in the shell

Is it me or ... that's the second thread in a row that looks like spam ?

Yes, but its a new breed of tricky spam

So now you have to have 2, instead of the 1 minute, of interent expeirence not to fall victim.

Seriously, this is weird. I don't know why this forum is being targeted. Its so small.

That may be why we're being targeted. Get im small and raise im to be spanmming.

I think the admins should specify in the robots.txt that only "real" bots (like google, yahoo...) should be allowed to crawl in the directory. I think it should help

I've already PMed jeff about this. I'd like to lock this topic now since there really isn't much to say. BBS that use this particular format often get targeted since there's no "prove you're a human" function to sign up here.

The reason I haven't been deleting topics is because I've been trying to use them as "proof" when I PM Jeff. He hasn't gotten back to me yet, and since only admins can issue bans, the only thing I can do is let him take care of it.

Sorry about the reply, I thought it helped to give the warning right away, in case someone actually wanted to click that link.

I also want to apologize for replying.

It's no problem really. Just know that this will be taken care of as soon as I can get Jeff to deal with it.

As soon as I see these topics I'll either lock them or delete them. I think if Jeff comes back he'll get the idea.

If anyone else has ideas for what I should do with these spam topics let me know as I'm kinda new at this moderator stuff.

Jeni Nielsen wrote:I've already PMed jeff about this. I'd like to lock this topic now since there really isn't much to say. BBS that use this particular format often get targeted since there's no "prove you're a human" function to sign up here.

Well, actually, this option is available in phpBB (I'm administring one myself) : in the "Administration panel", in the "General Admin" tab, click on "Configuration" and you'll have the option to choose "Enable Visual Confirmation".

That should help.

Jeni Nielsen wrote:If anyone else has ideas for what I should do with these spam topics let me know as I'm kinda new at this moderator stuff.

I guess you should delete them, but there's gonna be more and more everyday

THYREN wrote:

Jeni Nielsen wrote:I've already PMed jeff about this. I'd like to lock this topic now since there really isn't much to say. BBS that use this particular format often get targeted since there's no "prove you're a human" function to sign up here.

Well, actually, this option is available in phpBB (I'm administring one myself) : in the "Administration panel", in the "General Admin" tab, click on "Configuration" and you'll have the option to choose "Enable Visual Confirmation".

That should help.

Ah thanks I'll let Jeff know.

I guess you should delete them, but there's gonna be more and more everyday

I know! It sucks. I'm going to email Jeff if he doesn't respond to me in the next day or so.
Thanks for the suggestion.

Eh Jeni ! You're spamming too ! (just kidding )

I double posted by mistake. So sue me.

Hi all!

I already have the "visual confirmation" set to "on" (because I thought that would stop spam!!!). I've now changed one other setting having to do with user registration, but if that doesn't work ... well, if anyone has any ideas, I'm open to them.

I'll check the robots.txt as well ... Thanks for the suggestion, Thyren!

Jeff

OK, so now I've changed the Account Activation setting to "User." Not sure why that would have anything to do with the "Visual Confirmation" setting, but, hey, whatever works. If it does.

I've tried to create a user account without typing the confirmation number, and indeed you cannot create an account without it.

There is, of course, nothing to stop humans from registering and then spamming, other than banning them after the fact.

Grrrrr!

Jeff

Jeff Georgeson wrote:There is, of course, nothing to stop humans from registering and then spamming, other than banning them after the fact.

Grrrrr!

Jeff

It's funny. The same bot was spamming another PhBB I go to. Anyhow I'm here to be the one who deletes spammy posts. it's my job and I'm happy to do it. Now go have some chicken soup and feel better! OR ELSE.