Combatting spam

[sunrunner_pei]

As many have noticed, we have had a real fight with spammers on the forums lately. We have done all we can with regards to blocking IPs and email domains. The spammers newest trick is to register then send emails to our membership using the forum's email features. It's time for a more aggressive approach.

Effective immediatly, all new accounts must be verified by us before being allowed to post. This may mean a delay between when you register/verify your account and when you can post, but due to the amount of spam, this is needed.

In addition, we have disabled the forum's email system. You can still set up topic notifications and use the 'email to friend' feature, but there is no longer a mechanism for emailing members directly.

We apologise for these changes, but I'm sure you can all appreciate the work we're doing to minimize spam.

Please, if you see spam posted to the forums, or receive a spam email fromthe forums, let me know at webmaster@gaownersclub.com Do not respond to the post or email, do not click on any of their links.

:nospam:

If, as a new member, you have registered and are unable to post, please send an email to register@gaownersclub.com and include your userid. We will activate your account ASAP.

[Ex0r]

why not incorporate a few features at registration? Is this custom made forum software? I could help with setting up some new security measures needed for members who join, to reduce the chances of an automated system being able to register successfully.

You can shoot me a PM or email me if you'd like more insight on some ideas.

[XoticGA]

Good job, Shawn!

This stuff has been gettin out of hand lately

Way to be proactive :bigok:

[Jessika]

Originally posted by Ex0r
why not incorporate a few features at registration? Is this custom made forum software? I could help with setting up some new security measures needed for members who join, to reduce the chances of an automated system being able to register successfully.

You can shoot me a PM or email me if you'd like more insight on some ideas.

No, it's powered by vbulletin




Have you thought of adding a script where it displays a random picture with random letters/numbers and you have to type it in to verify you are not a robot during registration?

[Ex0r]

Just that isn't sufficient anymore, as most all of them are able to be decrypted now. A couple of methods are going to have to be incorporated. I contacted Shawn about some ideas I have to help fight it!

[sunrunner_pei]

The image verification isn't available for this version of the forum software. And we already have every other precaution already been taken: requiring unique email addresses, known free proxy servers are blocked, email verification is enabled, and now we're manually verifying each new account. As well, we've disabled the forums email features.

There simply isn't much more we can do. Let's see how this goes before assuming it won't work. ;)

[Matt95GT]

Yea, although CAPTCHA's are a good idea, some are too weak. On top of that, I recently read an article about people in foreign countries being paid to type in CAPTCHA text all day for spamming purposes. :mad:

[Rayz]

Originally posted by Matt95GT
I recently read an article about people in foreign countries being paid to type in CAPTCHA text all day for spamming purposes. :mad: and you think your job blows :lol: