Spambots

[Noitora]

The past weeks gbatemp has been full of spambots, some time before gbatemp was spambot free, how come the place is full of them now? New spambots register almost daily...what the heck?

 

[PettingZoo]

That would just be gay, for example if you go on a vacation.
Just add captchas for posting - that would help a lot.

I meant if they have little posts, haven't said something about a vacation or absense, and they would just apply to get their permissions back. Also what is captchas?

 

[UltraMagnus]

Also many of these aren't spam bots, but actual people paid to post advertising spam as well. Also the spam bots we see are targeted spam bots to spam on GBAtemp alone, not some random spam bot. Remember folks, before you can register, you have to type in "There are no ROMs here" and such which means the spam bots we see were specifically programmed to enter that phrase when they register. At any rate, the Spam bot problem should be fixed soon.

narin has a point, these "bots" are probably not bots at all, but Chinese/Mexican/[insert other place where wage is low] people paid to spam

 

[iamtheWalrus]

One quick question: Has anyone here ever seen a spambot PM someone?

What be real easy if after joining they have to PM a set moderator that's really just a bot that activates posting abilities. In the PM they'd have to type some phrase they got in their email.

I agree with that one.

Anyone else?

 

[p1ngpong]

Thing is its like Narin said, many of these bots are real people and bots specifically made to target the forum, so if thats the case theres no way to stop them really.

 

[Tozarian]

I agree with the proper introduction idea, If the introduction obviously doesnt have anything to do with GBA, DS, etc. then the user should be banned. Another question, how do you ban these bots? Do you just ban the username? Or do you ban the I.P? Or both?

Off topic: Hadrian Uranium has over 9000 posts.

 

[UltraMagnus]

nah, we should just require all new users to compose a haiku about how they won't request roms and PM it to a moderator before being allowed to post. maybe it will stop n00bs requesting roms too....

 

[alex]

nah, we should just require all new users to compose a haiku about how they won't request roms and PM it to a moderator before being allowed to post. maybe it will stop n00bs requesting roms too....

There is that thing at sign-up. But it doesn't help at all. It says that you will not ask for ROMs, and you have to type it in(or copy&paste for lazy people)to register. Pretty shocking that people still ask.

TozarianI agree with the proper introduction idea, If the introduction obviously doesnt have anything to do with GBA, DS, etc. then the user should be banned.

That wouldn't really be a good idea. Some people are simple and just say "Hi!" in their introduction topics.(And some don't even make one until their 1000th post. *raises hand*)

Maybe a certain amount of posts before you can post a link? They won't be able to link to their website, and not advertising. Maybe even no signature until that amount of posts. It should be small though, like 5 posts. That may cause SPAM, but then of course someone could report it, and the person could be targeted. Banning their IP.

 

[Psyfira]

Also what is captchas?

It's something that requires you to copy a few randomly generated letters into a box before it will let you proceed. You've probably had to use one on other sites without knowing what they're called. They often come as a generated picture with letters hidden in it, designed to be difficult for a computer to interpret.

And it's a rather good idea, if it's possible to use it on this forum software. People may find it annoying at first, but they'll get used to it.

 

[strata8]

What about reCaptcha? Is it more secure than normal verification methods/captchas?

 

[Firedrake1]

There is no system that will completely stop "bots" if its actually a person sitting and spamming. Maybe we should just be happy that all our security is giving jobs to people instead of letting them be automated. kidding, but just trying to bring some chuckles to a board issue that is starting to really annoy me too.

 

[mcjones92]

They could do what the Nintendo forums used to do, make a forum for new members and they can only post in that specific forum until they have been a member for 3 days and have a few posts. Then after that they can wonder around the other forums.

 

[Overlord Nadrian]

They could do what the Nintendo forums used to do, make a forum for new members and they can only post in that specific forum until they have been a member for 3 days and have a few posts. Then after that they can wonder around the other forums.

Oh, those good old days... I'd really want to have their forums back.