Man a lot of advertisers, is there anything that can be done about this?

[Gregg Schaffter]

Well, it isn't like there are a million advertisers, but for the last two days that I just joined I sometimes get annoyed by advertisers even though advertising is against the rules. Is there some automation type system that could be made to prevent this? Just a question.

[spidergoat]

Well, it isn't like there are a million advertisers, but for the last two days that I just joined I sometimes get annoyed by advertisers even though advertising is against the rules. Is there some automation type system that could be made to prevent this? Just a question.

I don't see any, are you sure you're logged in?

[Gregg Schaffter]

How would not being logged in effect the topics in the forum? I am talking about posts from users who advertise random things using posts or topics.

EDIT: It could just be that I registered the day when advertisers began spamming the forum, I dunno.

[spidergoat]

How would not being logged in effect the topics in the forum? I am talking about posts from users who advertise random things using posts or topics.

EDIT: It could just be that I registered the day when advertisers began spamming the forum, I dunno.

Oh, yeah, the mods try to ban them as soon as they can, but it does happen.

[Stryder]

I'm trying to keep on top of most of them... However you have to remember it's like one guy (plus the mod's when they catch one I missed) versus about 200 spammers daily.

Seriously Underdogged... David Vs Goliath (as a mythological story not reality)

[Stryder]

Gregg here's a little more information,
You joined the forum just after a software update which the site dev's only partially configured, so we've got limited spammer protection which the spammers have been attempting to fully exploit. (In fact I've noticed on another site I set-up as an experiment some time back, that they actually decline in number when you tighten your defences against them because they have not advertising platform)

The site hierarchy is a little awkward in the sense that us humble moderators have limited permissions to be able to defeat the vial hordes of spammer defecate, However it's offer a little challenge and allowed me to hone my various skills on Spammer negotiation techniques and some sneaky tricks in anti-spammer techniques/data forensics, that I can't post publicly purely because I want to keep them guessing.

In any event hopefully we'll get the problem patched or we'll have to develop and alternative in-case we get swamped.

(Incidentally you were quite like you didn't get banned initially, not because I didn't like you, or thought you were a spammer, but it can be very hard to distinguish human from spambot, so it's a bit touch and go with who stays and who goes.)

[Gregg Schaffter]

Thanks for the information then. I will continue to report these spammers at all costs.

[Bells]

To put it bluntly, the moderators (*cough* Stryder *cough*) are currently spending more of their time banning advertising bots than we are posting.

While we appreciate if people do report posts if they spot them in threads, we are only able to receive reports for our own particular sub-forum. What his means is that a spammer can get off many posts before someone gets a report for their forum or they manage to spot them. Unfortunately, we do not have the time or ability to read every single post made in a given day to try and spot spammers.

However, the members can help us deal with this in the meantime, if they so choose.


One of the best tools we have in spotting spammers and advertisers are members.

Therefore, if members can just post a link to any advertisers they come across in threads (if you do not know how to link directly to the post, just provide us with the sub-forum, thread and post number), and post it in this thread in the meantime, it would be great.

This would only be a temporary measure until we are able to find a way to stop them spamming us like this.

[seagypsy]

To put it bluntly, the moderators (*cough* Stryder *cough*) are currently spending more of their time banning advertising bots than we are posting.

While we appreciate if people do report posts if they spot them in threads, we are only able to receive reports for our own particular sub-forum. What his means is that a spammer can get off many posts before someone gets a report for their forum or they manage to spot them. Unfortunately, we do not have the time or ability to read every single post made in a given day to try and spot spammers.

However, the members can help us deal with this in the meantime, if they so choose.


One of the best tools we have in spotting spammers and advertisers are members.

Therefore, if members can just post a link to any advertisers they come across in threads (if you do not know how to link directly to the post, just provide us with the sub-forum, thread and post number), and post it in this thread in the meantime, it would be great.

This would only be a temporary measure until we are able to find a way to stop them spamming us like this.

I was under the assumption that when we report a specific post with the little screaming triangle to the lower left of the post, that the report would have the post number and/or link to the post included with the report. Am I incorrect in my assumption? Because I do tend to report spammers but if I am not doing it correctly it is a waste of time I guess.

[Bells]

I was under the assumption that when we report a specific post with the little screaming triangle to the lower left of the post, that the report would have the post number and/or link to the post included with the report. Am I incorrect in my assumption? Because I do tend to report spammers but if I am not doing it correctly it is a waste of time I guess.

No, you were under the correct assumption.

My point was more about the fact that if a spammer posts something in, say, World Events, and someone reports it, only the moderator(s) of World Events will get the report (along with the administrators) in their email. So other moderators may not see it and the spammer remains in place to keep spamming in the meantime.

The one thing about this forum, where all moderators will moderate across the whole forum, is usually concerned with spammers.

I was just wondering if it would be possible for members to just provide links, nothing else, if and in the event they spot a spammer.

At present, few are even able to get a post off, since they are being banned before they can. However, the few that do slip through the tracks, this might make it an easier way to catch them instantly and ban them instantly (as opposed to reporting, which can take a while before the moderator gets around to it - check emails, log on, etc).

It was just a suggestion..

[seagypsy]

No, you were under the correct assumption.

My point was more about the fact that if a spammer posts something in, say, World Events, and someone reports it, only the moderator(s) of World Events will get the report (along with the administrators) in their email. So other moderators may not see it and the spammer remains in place to keep spamming in the meantime.

The one thing about this forum, where all moderators will moderate across the whole forum, is usually concerned with spammers.

I was just wondering if it would be possible for members to just provide links, nothing else, if and in the event they spot a spammer.

At present, few are even able to get a post off, since they are being banned before they can. However, the few that do slip through the tracks, this might make it an easier way to catch them instantly and ban them instantly (as opposed to reporting, which can take a while before the moderator gets around to it - check emails, log on, etc).

It was just a suggestion..

Seems a reasonable request to me. In the future I may just check the moderator list and see if any of them are showing online so I can send the links you request to whoever is currently available.

[Bells]

Or you can just post the link in this thread, for example, for all moderators to see. So it's just one post kind of thing, instead of checking for who is online, etc. Makes it easier for the members.

Some do slip through.

And I have to say, Stryder, you are a machine and this forum would be flooded if it wasn't for you...

Once this is gotten under control, you may or may not be curled in the corner, but you will have earned a well deserved break.

[Gregg Schaffter]

Again thanks for the help. I just don't want this good forum going to waste due to spammers.

[James R]

Hitting the "report post" button on posts should be enough to draw the attention of the moderators. All admins (i.e. mainly me, since I'm the only one regularly online) and supermods (Tiassa and Stryder) see all reported posts. Moderators of individual forums will see reports relating to their forums.

At the moment we're being deluged with spam. We have a small(ish) moderator group, so spam might remain for a while before we get to it. Usually it will only be there for a few hours at the most.

I'm hoping we can implement a few more measures to reduce spam in the near future.

In the meantime, please do hit the "report post" button, because this guarantees that the spam will be dealt with.

Oh, and I should add that when you report a post, the report the admins/mods get automatically includes a link to the reported post and the thread it is in, along with your comments.

[seagypsy]

here is a new spam thread. posting link here per Bells request. http://www.sciforums.com/showthread....91#post2971791

They are peddling a dating site.

[seagypsy]

and here's another. I have no idea what this guy is peddling, its not in English. http://www.sciforums.com/showthread....337-Way-to-man

[seagypsy]

Three more, all from the same poster. This is starting to feel like a video game.

http://www.sciforums.com/showthread....-Zovirax-cream
http://www.sciforums.com/showthread....rimidos-200-mg
http://www.sciforums.com/showthread....virax-ointment

[seagypsy]

This is a diablo 3 peddler invading a legit thread. Post #7 http://www.sciforums.com/showthread....ch-Of-Security

[Bells]

Thank you very much seagypsy. They have been banned. Just waiting for the mods/admin of those forums to now delete their posts.

And it seems that clicking the report button is the preferred method by my colleagues. So back to that I guess.

But thank you. Much appreciate it.

[seagypsy]

LOL ok, will do. Was starting to wonder if I was going to get annoying with this. I was starting to feel my OCD kicking in. But at least I have a slight hint of what a mess you guys have on your hands and I only spotted a handful of spammers. Your keyboards must be smokin. Keep up the good work!