Read in the past about the limitation of this platform and the owner don't want to change it, I can appreciate that. If adding captcha or other methods to limit spammers is not an option. I thought maybe blocking hyperlinks for new members until they get 5 posts etc could gazamp the robots? 5 post hurdle shouldn't really limit or hinder new members too much either. Ps the hurdle could be two?
For some reason the significant majority seem to be from Outlook.com email addresses. I'll also suggest adding in something amusing to your reporting comments to brighten up the deletion process
Without knowing what is available in the control panel.... Checking if any limitation control area viable could be start, which can be automated. Automation would be preferable for the admin and moderators, just deleting the accounts itself I'd presume is a chore. Even if the controls weren't designed for spam control, maybe there is something there, that in combination could help the situation. Like 1. blocking outlook.com and asking them to use any other email address. I could be wrong but surely outlook.com is not that popular? If true outlook.com must be allowing thousands of emails from single ip not something gmail, iCloud, hotmail and msn allow. 2. forcing a post from a newbie new comer must post in new section before full functionality. A bold notice at sign up should minimise consuming humans signup. 3. Not allowing links in first few posts. 1 could be temporary, 2 and 3 if can be automated should help minimise spammers?
This spams ridonkulous.... I agree, first 10 posts should be followed by a Captcha or a security key of some sort as mentioned.
We've got some technical limitations on blocking spam that are related to mitigation against a huge DDOS attack the forum experienced a few years ago that pointed all Chinese BitTorrent traffic at the server :/ The software is in need of a revamp which will come with new spam fighting / prevention tools, but it's a matter of having the time to execute a full migration of the forum. I'm looking at my calendar now.
if it was simple check box tick and reboot I'm sure it would have been done by now. Making big changes and or version updates remotely is not done lightly. Especially for forums like this that has been around for while which might be running older versions requiring fair few updates. Most important hosting and bandwidth cost money
I report a lot of Spam threads but don't reply on the thread that I reported it. I read somewhere (forget where maybe the FAQ) not to reply back to the thread to help clean up. Can a mod or someone to answer two questions I have: 1. Should I just reply back on the thread instead of wasting another members time in reporting this? 2. Also if one does keep replying reported on the thread are these replies kept on the persons post count or are they wiped when the thread is taken down. As I'm sure not many people want their windbag index going through the roof lol.
I wouldn't have thought of that. When I 'report' spam threads, there was never any thought, that I am increasing my post count. I would also think, that when the spam thread is removed, so too would the reporter's additional post count. If you don't make the additional post to say 'reported' ( single word is all that is required ), then nobody else will know, and additional 'reports' will come through for the Mod. to delete.
I have now tried this, and even if the thread is deleted your post count still goes up. i.e. more windbag index
I am working on a new release of SS. Better to keep the efforts focused on that than to spend time plugging holes in this ancient software. In the meantime forum registrations remain turned off for periods to discourage the spambots - looks like they noticed registrations were re-enabled a little while ago.
