammy]

They're moving to the blogs it seems, as it allows links in there. Just banned a spammer, who tried to sell fake passports.

 

[Veggie Legs]

Different type of spammer here. I don't even understand what the purpose of this is.

http://www.onefootballforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/last-man-standing.1245/page-5#post-109726

 

[Saddlerrad]

Binned him, thanks mate.

 

[TomPNE94]

17 threads deleted this morning from the moderation bit.

 

[TractorBoys]

Had they been caught by the system, therefore only showing to staff? That's the secondary safeguard so good to see that's working.

I've added passport to the filters. I'm going to purchase an advanced image captcha later today - the type which shows an image of an animal for example and asks the user to state what it is.

TB

 

[TractorBoys]

We now have 5 custom image captchas which rotate - one example can be seen below. Rave reviews for this plugin so lets hope it further decreases the amount that slips through the net.

TB

 

[The Hand of Dom]

McDonalds.

 

[TractorBoys]

We've blocked 104 attempts via incorrect answers of the IMGcaptcha since we implemented it this time yesterday.

I think it's working.

 

[JonBCFC]

We've blocked 104 attempts via incorrect answers of the IMGcaptcha since we implemented it this time yesterday.

I think it's working.

Good news, hopefully it keeps them out.

Haven't noticed any spam in the mornings for a few days now

 

[Saddlerrad]

In fairness, you can never absolutely 100% compeltely eradicate spam, it will always find different ways of breaching defence systems, however, I think if we can minimalise it and try to keep as much of it out as possible, then that will be good.

 

[SUTSS]

I miss the spam

 

[markwwfc1992]

Forgive me for my lack of computer knowledge, but why does this sort of spam exist? Is it to try and advertise certain websites, to give you a virus, or maybe something else?

 

[Saddlerrad]

Forgive me for my lack of computer knowledge, but why does this sort of spam exist? Is it to try and advertise certain websites, to give you a virus, or maybe something else?

As far as I'm aware it's automated software that people/owners use to spread links and gain traffic/back links/clicks into whatever it is they want to spread. Annoying either way! Glad this had reduced it big time.

 

[TractorBoys]

As far as I'm aware it's automated software that people/owners use to spread links and gain traffic/back links/clicks into whatever it is they want to spread. Annoying either way! Glad this had reduced it big time.

DING DING DING - TOP ANSWER.

Rewind 5 years and automated spam via profile links and forum posts (through the likes of XRumer) was a surefire way to hit the top of Google when done on mass. Google have since devalued these links types- but like anything in the SEO industry most people are still persisting with outdated techniques (some still see success, but it'c certainly not the norm).

TB