Quick update on Spam issue (and fix) and tapatalk interface (AK370Z) 10/02/13

[AK370Z]

Hey guys,

As you guys know that THE370Z had suffered an annoying spam issue beginning of September. I wanted to give everyone an clear idea/update what happen and what I (we) did to fix it.

Out of the blue, we started seeing many spam posts/threads beginning to pop up on the forum. It’s just a random outbreak. Happened in 2011 as well but it wasn’t this bad (and consistent). I do have to THANK everyone (members) who took their time to report these posts and threads. I really do appreciate it and with everything going on in the background, we DO rely on these reported posts as it’s physically impossible for us to check every thread(s). I also want to thank Trips and Frost doing a great job removing them as soon as possible. I know it wasn’t easy but you guys spent countless hours deleting spams

I instantly stopped new registrations on September 10th and started looking for solutions. After a few sleepless night and help with a friend of mine, we installed 6 modules to fight these annoying spammers. We installed things like “KEYCAPTCHA” where now one has to solve a puzzle and verify they are human before they can register. We all know it’s impossible to register in less than 20 seconds. So we installed time sensor where it detects if the registration was done before x seconds. If yes, the person automatically gets kicked off. This is GREAT for detecting computerized automatic spam generators. There’s also a module that checks for IP addresses and emails and if it’s found in the huge spam database (a database created by hundreds of thousands of forum owners), that person will immediately will be denied registration.

There’s also a module called “multiple login detector” which detects if same ip has been used to sign up for an account before. A lot of our spammer have same ip addresses. This has been a great mod to detect those scumbags . Also if a spammer somehow bypassed all that, there’s a thread/post sensor (Akismet) that detects if it’s a spammer (things like ugg, viagra, iphones, link etc are monitored in thread/post) creating thread or post and puts these threads/posts in a moderation queue. Me or one of the mod MUST approve first before their post make it on to the forum (which it never will as we delete it). This is why some members pm’ed me about “hey, I saw spammer xyz creating a thread/posting in a thread” but their post will never make it to the forum. We will remove it. Also, we installed a module to make OUR life easier. We now have the ability to remove spam in “1-click” (mods, expect a pm from me soon) . I know mods/admin assistants will appreciate this. Despite all these, you still may see a spam thread pop up here and there. You should REPORT the post and post “reported”, this way we don’t end up 10+ reported post for the same post.

Since I have stopped registration since early September, I’m FINALLY getting to them. I’m manually approving them to the forum. If you see an overly excited member that's just super excited to be here, greet them nicely. They waited a loooong time to make a simple post to the forum

Many members told me that our tapatalk mobile interface wasn’t working(properly). As of yesterday, it should be perfectly fine. I have the latest version of the software installed. Feel free to use it and let me know if there’s issue (please pm me). Many of you guys asked for “Advanced Search” option. I’m in the process of looking into that now. If it doesn’t pose any issue to the forum software or server, I will most certainly activate/turn on “advanced search”

I can not believe the Summer is over. It went by really fast. I hope everyone had a good and safe Summer. Sorry for a long post but as a member of the forum, I feel that you have the right to know what’s happening. Thanks for your support and patience. Continue to report posts and help us keep this forum drama free : )




PS: The Z has just passed over 79,xxx miles and it's running stronger than ever! Long live the Z

[Trips]

Thanks for the Update AK, and the work behind the scenes to help STOP the Spamming

[frost]

^--- reported as spammer

[sparky]

Thanks as well AK, your efforts are much appreciated.

[DIGItonium]

So these "banned" users can't log in anymore, right? I just wondered why some banned users were logged in and showing up as active.

[Trips]

Yes, Once you see BANNED? The spammer cannot continue to do anything anymore.

[DIGItonium]

Originally Posted by Trips

Yes, Once you see BANNED? The spammer cannot continue to do anything anymore.

Thanks. AK explained it to me. Happy to see things are under control now. Wish IT can do something better about the spam I get at work everyday. They bypass the filters and junk e-mail rules with new random domain names.

[Mr&Mrs]

Thanks for all the Hard work guys!

[Zoren 370]

I love to eat SPAM for breakfast!