Avast WEBforum
Other => General Topics => Topic started by: hpguru on February 26, 2010, 02:55:30 PM
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What we should do to stop this forum spam?
Maybe Akismet?
http://custom.simplemachines.org/mods/index.php?mod=544
Thanks.
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yeah I agree something should be done, it just doesn't stop, again every day ::) One thing is it's too easy to register and start posting. VBulletin allows at least that new registered users can't login before a few days (registration validation) and then can't post before one week. In the meantime they're in read only mode.
Probably not a good idea for those wishing to post for the first time because their systems got infected. On the other hand they don't get help from the Avast team anyway, but from other users (using non-avast tools), and there are stickies that can be read as guest...
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IIRC, the blog uses that, so maybe...
The problem is though that this system will need someone who can monitor the forum more than is done now...
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These kinds of restrictions shouldn't prevent someone who hasn't registered to the boards needs immediate help from writing down his/her problem.
Although I've suggested this once, is it possible to put another restriction which disables the ability of linking on the users whose post count is less than 20.
Optionally, since this is basically a support boards, I don't think overly decorative features are needed.
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But then spammer link google.com etc... ;D
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But then spammer link google.com etc... ;D
??? I meant there should be no links whether they are to microsoft or google sites. We can use good old copy and paste.
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What we should do to stop this forum spam?
<snip>
Short answer use the Report to moderator link in the offending post, that is by far the quickest and easiest method.
Much longer answer.
This forum compared to many doesn't suffer as much spam and that which is there is dealt with quickly because of pro-active members using the report to moderator link.
There are measures to stop automated account registrations, whilst not perfect, they do make it a little more of a pain for the spammers if they have to register manually.
What we shouldn't do is make the registration process so tight and onerous as to deter avast users registering because they need help and they need it quickly.
So as for a three day wait to login and a week to post, when the whole point of registering is to get help quickly not something after a week. That is punishing legitimate users more than any spammers and the ratio of legit users to spammers should dictate any anti-spammer measures.
One possibility, having registered and email could be sent to the registered users email with a confirmation of receipt using a URL to activate the account allowing logon and posting once activated. Then we fall into the possible problem of non-receipt of the email because of some over active anti-spam (ironic) application at the users ISP, etc. and this we see/saw a lot of with avast 4.8 registration emails.
So it isn't a simple matter, for now keep using the report to moderator link and that limits the benefit any spammer is hoping for prolonged exposure/advertising.
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I have already reported quite a lot of spam posts but what makes me think this is rather stupid is that spams always have links, obviously expecting those who visit the boards accidentally or out of curiosity, click them. Really, it is not too hard to discern which is spam. So, IMO, it would make it easier to keep the boards tidy if there is no links to be clicked.
PS I just came across to a spam without any link but I have no doubt that it is far less effective.
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Some users may post (their first post) with a link, because they have a problem with a particular site (blocked as malicious, or a web shield problem), with a partciular tool (downloadable from that site), sending a link to some AV article/test... so I wouldn't really say that if the first post has a link, it's necessarily spam.
On the other hand, I can imagine that the first N posts of a user wouldn't allow clickable links (no idea if it can be technically done, I don't know anything about the forum software) - where N might be anything from 5 to infinity (included, as far as I'm concerned).
But I don't think it would stop the spammers in any way - they'd be happy that their link got into google search (when indexing the forum), no matter if clickable or not.
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Some users may post (their first post) with a link, because they have a problem with a particular site (blocked as malicious, or a web shield problem), with a partciular tool (downloadable from that site), sending a link to some AV article/test... so I wouldn't really say that if the first post has a link, it's necessarily spam.
On the other hand, I can imagine that the first N posts of a user wouldn't allow clickable links (no idea if it can be technically done, I don't know anything about the forum software) - where N might be anything from 5 to infinity (included, as far as I'm concerned).
But I don't think it would stop the spammers in any way - they'd be happy that their link got into google search (when indexing the forum), no matter if clickable or not.
I see. Personally, I think it would dramatically reduce the effectiveness of each spam but, if your decision is done after good consideration, I won't insist it. After all, it's your company and you are the bunch of professionals.
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There's no decision here, I'm not the forum administrator ;)
Just my personal opinions.
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There's no decision here, I'm not the forum administrator ;)
Just my personal opinions.
Oh, I see but, as long as I know, you are the only person who is privileged to do U-boat browsing these boards. ;D
Well, then, let's see what chocolo or kc... (sorry, I cannot spell his forum name) decide. ;)
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just as an example, XtremeSystems forums (more registered members - not much more - than Avast but much more traffic/posting ) use this method of 2/3 days account validation, and one week red only >>> end result, these forums get spammed once or twice a month, while Avast forums get spammed several times a day sometimes ::) One should also take into account that spammers probably like to challenge security software related forums.
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just as an example, XtremeSystems forums (more registered members - not much more - than Avast but much more traffic/posting ) use this method of 2/3 days account validation, and one week red only >>> end result, these forums get spammed once or twice a month, while Avast forums get spammed several times a day sometimes ::) One should also take into account that spammers probably like to challenge security software related forums.
Logos, we are not questioning the effectiveness in preventing spams here. However, considering the nature of the support forum,personally, I don't think it is a reasonable solution. :'(
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I have seen on another forum a method of reducing the appeal of spamming:
All of these links are using rel="NOFOLLOW" to keep people from using them to improve search engine rankings, too, making us a less attractive spammer/SEO target.
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So basically it would be pointless...
I wonder if that can be achieved here, although I doubt it would do much...
-Scott-
I posted this a while ago, and it could be a good idea...although it may not stop people spamming, it could reduce the amount, and also reduce the effectiveness of those that do still...
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just as an example, XtremeSystems forums (more registered members - not much more - than Avast but much more traffic/posting ) use this method of 2/3 days account validation, and one week red only >>> end result, these forums get spammed once or twice a month, while Avast forums get spammed several times a day sometimes ::) One should also take into account that spammers probably like to challenge security software related forums.
Logos, we are not questioning the effectiveness in preventing spams here. However, considering the nature of the support forum,personally, I don't think it is a reasonable solution. :'(
so there's nothing to do ??? but keep reporting as we do and expect that an admin will be there at the same time, which very often isn't the case and allows a same spammer to keep posting in every possible section here, sometimes during hours ::)
edit: I think this thread should be moved to the Evangelist corner ;) ...but that's not even possible, as the OP isn't an "evangelist" yet and couldn't post anymore in the thread he started :D
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Why report? If there is for example 40 spam in hour, should we report all them? ???
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Why report? If there is for example 40 spam in hour, should we report all them? ???
no of course not, if it's from the same registered "user", no need to report more than once.
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I often report multiple spam posts with wording, like this, Drive by spammer account 6+ spam posts, please delete posts and account, etc. That way you don't have to report each and every one, on occasion I may report more than one of the posts to get the point across, but not all of them.
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Unfortunatly there are creatures that inhabit this planet that deserve an occasional mention and suitable rapport is needed to explain how to deal with them.
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;D Nice... :D
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I appreciate Alwil's problem. With a product support forum, you really can't make rules that inhibit your users from getting support. For a social networking forum or general information forum, sure. Solution for most forums is appointing a few volunteer moderators (non employees) in each time zone with the power to move, delete, etc. postings. Not just for spam, but for raving, cursing, libel, posting copyrighted material, ... The Alwil employees have more useful things to do. And I know this board supports these features, because I have used it as a moderator before. Do not suffer fools gladly. ;)
BTW, banning is nice too, by IP as well as ID, but needs to be used carefully because of shared resources.
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Nice. Spammer is here again...
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And now he has gone - reported just one minute ago - speedy ;D
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Nice. Spammer is here again...
Rule #3: Spammers are stupid. http://bruce.pennypacker.org/2005/02/28/the-rules-of-spam
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Nice. Spammer is here again...
Should be, nice 'another' spammer is here again, as you have no way to identify if it is the same spammer.
Even if it is the same spammer account name - The answer is still the same, so what it is a fact of life, just use the report to moderator link. There really is little point in getting upset about it.
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An SMF board is able to identify the IP address of every user and keep a historical record of it for each login. Not perfect, but pretty good aid to recognize multiple identities and such.
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Yes it is able to do so, but a forum member isn't able to view that and make any assumption that it is the same spammer or not, that is the point I'm making.
Unless the Moderators, who delete the spammer accounts record that IP and add it to some form of blacklisting for the Domain/ISP, etc. Unless there is some form of IP Black list checking in SMF forum registrations then it is much ado about nothing. Not to mention blocking a domain/ISP is also likely to hit the innocent, not what we want to do in a support forum.
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I don't know that it is important for the forum members to know whether it is the same spammer if the mods can tell. SMF boards support these functions. Problem is finding some with temperament, time and inclination to use it. And the Alwil employees can still find better ways to use their time. ;) Moderators shouldn't just be deleting accounts, there is a capability to actually ban by individual IP and to provide lesser punishment like "read only" or "suspension for a week". And registrations are checked against banned users (or can be) although logging in with a new ID from a new IP is obviously harder to catch until another violation occurs. You do get reports of ID vs IP and IP vs ID, though. Comodo uses the same board as Avast!, has lots of mods, and uses more of the SMF features, but tends to handle things by committee. OA and Wilders use vBulletin and take more of an "off with their heads" approach to violations. These are not major items in any case-SMF is free, vBulletin is ~$200. And of course everyone still gets some spam. ;) BTW, I notice that the moderator list for most of the Avast! forums seems to have vanished, but didn't they previously list Vlk and Igor? Really?
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Spammer are really having great Financial problems after the recent economic meltdown so they are spreading spam as much as they can everywhere :)
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This may depend on the frequency I come here but I haven't seen a single spam since my last post in this thread. It seems the moderators have been doing a good job. In fact, I needed to search for this thread. ;)
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@ Rumpel
Here's alive one I just reported:
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=56455.0
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5 spam from same idiot! ::)
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@ Rumpel
Here's alive one I just reported:
Me, too. But I guess a moderator arrived to save the day. ;)
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(http://f00.inventorspot.com/images/1559606_340_1116081430036-spam.jpg)
Thank you. 7 spam deleted.
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burps!!!!!!!!! Good Shot!!!!! ;D
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@ Rumpel
Here's alive one I just reported:
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=56455.0
Well it isn't there any more, so keep on reporting them and they don't get the oxygen of publicity for long.
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Yup we support people getting trouble but no publicity in a forum ;D
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This is a question you have to ask yourself ;D
Why is the location of every spammer set as Afghanistan?
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Why is the location of every spammer set as Afghanistan?
It is the first option available in the list of countries.., well that might be a best guess.. someone had actually mentioned it previously..
nmb
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yeah, you don't think they'd actually make sure to update their country of origin before happily sending their spam everywhere, do you? ;D