Question Why are we seeing a spike in Spam post?

song_hm · 12-07-2008, 12:37 PM

Is it just my paranoia, or are we getting a lot of spam post lately?

Is there a way to avoid this? Perhaps all new members should be vetted by admin first? For example, baoerji9527 is all over the net spamming UGS boot, just do a google search with that name and you will see this guy banned from may forums.

Adam · 12-07-2008, 01:04 PM

You're right- it seems like there are many spam bots going around at the moment

We do have an automated spam filter in place right now, but I may need to incoroporate a registration filter, or something similar, as well.

A system supplemental to the image verification may also be put in place to prevent spam.

stevebrot · 12-07-2008, 03:47 PM

Originally posted by Adam

You're right- it seems like there are many spam bots going around at the moment

We do have an automated spam filter in place right now, but I may need to incoroporate a registration filter, or something similar, as well.

A system supplemental to the image verification may also be put in place to prevent spam.

I just looked again at the registration sequence and the CAPTCHA you are using is pretty weak. Was it included with the forum software? If so, the image algorithm may be well known and easier than most to crack. Having said that, even a good CAPTCHA can be cracked after a fairly short amount of time. For registration purposes, once is enough.

A few years ago, I wrote a CAPTCHA for the dot-com I was working for at the time. The intent was to prevent data harvesting from certain publicly exposed resources. For the most part, the effort was successful. Interestingly, after a few weeks we noticed a strange activity pattern where the CAPTCHA image resource was being requested outside the expected user path. Something was trying to find patterns to crack the CAPTCHA. This kind of thing would happen in bursts with most of the requests coming from a particular .edu domain. The hits would come at approximately 20 second intervals for about an hour or so and end with a successful return of the protected resource. I flatter myself in thinking that our gatekeeper may have been used as an assignment for an upper division AI computer class.

Have you considered requiring the CAPTCHA for posting as well?

Steve

jct us101 · 12-07-2008, 04:32 PM

It happens on all forums. The CAPTCHA is only smarter than them for so long before they can figure out how to bypass the algorithms in it.

jct us101 · 12-07-2008, 04:33 PM

I suggest putting one of those "Are you human" questions on the registration page. Those usually get rid of most of the spammers.

JCSullivan · 12-08-2008, 06:49 AM

I ran a phpBB forum and the way I solved ALL spam was to reuire a particular word to be entered - not one piece of spam made it thru ever again.

magnum1 · 12-08-2008, 10:19 AM

Somebody had to.............. right?

Last edited by magnum1; 12-08-2008 at 10:20 AM. Reason: That little voice told me to.

Tom S. · 12-08-2008, 10:32 AM

It's not just here - I've seen an increase on other sites as well.

JCSullivan · 12-08-2008, 10:47 AM

@Magnum

According to the news yesterday, this company is now going 24-7. Economic conditions is having people turn to their product in unprecedented numbers.

magnum1 · 12-09-2008, 12:41 PM

Originally posted by JCSullivan

@Magnum

According to the news yesterday, this company is now going 24-7. Economic conditions is having people turn to their product in unprecedented numbers.

That reminds me. I need to go shopping.

12-07-2008, 12:37 PM	#1
song_hm Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 797	Why are we seeing a spike in Spam post? Is it just my paranoia, or are we getting a lot of spam post lately? Is there a way to avoid this? Perhaps all new members should be vetted by admin first? For example, baoerji9527 is all over the net spamming UGS boot, just do a google search with that name and you will see this guy banned from may forums.

12-07-2008, 01:04 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	You're right- it seems like there are many spam bots going around at the moment We do have an automated spam filter in place right now, but I may need to incoroporate a registration filter, or something similar, as well. A system supplemental to the image verification may also be put in place to prevent spam. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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12-07-2008, 03:47 PM	#3
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Adam You're right- it seems like there are many spam bots going around at the moment We do have an automated spam filter in place right now, but I may need to incoroporate a registration filter, or something similar, as well. A system supplemental to the image verification may also be put in place to prevent spam. I just looked again at the registration sequence and the CAPTCHA you are using is pretty weak. Was it included with the forum software? If so, the image algorithm may be well known and easier than most to crack. Having said that, even a good CAPTCHA can be cracked after a fairly short amount of time. For registration purposes, once is enough. A few years ago, I wrote a CAPTCHA for the dot-com I was working for at the time. The intent was to prevent data harvesting from certain publicly exposed resources. For the most part, the effort was successful. Interestingly, after a few weeks we noticed a strange activity pattern where the CAPTCHA image resource was being requested outside the expected user path. Something was trying to find patterns to crack the CAPTCHA. This kind of thing would happen in bursts with most of the requests coming from a particular .edu domain. The hits would come at approximately 20 second intervals for about an hour or so and end with a successful return of the protected resource. I flatter myself in thinking that our gatekeeper may have been used as an assignment for an upper division AI computer class. Have you considered requiring the CAPTCHA for posting as well? Steve

12-07-2008, 04:32 PM	#4
jct us101 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 3,793	It happens on all forums. The CAPTCHA is only smarter than them for so long before they can figure out how to bypass the algorithms in it.

12-07-2008, 04:33 PM	#5
jct us101 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 3,793	I suggest putting one of those "Are you human" questions on the registration page. Those usually get rid of most of the spammers.

12-08-2008, 06:49 AM	#6
JCSullivan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Windsor, Canada Posts: 3,056	I ran a phpBB forum and the way I solved ALL spam was to reuire a particular word to be entered - not one piece of spam made it thru ever again.

12-08-2008, 10:19 AM	#7
magnum1 Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Niagara, Wisconsin U.S. of Ay. Posts: 394	Somebody had to.............. right? Last edited by magnum1; 12-08-2008 at 10:20 AM. Reason: That little voice told me to.

12-08-2008, 10:32 AM	#8
Tom S. Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 4,317	It's not just here - I've seen an increase on other sites as well.

12-08-2008, 10:47 AM	#9
JCSullivan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Windsor, Canada Posts: 3,056	@Magnum According to the news yesterday, this company is now going 24-7. Economic conditions is having people turn to their product in unprecedented numbers.

12-09-2008, 12:41 PM	#10
magnum1 Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Niagara, Wisconsin U.S. of Ay. Posts: 394	Originally posted by JCSullivan @Magnum According to the news yesterday, this company is now going 24-7. Economic conditions is having people turn to their product in unprecedented numbers. That reminds me. I need to go shopping.