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PLEASE VERIFY NEW MEMBERS TO HELP AVOID SPAMMERS
Sun, 2014-03-23 21:16
#1
PLEASE VERIFY NEW MEMBERS TO HELP AVOID SPAMMERS
Sun, 2014-03-23 21:17
#2
Sorry to shout, but I and others have been suggesting this for years.
Just do it.
Thank you in advance, techies!
Sun, 2014-03-23 22:17
#3
Agreed...especially with this horrible fake passport creep who's just showed up and it spamming ALMOST EVERY FORUM AND THREAD!"
Christ on a false ID!
Sun, 2014-03-23 23:53
#4
Yup, likewise., There's no reason to not do it. Plenty of other sites (including enmasse) do. And it is hardly an imposition at all.
Mon, 2014-03-24 03:57
#5
Yup, likewise., There's no reason to not do it. Plenty of other sites (including enmasse) do. And it is hardly an imposition at all.
My understanding is that no one can actually join enmasse these days.
Mon, 2014-03-24 07:38
#6
Can they join one by one?
Mon, 2014-03-24 12:13
#7
Much of the spam gets posted by individuals joining up overnight, we can't always block them before they post, and often all we can do is clean up after them. Because these are individuals and not bots, it's not always possible to identify spammers until they actually post spam. It's not like they register with user names like "blockmeimaspammer" or "buy Nike", or "rolexseller", etc. all the time. It's a pain in the arse to have to wade through their trash, but trust me, it's a bigger pain in the arse to clean up after them and if there were some foolproof way we could keep them out, we'd have employed it long ago.
ETA For every spammer you see there are several you don't because Catchfire or I have headed them off at the pass. Of course, if rabble could find mods who did not require sleep or sustenance, you'd see even less spam.
Mon, 2014-03-24 12:20
#8
Yup, likewise., There's no reason to not do it. Plenty of other sites (including enmasse) do. And it is hardly an imposition at all.My understanding is that no one can actually join enmasse these days.
Yes, but my actual point was that it is a fairly standard and common system. Plenty of facebook groups, and plenty of boards use it.
Mon, 2014-03-24 12:45
#9
Yup, likewise., There's no reason to not do it. Plenty of other sites (including enmasse) do. And it is hardly an imposition at all.My understanding is that no one can actually join enmasse these days.
Yes, but my actual point was that it is a fairly standard and common system. Plenty of facebook groups, and plenty of boards use it.
Seeing as how this isn't a Facebook group or message board, but an online news journal with a discussion board, the needs of rabble are different. While at one time babble was the biggest draw for new and unique visitors, that is no longer the case. The vast majority of new users will never post in babble. Many sign up to comment on articles, podcasts, etc. many sign up because they will be published by us, and a few sign up because they are paid spammers. Occasionally we get an organization sign on as a new user because they have entered into a partnership with rabble, but your average spammer is an individual who gets paid to do keyword searches and post spam where appropriate. Sometimes spammers are recognizable by their name or a dot com in their user profile, but sometimes they just sign in with a name and absolutely no evidence that are anything other than a new user interested in a progressive news site. There really is no way to predict accurately who is a spammer and who is not. Sometimes a spammer will create a new user account and not post any spam until days, weeks or months later.
Mon, 2014-03-24 12:57
#10
I thought this was a discussion board with an online news journal. 
Oh, for the good old days.
Mon, 2014-03-24 12:59
#11
New babblers should register, and then either pass a CAPTCHA test or have to reply to an automated email. Every forum I know uses one or both of these methods. No human intervention would be required, and almost all spammers would be automatically denied entry.
If there's a reason for not implementing one or both of these universally used methods for new users, I'd be interested in knowing what it is.
Mon, 2014-03-24 13:17
#12
Those measures only get automated spam and we already screen for bots. The spam you see on this site is generated by individuals registering as new users. We have no means whereby we can screen them to maximum effect. Companies hire individual spammers because they can get past CAPTCHA and other tests that catch automated spam. Used to be the majority of spam came from spam bots. That's no longer the case. The average spammer is a human being sitting at a computer, sending out spam for a pay cheque. It's usually piecework, so the more spam you send the more you get paid. Most probably work from home or from Internet cafes.
Mon, 2014-03-24 13:46
#13
Yup, likewise., There's no reason to not do it. Plenty of other sites (including enmasse) do. And it is hardly an imposition at all.My understanding is that no one can actually join enmasse these days.
Yes, but my actual point was that it is a fairly standard and common system. Plenty of facebook groups, and plenty of boards use it.
Why cant anyone join enmasse?
Mon, 2014-03-24 13:47
#14
Much of the spam gets posted by individuals joining up overnight, we can't always block them before they post, and often all we can do is clean up after them. Because these are individuals and not bots, it's not always possible to identify spammers until they actually post spam. It's not like they register with user names like "blockmeimaspammer" or "buy Nike", or "rolexseller", etc. all the time. It's a pain in the arse to have to wade through their trash, but trust me, it's a bigger pain in the arse to clean up after them and if there were some foolproof way we could keep them out, we'd have employed it long ago.
ETA For every spammer you see there are several you don't because Catchfire or I have headed them off at the pass. Of course, if rabble could find mods who did not require sleep or sustenance, you'd see even less spam.
Gotcha, so this is totally Rabbles fault then for not hiring the right mods (ones not requiring food or sleep)
Mon, 2014-03-24 14:31
#15
Much of the spam gets posted by individuals joining up overnight, we can't always block them before they post, and often all we can do is clean up after them. Because these are individuals and not bots, it's not always possible to identify spammers until they actually post spam. It's not like they register with user names like "blockmeimaspammer" or "buy Nike", or "rolexseller", etc. all the time. It's a pain in the arse to have to wade through their trash, but trust me, it's a bigger pain in the arse to clean up after them and if there were some foolproof way we could keep them out, we'd have employed it long ago.
ETA For every spammer you see there are several you don't because Catchfire or I have headed them off at the pass. Of course, if rabble could find mods who did not require sleep or sustenance, you'd see even less spam.
Gotcha, so this is totally Rabbles fault then for not hiring the right mods (ones not requiring food or sleep)
I'll go with that.
Mon, 2014-03-24 18:48
#16
infracaninophile
It's not like they register with user names like "blockmeimaspammer" or "buy Nike", or "rolexseller", etc.
Heh heh, I remember when onlinediscountanvils joined, and at first I thought he might be a spammer till a quick reality check made me consider, who the bleep would buy anvils online? I think Catchfire commented on being temporarily puzzled by the name, too.
oda, if you're reading this, I'd love to hear the story behind that handle. Sounds intriguing.
Mon, 2014-03-24 21:07
#17
infracaninophile wrote: .... till a quick reality check made me consider, who the bleep would buy anvils online?
"Reality" is not quite what it used to be ... http://anvilblacksmith.info/anvils/
Tue, 2014-03-25 11:19
#18
One of our fill-in moderators temporarily blocked onlinediscountanvils because they at first thought he was a spammer when he signed on as a new user. I had to resist the urge to tease and mock until I realized that it was just the sort of thing I might do in my enthusiasm to block spam.
Wed, 2014-03-26 04:04
#19
It's not like they register with user names like "blockmeimaspammer" or "buy Nike", or "rolexseller", etc.
Heh heh, I remember when onlinediscountanvils joined, and at first I thought he might be a spammer till a quick reality check made me consider, who the bleep would buy anvils online? I think Catchfire commented on being temporarily puzzled by the name, too.
oda, if you're reading this, I'd love to hear the story behind that handle. Sounds intriguing.
That's pretty much the reaction I was aiming for. Just for my own amusement, I thought it would be fun to pick a name that at first glance was suggestive of a spammer, while also trying to signal to the mods that I wasn't really a spammer, by choosing such an unlikely product to hawk. As sherpa-finn has poined-out, I've since discovered that you can indeed order some cut-rate anvils online, although I still suspect that paying someone to peddle anvils on a progressive message board wouldn't be a very cost-effective marketing strategy.
And yes, as RW said, my account was briefly suspended on the suspicion that I might be a spammer. Thankfully, I was able to get reinstated after emailing the mods.
Wed, 2014-03-26 04:33
#20
Why cant anyone join enmasse?
I believe anyone still can, if they're willing to negotiate the semi-permanent technical difficulties. New registrations go to the mods, and while the site admin is still AWOL, we have one dedicated mod still on the job.
Mon, 2014-07-07 11:23
#21
Those measures only get automated spam and we already screen for bots. The spam you see on this site is generated by individuals registering as new users. We have no means whereby we can screen them to maximum effect.
Are you (or our techies) 100% sure about that? I have never, ever, seen another forum with spam attacks like babble - and I'm including small private forums with no paid mods. Why would anyone pay real human beings to launch these giant spam attacks against a low-volume forum like babble?
I still haven't heard a response as to why we don't try a CAPTCHA and email validation system, which (again) every other forum I know has long since implemented.
Please see if we can get a reply to this.
Mon, 2014-07-07 11:33
#22
We have to do something, as the board is almost undreadable these days.
Mon, 2014-07-07 11:40
#23
Today is the worst and it makes me wonder if it is in fact a spam attack designed for babble. There is no way that any of those links are getting hits so there is no monetary motive and I have never seen this kind of attack anywhere else. So what is the game we are being subjected too?
Mon, 2014-07-07 11:56
#24
Yes, and that tornado must have torn up my yard because god was angry at me.
This isn't the worst I have seen. But if I was looking for conspiracies, I'd tend more toward wondering if it had anything to do with the July 1 spam deadline.
...or if it was an inside job, seeing as Johndavid is still operating unmolested, as we yak about this.
(if I was conspiracy-minded, I repeat)
Mon, 2014-07-07 12:01
#25
I suspect something similar to what Kropotkin does, but we're so obscure here as to make such a concerted attack against the forum not very logical or productive. And all political differences aside that ordinarily might suggest otherwise, generally we're not a crowd easily swayed by marketing campaigns.
Mon, 2014-07-07 12:04
#26
Perhaps you are right.
Petro Poroschenko hasn't posted here under his real name. That must mean he's using an alias to attack his most vocal critic and forward the cause of American Nazi Imperialism.
Random spam is what happens to regular people; not freedom fighters like us.
Mon, 2014-07-07 12:15
#27
The term 'generally' obviously does leave a fair amount of room for exceptions.
Mon, 2014-07-07 12:22
#28
Well good to see we're not letting a little random spam attack get in the way of our usual friendly banter.
Never surrender, right?
Mon, 2014-07-07 12:40
#29
I've learned over time to categorize in a certain way your post-bong hit musings, which is why I never get very upset about the fruits of this particular activity.
Mon, 2014-07-07 13:07
#30
I have seen spam attacks like this before, and I have even seen spam accounts uploading user avatars. There is nothing unusual about them.
Usually a CAPTCHA on user signup will take care of most of the problem.
I think the real issue is that Babble has become such a marginal part of Rabble that work on Babble is low priority.
Mon, 2014-07-07 13:07
#31
If I was a more ornery coot, SJ, I'd call a mod for your implying that I am stoned or drunk, if I thought it would do any good.
(well that, and the fact that they are probably scurrying around trying to clean up after Bob, Jessica and John)
Really, the bigger question to me is how you can only imagine people holding opinions different than yours if they are out of their minds. Again, a bit of a contradiction for the fellow who is supposedly all about free thought.
Though I suppose calling someone a drunk is an easy, if lazy, alternative to real engagement.
Mon, 2014-07-07 13:08
#32
Perhaps we can hold off debating whether Putin, Obama, Harper, Trudeau, Henry Kissinger, or Tony Blair is behind the flood and just take some temporary stopgap measures like locking out new registrations for a day or two while the mods ponder the best way to fix the problem.
(Besides, it's obviously Mulcair.)
Mon, 2014-07-07 13:09
#33
@ wage zombie
So why not go for the captcha? It is a simple and common standard. A number of us have stated our position on this; I'm not goign to belabour it, but it seems like a no-brainer.
It used to be that people left their doors unlocked, and did so as a point of pride. That doesn't work everywhere anymore.
Mon, 2014-07-07 13:16
#34
@ cco
"We" have no power over this situation. It's not our site, and we aren't in a position to do a damned thing about it.
That being the case, I have no problem with resorting to mockery and jokesterism. Sure is better than getting angry and paranoid about it.
(edit)
The temporary locking idea is a good one, I have to say. Seeing as it crossed my mind too, that is.
Mon, 2014-07-07 13:18
#35
Yes, and that tornado must have torn up my yard because god was angry at me.
This isn't the worst I have seen. But if I was looking for conspiracies, I'd tend more toward wondering if it had anything to do with the July 1 spam deadline.
...or if it was an inside job, seeing as Johndavid is still operating unmolested, as we yak about this.
(if I was conspiracy-minded, I repeat)
You are right there are no right wing adolescent hackers in the real world who would want to have a little fun with a leftie board.
6079 FOOD is my only thought on your posts most of the time. You take a little bit of fun I might want to have and turn it into a personal attack.
Mon, 2014-07-07 13:52
#36
If I was a more ornery coot, SJ, I'd call a mod for your implying that I am stoned or drunk, if I thought it would do any good.
For next time, the canonical response is "I'm just high on life!". Either that, or "You twisted maniac! I've been clean for years! Ask anyone - I haven't so much as taken an aspirin!"
Mon, 2014-07-07 13:58
#37
Not that that was on my mind, k. But if it is so much on yours then why do you provide such an easy target?
Fact is, if you were actually having fun we'd probably be laughing together about this. As it is, I can't tell even from your last comment. Is it fun, or if you are serious about thinking this might be a political attack.
Mon, 2014-07-07 14:06
#38
For next time, the canonical response is "I'm just high on life!". Either that, or "You twisted maniac! I've been clean for years! Ask anyone - I haven't so much as taken an aspirin!"
Absolutely. And I figure "I've been drinking the MSM Nazi Imperialist Koolaid" has been taken already.
Mon, 2014-07-07 14:15
#39
The latest spam is copied and pasted from news articles. Such a tactic does nothing for the financial interests of the spammer, but does serve to possibly get the board in copyright trouble.
Mon, 2014-07-07 14:18
#40
Catchfire
Sometimes these spammers post something legit only to come back later and replace it with their spam copy. Little do they know that I draconianally control who and who cannot edit first posts. VERON YOUR PLAN WAS DESTINED TO FAIL FROM THE BEGINNING BWAHHAHAHAHA
Mon, 2014-07-07 14:19
#41
Not that that was on my mind, k. But if it is so much on yours then why do you provide such an easy target?
Fact is, if you were actually having fun we'd probably be laughing together about this. As it is, I can't tell even from your last comment. Is it fun, or if you are serious about thinking this might be a political attack.
My guess is it's not a political attack in the sense of CSIS or something like that(sorry, but babble is not of such pivotal significance that the agencies are going to bother). But possibly a "lone wolf" who just has some grudge against the board for whatever reason. Like, he got banned or humiliated in a debate, and has too much time on his hands.
Mon, 2014-07-07 14:19
#42
sorry, double post
Mon, 2014-07-07 14:56
#43
infracaninophile
Two new spammers have joined in just the last few minutes, while we have been discussing it on this thread.
How about a lockout unti8l some plan can be devised. (I know others have suggested this).l
Mon, 2014-07-07 15:08
#44
@ VOTD
Maybe. It's not like I'm in denial about that possibility. But seriously, I have seen worse spam and pranksterism on other sites where there is no political dimension whatsoever.
I see musing about that as the same as trying to find some motive for any other random incident or act of nature, simply because it affects us. Bottom line is, even if it is, it doesn't matter.
Mon, 2014-07-07 15:16
#45
Catchfire
Yeah, I agree infrac. I've asked the techies for exactly that. I've never seen it like this. They're hitting Monday morning like its the set of Glengarry, Glenross.
ETA: By gob I think we've stemmed the tide.
ETA2: Nope.
Mon, 2014-07-07 16:31
#46
alan smithee
I'll will refrain comment...any making sense of this would sound conspiracist...But it makes you think.
Mon, 2014-07-07 16:50
#47
Man, if you can't air your conspiracy theories on babble, where can you? I thought that's what this place was for!
Mon, 2014-07-07 16:54
#48
Man, if you can't air your conspiracy theories on babble, where can you? I thought that's what this place was for!
Mon, 2014-07-07 17:07
#49
How did you get the spy as part of you post.? I like the eyes
Mon, 2014-07-07 17:32
#50
I see there are even more spammers in the last 10 minutes.
Mon, 2014-07-07 17:51
#51
Oh air them all you want.
Just don't be surprised if someone points and snickers over the fence at your undies hanging on the line.