SPAM on the forum?

[ILFE]

Although this thread is probably spam, ...

I wasn't going to say anything about it until I read the above quoted post. But, yesterday, I reported three, maybe four new posts, each of which were obviously SPAM.

So, I thought I would make a suggestion to the powers that be, if you are interested anyway. As a long time forum software license owner, I have zero SPAM on my site. (I ran phpBB in my early days, later converting to IPB for all forums.)

1. Firstly, I am not sure if you are familiar with Stop Forum SPAM. But, they offer mods for popular forum softwares (certainly vBulletin is included in that list), which links your forum to the SFS database. I have found this to be very helpful, especially as the database grows and more forum owners join their ranks. My SFS mod has blocked thousands of SPAMbots, each by known SPAM IP and / or SPAMMING email addresses. Confidence increases with every forum they attempt to join. (See my attached stats for 2013, below, for one of my forums.) Check out the Stop Forum Spam site for further information.
2. Secondly, I have, for years, placed all new members in a restricted User Group first, which prevents them from posting without moderation (first x posts you decide). It also prevents them from sending and receiving PMs to any members other than staff. Once they have successfully posted x number of times, their accounts are automatically moved into a different user group, thereby granting them full access to the forum and its features.
3. Thirdly, many IP addresses are blocked at the server before they ever get to the site to join. I receive email notifications of them being blocked, 24 hours per day.
4. Fourthly, the above actions keep 100% of all SPAM off my forum sites. In fact, I do not recall the last SPAMMER who got through the settings I have for my servers and the sites. The long term members are happy too, because they don't have anyone soliciting them through the forum.

stop_forum_spam.jpg

Anyway, I hope my suggestions are helpful to you.

[Mike90250]

my vote to our overlords, is "we have to do something"

[ILFE]

With all the available options (mods / hacks) for IPB, I am quite sure vBulletin would have the same, or similar ones available for their software.

[ILFE]

I reported 8 posts within the past 10 minutes or so. You guys aren't tired of seeing that on the site, yet? It would be so simple to dispose of it where it never sees the light of day on this forum.

[russ]

I reported 8 posts within the past 10 minutes or so. You guys aren't tired of seeing that on the site, yet? It would be so simple to dispose of it where it never sees the light of day on this forum.

Send your comments in a PM to user name Jason - not on the forum. We have nothing to do with it.

[ILFE]

Thanks, Russ. I wasn't sure who the head honcho was around here. I haven't ever really had a need to contact him before.

Appreciate it.

[SunEagle]

Those spam posts are still coming in about every 2 minutes all from the same "person".

Would be nice to be able to zapped them and overload their computer.

[Mike90250]

I just deleted 20+ fake ID, a couple of fat burners and some other junk. Today has started out heavy.

[russ]

Those spam posts are still coming in about every 2 minutes all from the same "person".

Would be nice to be able to zapped them and overload their computer.

Occasionally there will be more than one from one person but usually each has a different web address - in all countries but centered on India and Pakistan.

I want a zap button like that for many things like: boom boxes, loud music from cars on the street, for fools driving wild and on and on.