Spam....
Posted 02/04/2025 - 13:55
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Hi Ian,
Spam is something pretty difficult to control and prevent, but we do have measures in place to keep it to a minimum.
The whole site is distributed and protected by Cloudflare that helps prevent malicious attacks. Anything that slips through the net is then cleaned up by John & myself, when we clean up a spammer their domain is banned so they can't sign up again using that domain. Also we have the option of blocking IP addresses, but with the introduction of VPNs it's very easy for a spammer not to be using the same IP or range.
The reward for spammers is to get a backlink to their site which promotes their ranking on Google, that's the reason behind it all, rarely anything malicious.
Normally we clean up things straight-away, but I've been away from my desk this morning so missed the recent spam topic.
Cheers,
Rick
Spam is something pretty difficult to control and prevent, but we do have measures in place to keep it to a minimum.
The whole site is distributed and protected by Cloudflare that helps prevent malicious attacks. Anything that slips through the net is then cleaned up by John & myself, when we clean up a spammer their domain is banned so they can't sign up again using that domain. Also we have the option of blocking IP addresses, but with the introduction of VPNs it's very easy for a spammer not to be using the same IP or range.
The reward for spammers is to get a backlink to their site which promotes their ranking on Google, that's the reason behind it all, rarely anything malicious.
Normally we clean up things straight-away, but I've been away from my desk this morning so missed the recent spam topic.
Cheers,
Rick
Adapting Pentax-M Series Lenses
Posted 02/04/2025 - 14:27
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Thanks for the info Rick!
I know about backlinking... I did use to create & manage websites, but nothing as complex as Pentaxuser.com!
I know about backlinking... I did use to create & manage websites, but nothing as complex as Pentaxuser.com!
Posted 02/04/2025 - 16:34
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Rick, another site I use totally bans any use of VPN's as they were the source of so much spam...perhaps something to think about here? Just a thought.
Malc
Malc
Sometimes, just occasionally, I nearly get it right.
Posted 02/04/2025 - 17:23
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Cheers Malc, that's a great suggestion. I could just implement at the point of registering with the site, catch them there rather than rolling it out globally.
Added to upgrades list
Rick
Added to upgrades list
Rick
Adapting Pentax-M Series Lenses
Posted 02/04/2025 - 17:44
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You could also ensure that the first 'x' number of posts have to be assessed for suitability by a moderator.
I do like your vpn "implement at the point of registering" plan
A total ban on vpn users is overkill - I often use vpns so you would lose me for a start ☺
I do like your vpn "implement at the point of registering" plan
A total ban on vpn users is overkill - I often use vpns so you would lose me for a start ☺
Posted 02/04/2025 - 18:16
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The modus operandi of 99% of spammer is to register, post something with a link in hope that it doesn't get cleaned up and never return.
The VPN trap would only be on new registrations, I know a lot of people prefer to browse behind a VPN.
It would just be used as a deterrent, extra hurdle for the spammers to overcome, of which we hope they don't bother.
As I say, normally we're pretty speedy cleaning things up and I check/monitor every sign up.
The VPN trap would only be on new registrations, I know a lot of people prefer to browse behind a VPN.
It would just be used as a deterrent, extra hurdle for the spammers to overcome, of which we hope they don't bother.
As I say, normally we're pretty speedy cleaning things up and I check/monitor every sign up.
Adapting Pentax-M Series Lenses
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1375 posts
18 years
If I may ask, how is all this stuff getting on here?? I am a member of some astro forums, and they don't get any spam at all.
Hope you don't mind me asking.
Thanks,
Ian