How do we stop them? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Legate of Amon Lanc · 11-22-2011, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

Question to all of you (I want to find the degree of my craziness): does someone else also sometimes click on the name of the "newest member" to see whether they have been banned already?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitchwife

Yes.

Haha, you two are funny.

(Now for some reason what I just wrote struck me as something Lommy would write.

)

Galadriel55 · 06-27-2012, 08:20 PM

Oh for goodness sake!... There has been a spammer here for the past few days, reusing its* name, but putting a different number after it every time. It's up to 5 already.

I don't remember how many times I've reported it already, and I'm afraid to think how many more there would have to be.

I am sort of wondering, though, did all those spammers actually watch/read LOTR or did the research to find out the new anti-spam code?

*No, they don't deserve a gender, or recognition that they are in fact people -- in my books they aren't, not until they start acting as such.

Inziladun · 06-27-2012, 08:34 PM

Reusing names is old hat for these cretins.

I doubt they bother to do any "research" about Tolkien or LOTR. At the most they might paraphrase or copy/paste from a legitimate post.

As for the anti-spam word-type requirement, I would think all it takes to get by that (or for that matter, a CAPTCHA), is a live person behind the spam instead of an automated program.
IP bans can be an avenue, but there are certainly ways around that too.

What they don't get is that they're wasting their efforts posting on this forum. The caliber of the intellect here is far too great to click on any of their worthless links.

***The Barrow-Wight*** · 06-27-2012, 08:36 PM

I'd change the anti-spam question again, but it's quicker and easier to just delete the spammer.

If you think this is bad, wait until The Hobbit is released. It's gonna get crazy.

Inziladun · 06-27-2012, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Barrow-Wight

If you think this is bad, wait until The Hobbit is released. It's gonna get crazy.

Oh yes. I think the main reason this forum is targeted is its high level of activity. The next movie ought to really ramp things up.

Legate of Amon Lanc · 06-28-2012, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

Oh for goodness sake!... There has been a spammer here for the past few days, reusing its* name, but putting a different number after it every time. It's up to 5 already.

I don't remember how many times I've reported it already, and I'm afraid to think how many more there would have to be.

Indeed! Imagine a spambot who would keep coming back again and again, using a new number after its name each time, for like, for example fifty-four times... these spambots are the worst, before you know it, they get over 4000 posts and you might actually start believing they are genuine people...

Morthoron · 06-28-2012, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

Indeed! Imagine a spambot who would keep coming back again and again, using a new number after its name each time, for like, for example fifty-four times... these spambots are the worst, before you know it, they get over 4000 posts and you might actually start believing they are genuine people...

The delineation between spammer and real poster on this site is usually pretty clear-cut; however, on some sites I've been to, one can almost appreciate the sentience of spammers over the puerility of posts made by some allegedly "real" people.

Galadriel55 · 06-28-2012, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

Indeed! Imagine a spambot who would keep coming back again and again, using a new number after its name each time, for like, for example fifty-four times... these spambots are the worst, before you know it, they get over 4000 posts and you might actually start believing they are genuine people...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morthoron

The delineation between spammer and real poster on site is usually pretty clear-cut; however, on some sites I've been to, one can almost appreciate the sentience of spammers over the puerility of posts made by some allegedly "real" people.

That's horrible!

(The other sites, I mean; it's terrific that the Downs is different)

Nerwen · 06-29-2012, 05:19 AM

I have to say, Morth, I've gone so far as to report a real person as a bot-suspect even here. More than once, I think.

Inziladun · 06-29-2012, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nerwen

I have to say, Morth, I've gone so far as to report a real person as a bot-suspect even here. More than once, I think.

I'm probably guilty of that myself. But when it looks like a spammer, and writes like a spammer....

Inziladun · 11-20-2014, 09:44 PM

Within the past few weeks, I've seen a veritable explosion of random-looking User Names popping up as new members. I refuse to believe they all have innocent intentions.
At this moment, there are nine registering. Nazgûl!!

06-27-2012, 08:20 PM	#2
Galadriel55 Blossom of Dwimordene Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The realm of forgotten words Posts: 10,493	Oh for goodness sake!... There has been a spammer here for the past few days, reusing its* name, but putting a different number after it every time. It's up to 5 already. I don't remember how many times I've reported it already, and I'm afraid to think how many more there would have to be. I am sort of wondering, though, did all those spammers actually watch/read LOTR or did the research to find out the new anti-spam code? No, they don't deserve a gender, or recognition that they are in fact people -- in my books they aren't, not until they start acting as such. __________________ You passed from under darkened dome, you enter now the secret land. - Take me to Finrod's fabled home!...* ~ Finrod: The Rock Opera

06-27-2012, 08:34 PM	#3
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,039	Reusing names is old hat for these cretins. I doubt they bother to do any "research" about Tolkien or LOTR. At the most they might paraphrase or copy/paste from a legitimate post. As for the anti-spam word-type requirement, I would think all it takes to get by that (or for that matter, a CAPTCHA), is a live person behind the spam instead of an automated program. IP bans can be an avenue, but there are certainly ways around that too. What they don't get is that they're wasting their efforts posting on this forum. The caliber of the intellect here is far too great to click on any of their worthless links. __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.

06-27-2012, 08:36 PM	#4
*The Barrow-Wight* Night In Wight Satin Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 4,043	spam-a-lot I'd change the anti-spam question again, but it's quicker and easier to just delete the spammer. If you think this is bad, wait until The Hobbit is released. It's gonna get crazy. __________________ The Barrow-Wight

06-29-2012, 05:19 AM	#9
Nerwen Wisest of the Noldor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ˙˙˙ssɐןƃ ƃuıʞooן ǝɥʇ ɥƃnoɹɥʇ Posts: 6,694	I have to say, Morth, I've gone so far as to report a real person as a bot-suspect even here. More than once, I think. __________________ "Even Nerwen wasn't evil in the beginning." –Elmo.

11-20-2014, 09:44 PM	#11
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,039	Within the past few weeks, I've seen a veritable explosion of random-looking User Names popping up as new members. I refuse to believe they all have innocent intentions. At this moment, there are nine registering. Nazgûl!! __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.

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