OurWorkbench

It does seem more prevalent lately. In particular, the last couple of weeks where they post five at once and basically a repeat of previous.

Actually, it is the moderators that delete and ban, not the admins. When a post is reported by using the red triangle with the exclamation point inside, it goes to all the moderators.

Sure wish they could prevent them from registering in the first place.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Stitchnripper

I wasn’t complaining. I was just noticing.

Quiltwoman44

Oh I so want to reply "Yes, Vanessa it does"!!!!!! but that would be enabling, right?

OurWorkbench

I'm surprised vbulletin doesn't have a way to stop or at least slow spambots. I noticed one spammer recently had posted the same on several sites and all but one was "powered by VBulletin" Granted the majority had been banned and deleted. It seems like there should be a way to prevent a lot of them from even registering, let alone posting.

Since it has been so long since I registered, I don't know if there is a captcha or something called a "honeypot" that catches some. I find it kind of frustrating to do a search within QB when I'm not signed that I have to do a captcha. Although, I usually like to do google searches for some things as it will take me to the page of long threads, rather than the result within QB, just gives the thread.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

IceLeopard

vBulletin can definitely be set to prevent links from new members, and the number of necessary posts can be set by the admins. I've seen anywhere from 5 to 50. It can also set moderator approval of new members. This keeps spammers from posting random messages to make their count. Things like "Hi, how are you?" and nothing else.

Some spammers will take lines or entire posts from the site to make it look relevant. I saw one once that made it clear that it was random. They'd copied one that was fairly recent and had quite memorable details, something that was highly unlikely to be duplicated by an actual new user. Something like "We were supposed to go on vacation to Disneyland [more details about why this choice and how the kids were all excited] and then my husband [details about husband doing handyman work] fell off the roof and broke both legs. And then my MIL said since he couldn't go anyway she should go in his place and I said not only no but heck no!"

OurWorkbench

Thank you, IceLeopard. for the insight, on this thread and inappropriate messages from AU How absolutely frustrating it must be at times

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

mkc

For the last few months, there have been bot attacks on many forums. Those who implement smart things like sign-up challenge questions that change every so often, putting all new members on moderation for a certain number of posts, preventing signature lines (spammers like to use these) for a certain number of posts are the tools being used by smart forums to block this activity.

These spammers aren't people, per se, they are automated bots that are flooding forums with crap. Blocking each user is useless - preventing the bots from ever registering or posting is key. Right now, several forums I frequent are useless due to thousands of bot spam posts. Others haven't allowed a single one to leak through, because they implemented proper blocking.

ptquilts

Could be as simple as not allowing new posters to post working links.

You can tell it's bots, If it was a human with connected brain cells, they would be offering a new fancy sewing machine giveaway instead of a car!!

patricej

i really resent that remark.
we are seriously outnumbered by the filthy rats who post the garbage.
also, not enough of you have bothered to read the FAQ or you'd know the most efficient ways to report things.

i am not ignoring you.
i have been watching this thread and making note of some of the suggestions.

Stitchnripper

did you see my next comment where I said I wasn’t complaining but noticing? It’s better if we are nice to each other. Am not a frequent poster lately so don’t always report especially when it looks like others have.