Spam Handled

[MistaObvious]

I do check the site often (once a day at least), but still managed to miss all of the spam that flooded the forums today.  For that, I apologize.  I've since banned every aspect of the account that posted it (IP, host name, account, email, etc., etc.) and deleted one by one all of the posts.

I have noticed the last couple weeks that new accounts are being created by phony e-mail addresses quite regularly and have been making attempts at curbing this.  However, this latest incident make it clear that I'm not doing enough.

So the reason I'm making a news post about this at all is to inform everyone that the forums (or entire site for that matter) will have to be updated.  There are in fact several releases (bug patches and security updates) since the last time I upgraded to site, so it's time to catch up.  I will also be looking into some of the capcha solutions out there (picture with numbers and letters you have to type in in order to post) to better curb automated spam.

What this really means for everyone else:  the site will go through an extensive upgrade.  During this process, the forums will be down.  This could also mean the whole site being down and there is in fact a possibility of some data loss in the process.  Backups will be done just in case, but as with anything on the internet, there is always a chance something can go wrong.

I should also point out that I don't play with the website much anymore for a few reasons.  1) I'm really busy these days and 2) I just don't have the love or patience for this stuff I once had.  That being said, if something DOES go wrong, it may take some time to fix it.  It's not a guarantee that it'll happen all in one day.

[Grendel]

thanks, Liam.  We should talk.

[shakes]

You must be doing a great job. I visit several times a day and have not seen any spam at all! Unless you count my posts.

[Hiker]

yeah i never noticed any spam, i check in the am and at  night 
keep up the good work then   

[Sipin]

I check fairly recently and have not noticed any spam...
When I do see it, I verify the email. If it looks suspicious, I delete the account.

[MistaObvious]

It was a rare occurrence, but was aggravating enough to clean up (20 posts on 20 different topics).  And like I said, I've been seeing more and more fake accounts being set up.  This incident was enough to motivate me to bring everything up to date.

[Sipin]

Just as well. An update is due and the look is feeling a bit tired...

[Sparks]

Thought CAPTCHA would stop or slow down the spam when you try to register ?

[MistaObvious]

Not just when you register, but also when you post.  And it should.  But as with all things computer, someone out there is trying to work around the next great security solution as we speak.  So I'm sure captcha has some hacks that can sneak by it.  So with that in mind I'll be looking for a solution that hasn't already been bypassed.

As for the look, not sure if I'm going to do much about that.  It's a lengthy process, and frankly it's one I don't have the time or inclination to take on right now.

[Grendel]

That's what I wanted to talk to you about, Liam.  Making things more secure is great if you're willing to do that, but please be careful not to take on more than you are very comfortable with doing.

[MistaObvious]

I appreciate the concern, Gren.  Rest assured, my intentions are quite simple: try to make the site more secure.  I'm hoping this won't be too daunting of a task.  By all accounts, it shouldn't be.

[Sipin]

Just deleted jojoking as obvious spammer...

[MistaObvious]

Thanks, Gene. I did manage to update the forums, but apparently there's nothing available to completely thwart bots from registering.

[Grendel]

How about sodoku.  I hear that's hard to do; perhaps too hard for a bot.


Of course, that might keep me out, too.