Lack of spam

[bobthebob1234]

How does this forum seem to have so little spam?

I have a little forum and I get inundated with spam users and posts daily. I'm running the latest version of phpbb, with anti spam image on and email activation!

I might have to move to admin activation soon if this keeps up!

[heiowge]

I admin one site and moderate another. My site doesn't get spammers because we restrict registration. The one I moderate on gets spam all the time, but new users have to go through a period where all posts are vetted by me. Any I don't like get disapproved and admin gets a PM off me about it.

[Rhakios]

How does this forum seem to have so little spam?

I seem to recall that Mike has banned sign-up from some domains entirely.
With the restrictions on what you can add to your profile, it bis less attractive to spammers than it once was.
The mods and admins get rid of a lot of the spam (and spammers) before you get to see it. This also makes it a less attractive target.

[M-Saunders]

Lo,

1) Add nofollow to all links, so that spamming links is pointless for SEO (spammers are usually too stupid to understand this, but it makes their work redundant at least)

2) Stop people posting links in signatures entirely

3) When signing up, have a spam-detector question relating to the subject of the forum (eg if it's about Doctor Who, have a pic of a Dalek and ask "What is this?")

Even then, you might be the target of spam. I've seen a very sad spreadsheet used by "SEO companies" (read: spamming pieces of crap) with a list of forums, including this one, and details of how to spam it (eg "Register, wait a day, post something in Off Topic, wait a week, add link")

If an SEO company has put your forum on its spreadsheet, you're kinda doomed for now, as 10,000 people in Asia will be "working" for the SEO company, signing up for 50 Yahoo Mail accounts each to create usernames and post links.

I've uncovered a lot of SEO companies that just employ people in Asia to spam links on sites. If anyone reading this works for an SEO company, go die in a fire. You do nothing to make this world better.

M

[M-Saunders]

Here's the spreadsheet:

http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/3313/spammerz.png

This is how "SEO consultants" etc. operate. Big lists of ways to waste everyone's time. In fact, a fiery death is too quick for them.

M

[heiowge]

That sucks. Is that a complete list? If not, is there a more thorough list available?

[M-Saunders]

That's just one list from one "SEO consultant". I'm sure there are many, many more doing the rounds.

M

[ollie]

How does this forum seem to have so little spam?

The forum moderators are also fairly active in removing spam and monitoring new user registration.

[M-Saunders]

Yeah, I should also give credit to the busy moderators here who, during really bad times, kept on top of the spam really well. Thanks everyone! I'd buy you all a beer, but I don't know where you are, so I'll buy the beers and drink them myself.

M

[ollie]

Thanks, it can be quite humorous at times of high spamming. Make sure you have an icy cold Australian beer for me!

[nelz]

Yeah, I should also give credit to the busy moderators here who, during really bad times, kept on top of the spam really well. Thanks everyone! I'd buy you all a beer, but I don't know where you are, so I'll buy the beers and drink them myself.

M

All of the moderators have a location in their profile, you'll have to come up with a better excuse for drinking our beer

[bobthebob1234]

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Warringto ... 9,0.004823

I some how doubt that you live in the carphone warehouse, although I guess they wouldn't mind some free beer

[Rhakios]

Well, being moderators I suppose it behoves us to be moderate when it comes to drink...
So as Mike is an Admin not a mod, he can be immoderate and get well and truly sloshed.
I tell you what, I'll buy myself a few bottles of Fuller's 1845 and send the bill to Mike, care of LXF towers.