I'm not sure what the admin console layout looks like, but isn't there a way that you can look at either the email addresses or IP ranges of the spammers and block them, or keeping someone from posting that has a certain character range? The funny letters are quite annoying when they clutter up the boards (and you guys/gals are doing a splendid job of getting them outta here when they DO show up), but for the people who come on here with web links or say something like this:

That from the post from "donnaeadv."

Just curious. If you were to be able to essentially block some of the spam, it would make your lives a bit easier, and we, the typical board users, would be less likely to talk to a wall...so to speak. lol

 

Motor, when we are finding people abusing our boards, we are blocking their IP address. But, part of the problem is that a lot of internet providers are using variable IP addresses and to simply block a set of numbers in an IP address would affect many more people that are using the boards correctly than we are trying to block. For example, lets say we see a lot of people that the first set of numbers in the IP address are 111 (random number). Lets say we block that set of numbers. Well, 111 just happens to be the address that you happen to be using. that would mean that you would also get blocked.

There are other methods that are being talked about to help curb the amount of spam. IT is just a matter of getting the correct software in place to make the ability to post an initial post a bit more difficult.

 

Gotcha. Also, I can't remember if the boards require EMail confirmation of registration. That may help, too, if it's not in place.

 

Motor, as it stands right now, E-mail confirmation is not required. But, that is one of the things that we are looking at implementing. There are a few other ideas that are being tossed around that should make it more difficult for spammers. But, as you know, you make a plan to stop them, they will find a way around it.

 

True that.

 

There's talk of new spamming software from the higher ups, which hasn't been implemented yet. i've also got an email from a newly registered member that has been told his status is pending email confirmation before his membership is accepted. I can't help him yet, but forwarded his request to Jim.

Keep reporting individual posts guys, that's the ones we miss. It's rather easy to spot the new thread starters that are spammers, but the ones that add a post to an already established, legitimate thread, those often go unforseen.

 

H2O we'll keep reporting no problem. None of us like spam gumming up the works of this great resource;

Appologies in advance if you recieve reports about the same post from multiple members, but we have no way of knowing if a post has been previously reported.

To all of you, keep up the good work, we really appreciate it.

Positive email confirmation and no URL's in user names are good filters in the fight.

 

whats with them posting in the exterior section???

 

It's just random I presume, there's no rhyme or reason to which they choose.