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Influx of spam posters/posts needs attention

Posted: 10:03 Tue 28 Mar 2017
by PhilW
Any admins around? Can we please clear out the growing number of new spammers from over the last few days who have been posting to old and new threads over the last few days, and delete their irrelevant posts? Thanks.

Re: Influx of spam posters/posts needs attention

Posted: 11:23 Tue 28 Mar 2017
by DRT
We are all trying to keep on top of it but they keep coming through the gate.

The registration process has been changed to see if that has any effect.

Re: Influx of spam posters/posts needs attention

Posted: 14:41 Tue 28 Mar 2017
by PhilW
Thanks Derek.

I don't know what controls are available; are there any additional mechanisms we could use to verify or report a user's initial post(s); either positively to mark as valid (then post as normal user) or invalid (probably spammer, make invisible, mark for attention of admin, prevent or invisble further posts until admin decides); or >50% of users posts marked as spam then ->invisble/admin, or anything along such lines?

I'm thinking primarily of anything that a normal user could help mark, to allow automated management where appropriate, rather then placing all the burden on the admin.

Re: Influx of spam posters/posts needs attention

Posted: 14:47 Tue 28 Mar 2017
by PhilW
Perhaps a "can't create a post with links (or text http: present)" until authorised or similar would also help; Probably not a current control in phpbb, but would make a useful check, since most spam is about posting links they want people to click.

Re: Influx of spam posters/posts needs attention

Posted: 14:53 Tue 28 Mar 2017
by PhilW
(FYI link. "No longer supported" but might also still work fine, or there might be equivalent out there or integrated in phpbb for all I know)

Re: Influx of spam posters/posts needs attention

Posted: 17:52 Tue 28 Mar 2017
by DRT
I have applied the setting whereby all new accounts need to be activated by an Admin. That sorts the problem until we find a stronger automated solution.

Re: Influx of spam posters/posts needs attention

Posted: 18:32 Tue 28 Mar 2017
by Old Bridge
Well done, and good riddance.

Re: Influx of spam posters/posts needs attention

Posted: 21:26 Wed 29 Mar 2017
by Doggett
Great work Derek. Your policing and maintenance is very much appreciated.

Re: Influx of spam posters/posts needs attention

Posted: 22:34 Wed 29 Mar 2017
by PhilW
Doggett wrote: 21:26 Wed 29 Mar 2017 Great work Derek. Your policing and maintenance is very much appreciated.
+1 (to Derek and all the team involved)

Re: Influx of spam posters/posts needs attention

Posted: 23:29 Wed 29 Mar 2017
by jdaw1
More than a dozen deleted this evening. Two remain — please could another admin decide whether hostile?

Re: Influx of spam posters/posts needs attention

Posted: 08:19 Thu 30 Mar 2017
by flash_uk
jdaw1 wrote: 23:29 Wed 29 Mar 2017 More than a dozen deleted this evening. Two remain — please could another admin decide whether hostile?
Is there an option to require a new member's first post approved before it gets released onto the board?

Re: Influx of spam posters/posts needs attention

Posted: 09:27 Thu 30 Mar 2017
by DRT
flash_uk wrote: 08:19 Thu 30 Mar 2017
jdaw1 wrote: 23:29 Wed 29 Mar 2017 More than a dozen deleted this evening. Two remain — please could another admin decide whether hostile?
Is there an option to require a new member's first post approved before it gets released onto the board?
There is that option but with the rate they are coming through it is easier to just lock the door and delete them before the registration process is completed.

Another dozen zapped this morning.

Re: Influx of spam posters/posts needs attention

Posted: 08:21 Fri 14 Apr 2017
by DRT
I think we have finally managed to implement a solution to this problem that appears to be working.

Well done and thanks to PhilW for finding the new bolt for the door :smile: