Who writes the code for this place?

[lyosha 46]

It's being overrun by spam bots and that's painful to see... maybe I can help?

[propblast 0]

Super painful

Propblast

[JohnnyBoulder 1]

While you are fixing things ... how about the ability to sort columns like date after doing a search in the Classifieds.

[Meso 38]

Hey,

The spam bot issue is a difficult one to escape, and we've looked at various alternatives before. We have the ability to ban users based on IP or username, as well as a couple of other methods.

These spammers get through the captcha (likely manual registration as opposed to auto). And they then use several proxies from completely different IP blocks to switch between their IPs. So while we can ban the user, they then register another account and use proxies again.

We do have ways at stemming this, but occasionally, especially when our staff are away for some reason - a few may get through. But our moderators are usually very quick to react and ban them throughout the forum.

The other options would be things like implementing a waiting period after registration before they'd be able to post. But that's not ideal.

If you have any ideas, feel free to PM me.

PS: With regards to the post about sorting the classifieds. It is something that we're going to implement in the future.

[Joellercoaster 6]

In the absence of moderators for whatever reason maybe a 'mark as spam' button that general users can click, with a threshold of (say) five to hide the thread and a penalty for misuse?

--
"I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan

"You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

[wolfriverjoe 1,340]

Meso

Hey,


...The other options would be things like implementing a waiting period after registration before they'd be able to post. But that's not ideal...

Why not? There's a three day waiting period to post in the classifieds, isn't there?
A similar three day waiting period to post (or maybe just to start threads) wouldn't be totally unreasonable.

The new guy would still be able to read the "member only" stuff (Bonfire, SC & Incidents) just not post.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[Joellercoaster 6]

That won't help.

The spam will just arrive three days later than it otherwise would have, and the volume will stay the same.

--
"I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan

"You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

[StreetScooby 5]

Quote

In the absence of moderators for whatever reason maybe a 'mark as spam' button...

As long as it doesn't apply in SC

We are all engines of karma

[ianyapxw 0]

No right, it means the spammers will have to write a different set of code.

I assume they are re-using the code again and again, and have it set to auto-post once registration is done, then forgetting about the account.

[Joellercoaster 6]

ianyapxw

No right, it means the spammers will have to write a different set of code.

The problem is that most of these ideas have been thought of, and this one is no exception. With the result that spambot software can and does take it into account, once it becomes profitable (that is, when enough sites do it).

Even CAPTCHAs are getting regularly defeated

You end up having to combine active and passive defence... human moderators are definitely necessary.

--
"I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan

"You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?