Spambot Discussion

Wait, do we IP ban members or just simply ban the account.
Also, after a new account is made we should have them verify their email, and then allow them to post.
 
The emoticon, I've seen that happen many times on other forums, where the ":" and the "/" together make an emoticon on the URL itself. Funny little trick though. :tongueout:

Wait, do we IP ban members or just simply ban the account.
Also, after a new account is made we should have them verify their email, and then allow them to post.
Most often we just simply ban the account, if the user is a repeat offender and keeps making an alternate/duplicate account, then we call in VashX to perform an IP ban. After a new account is made, all users are sent an email verification to activate their account, and if the user clicks the link, their account has been activated and will be fully able to post and do all other things a user can do on here.

In that regard, most of us Staff think that there is a legitimate human being who spends time, making these accounts, and verifying them during the Staff's "off-hours", in hopes that some random fool will click their link or buy what they're selling, so to speak, only to get them banned several hours later.

In this regard I find it interesting the spambot user puts up these accounts, despite the fact that they'll be banned shortly after. It makes me wonder what kind of insane maniac literally makes this their living to do. Post bogus links to other websites, in the hopes of ensnaring people (which probably aren't really fooled/are other bots in the first place), to click on that specific link and somehow make money off it.

In all honesty, the concept escapes me, more so the money-making than the spam factor of it.
 
In essence, there is no true way to exterminate spambots. The only way to combat them is to defend against them with spam filters/banning. Part of the reason for this lies in botnets, email hoards, etc (stuff that would take a long while for me to efficiently explain).

Long story short, a person actively combating spambots and attempting to eliminate the source would not do. People aren't robots (or at least, a good majority of them aren't), and I sense this sort of work 24/7 would exhaust a person very quickly.
that is exactly why we need more active moderators on the job working on this problem. if one can't do it, then many can certainly finish the job or
 
that is exactly why we need more active moderators on the job working on this problem. if one can't do it, then many can certainly finish the job or
At this rate, the issue is not so much in regards to the Moderators, but more so in regards to the software that prevents spambots in the first place. Many forums use CloudFlare or Bad Behavior (which I have asked VashX for, but he will not use Bad Behavior due to there being no support for XenForo software on their webpage).

I know I once said we needed more active Moderators, but on this regard, I am changing my quote:

We don't need more active Moderators, we need more spam filters.

Truly the only way to stop the spambot menace is to upgrade the security on here in regards to spam filters. With a spam protection of sorts on the forum, we should see a rapid decline in spambots registering. Only then, will we be able to focus on more pressing matters. :tongueout:
 
At this rate, the issue is not so much in regards to the Moderators, but more so in regards to the software that prevents spambots in the first place. Many forums use CloudFlare or Bad Behavior (which I have asked VashX for, but he will not use Bad Behavior due to there being no support for XenForo software on their webpage).

I know I once said we needed more active Moderators, but on this regard, I am changing my quote:

We don't need more active Moderators, we need more spam filters.

Truly the only way to stop the spambot menace is to upgrade the security on here in regards to spam filters. With a spam protection of sorts on the forum, we should see a rapid decline in spambots registering. Only then, will we be able to focus on more pressing matters. :tongueout:
ask the pros... how do other websites do it?
 
I am looking into it more closely with other Xenforo members and staff. It's not possible to block 100% of spam registrations, and our system is doing a pretty good job of eliminating 90% of registrations. You have to factor in the false positives, it's not as simple as you all may think. We are not flooded with spam registrations right now and only have to deal with a few a day. If I can make it better, I will.
 
Most of all spambots are this featuring
  1. Female ( most of them)
  2. Homepage address
  3. 25 years old age
  4. Can't replied comment
  5. Proper name

Those all list I noticed on spambots..
 
VashX is currently trying out CloudFlare, so we may have a more reasonable method up soon.
 
I am young, but i know how to make an adequate (but not very efficient) spambot that can by pass ReCaptcha, but i do not know how to "specifically" make one.
meaning i would have to open mine up and explain it and ddont want to unleash it on my computer because that would suck
 
Is it just me or I noticed that a lot of the spambot's PG3D IGN is pixelgun3d?
Did not notice that, but it would be a good idea to keep a look out for. Best to tell the other Mods about this.

I have also noticed more spambot reports in the mornings for me. Guess it's time we start feeding more questions.
 
Bump.
I also recently noticed that a part of the spambot community is from New York. What's the reason behind this?
Well, spambots are doing their routine here as normal now...
 
Implemented a new feature. Should prevent spam bots from posting but you will still see them register every now and then. Will continue to improve as much as I can.
 
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