Spam

[Dan]

As you've probably seen, the spammers are back at it and registering with bots to spam the forum.   I'm setting up ban rules to counter this, but it takes time.   

I'm also removing anything they post and deleting the accounts, but it should go without saying to NEVER click on any links they post or any links in their signatures.

If it continues to be a problem, I will be temporarily be disabling registration until I can resolve the issue.

[Dan]

I have cleaned up the spam, banned the accounts, and adjusted registration filters to help stop this. 

I'll continue to monitor this, and if it continues, I'll be making registration require manual approval.  This of course creates a different type of headache for me, so I'll obviously be looking into further measures to prevent the bots from registering an account in the first place.

[stiletto2]

Thanks, Dan, for your quick action!  Good job!

Rod

[ualani]

Yep, some spammer was busy earlier today.

[Dan]

I'm seeing an increase of spammer accounts registering again for some reason.  I'm banning/deleting as I see them, hopefully before they can post.   

As always, please be careful when clicking any links in the forum from people you don't trust.  Internet 101. 

Thank you to those who continually report them!  I think Jeff might have the all-time record on reported posts so far, I'll have to see it I can tally it up somehow.   

[stiletto2]

Thanks, Dan.

Rod

[Dan]

I'm seeing numerous registrations daily from russian IP addresses, all of them linking to probable malware in their forum signatures and posts.  Who knows what they're posting/linking in their first posts before we delete them, so it goes without saying DO NOT click on it.

Even though I've changed up the registration criteria/questions, they're still registering.     If this continues, I will be making forum account creation admin-approval only.   

[jeff3163]

That sounds like a good idea, Dan.  That would stop them from getting on the site for sure.   

[kaha]

Is this because the site got increased attention after introducing RTMM for MSFS? Admin approval surely is more work but might be the right decision.

Karl

[Dan]

Is this because the site got increased attention after introducing RTMM for MSFS? Admin approval surely is more work but might be the right decision.

Karl

It started before, so I don't think it's the exact cause.   It's certainly frustrating though.

[Dan]

New forum accounts now require admin approval until further notice. 

[stiletto2]

Good decision!  Thanks, Dan.

Rod

[Dan]

It's already prevented 4 spammer accounts from getting in.   It's a pain and requires continual effort, but until I come up with an alternative solution, this is how it's going to have to be.

[Bradallen43]

Thank you Dan. Frustrating I'm sure but we'd be DOA if it wasn't for your efforts to keep things working and safe.

Much appreciated,

Brad

[Dan]

Had over 1100 bot accounts sign up today alone.  Not sure what their fascination is with our little corner of the internet, but the manual approval process is keeping them out for now.    It's not a sustainable process though, as it takes time to go through and deny all of them.     

Out of the dozen or so accounts I've approved recently, only one ended up actually being a spammer and was promptly banned and deleted.

I'd like to reiterate, never click on links in the forum from people you don't trust, especially users with only a few posts.   Also, if you get a suspicious personal message on the forums from a new account that you don't know, let me know about it.  I want to make sure they're not spamming via PMs as well.

Thanks.