OK, what's with the idiot spammer(s)?

[Sieggy]

Either that or 'bot filter. Personally, I'd go with the 'bot filter first, and if spam is still getting through, then set up a "3 clicks and it's gone" spamkiller button.

[BLANDCorporatio]

At the moment, this is what the website displays:

Congratulations to: 04LZhal (42), MigBisida (41), Balmadyzhit (30), Etugaeeva (26), 5sextoyo (26), wemsanny (25), BloorkadvomyagekAgon (25), Pmpbxiwunavpt (24), emupsitmemo (23), Ameptvomo (23), Apesjoips (23), FriendHayden (22), SpeageSpinnaCon (22), FriendAnna (22), FriendDevin (22), Choolypereeeordd (22), Choolypereexjsre (22), PageDenoappoxia (22), Choolypereekwcdn (22)

I've bolded names I suspect are accounts set up for spam purposes (NOTE: at the time of this post there is no ACTUAL indication that those are spam accounts, so this is a bit abusive in that it violates presumption of innocence; but I don't act on it, much, so it's ok, mostly).

Shite. It almost looks like the spambots outnumber the actual users.

EDIT: heck, let's act on my suspicion. Let's look at the bolded names.

wemsanny: posts 0.

Interests:

внутриматочная спираль после кесарева сосет член в презервативе перед месячными базальная температура падает вмс спираль с серебром можно ли забеременить через презерватив

which Google Translates to

IUDs after cesarean sucks dick in a condom before menstruation basal temperature drops with silver spiral IUD is it possible to get pregnant after the condom

I predict funtimes.

04LZhal: posts 0

Occupation: slave collar bdsm free extreme bdsm videos
Interests: bdsm slave tattoos collar me bdsm

I predict funner times.

Etugaeva: posts 0

Occupation/Interests (via Google translate): laying of engineering networks.

Hm, maybe I was wrong about this one.

5sextoyo: posts 0

Occupation/Interests: vibromasseur

I'm prepared to extend the benefit of the doubt to this one too, but I'm not clicking that URL to see whether there's malware there.

Pmpbxiwunavpt: posts 0

Location: Pharmatex, Occupation: Navity (?), Interests: Assizer (?), url is suspiciously like a malware site.

Med alert on this one.

emupsitmemo: posts 0

Interests: Exotic Escorts, (address and phone number scrubbed)

The fun never ceases.

Ameptvomo: posts 0

Claims occupation to be in telecom, and URL is some "hidden deals" for supposedly telephony.

Hm. Maybe legit, probably not.

Apesjoips: posts 0

Profile info is blank.

Well cannot condemn that.

FriendHayden and FriendDevin (applies to both): posts 0

URL is something about cheap designer dresses.

Gotta look smart for all the fun time above.

FriendAnna: posts 0

URL is something about selecting jewelry cases.

Looking dapperer and dapperer.

Choolypereeeordd, Choolypereexjsre, Choolypereekwcdn (applies to all three): posts 0

Claims Bahrain location, but a .ru URL ...

... I still suspect Spam, if only for the fact that "Chooly" appears in too many names.

EDIT, continued:

checking the general gaming forum (currently overrun by spam) revealed that SpeageSpinnaCon, not initially in my suspects list, is in fact a spammer.

[Beeskee]

Buy more. Buy more now. Buy, and be happy.

[drachefly]

A blatant spam topic has been sitting in this forum for 42 hours.

[BLANDCorporatio]

Somewhat atypically, the Reactions forum itself is now covered in spam.

Here's a sample.

web online sex dating lavplanet female domination pegging There are the windows to watch the neighbors for dinner. If you see a head sitting at the table, the herald himself that future family members will all be alive, but if they see the heads, then the relatives should take place misfortune. prostate massage and masturbation contraceptive Jesse price swimwear online Where are your turn green dawn, drawn to moisture. Little girls are babies you ever saw it long and sunflowers on them. His face was slightly pock-marked with a Well - fell asleep, well, evil shouted some obscure battle are not going to take. Tell him - dad. You know the - forty - said Mishka, no. From our girl babies Regiment. The girls shone babies behind. - Who are you. - Porn whores shlyushnih teacher, was fast asleep that long-haired girl babies are abandoned pen. - So, would not Kate, know that. Before the first use of an antiseptic product to be processed for example, a solution of chlorhexidine or miramistin or grease that contains the antiseptic, and then rinse with warm water and soap. Before and after using the product should also be cleaned with warm soapy water. Category: Traditionally, Case, Romance, Fantasy, Kink, erotic tale, Classic Female clitoris synonyms: clitoris, an organ sekel women sexual feelings. He is immature penis I do not touch it and sit in a chair, - said my father, stopping in the middle of the room .- Now let's see the video and call the police.

Which would be funny, what with the nonsensical juxtapositions and all, if it didn't sound actually illegal. What are "babies" doing in that paragraph on kinky vids anyway?

[drachefly]

Spaminators. We needs them. I'm not asking for the job, though I wouldn't shirk it. I'd trust any of the regulars not to risk their accounts blasting anything that wasn't blatant spam.

Incidentally, a spammer in 'what would happen if…' made a very good attempt to be on topic, but could not overcome the insurmountable difficulty inherent in on-topic spamming.

[BLANDCorporatio]

The thread should be renamed. Because either I'm paranoid, or the spammers have got very very clever.

See, I keep seeing Happy Birthday to Friend, uhm, Devin, lets say. Yeah, FriendDevin. There's many FriendSomeone accounts around, so I may be wrong, but it looks like some people move their birthdays around.

Also, today I see Happy Birthday to EconyGanceGom, who claims to be a Canadian, 23yrs old, of occupation retail and interests cooking. I guess those recipies are recipies for cock though, judging by the URL they've put in their profile. Oh, at the moment they have 0 posts.

So here's the short of it. Either I'm paranoid, or spammers are registering to the site not to actually post, but have webcrawlers pass through the links in their profiles. Which they can make visible by, among other things, appearing in the Happy Birthday list.

[BLANDCorporatio]

F it, I'll keep a record of birthday lists from now on.

Today's reads:

(EDITED for inclusion of new names)

Congratulations to: Neudgeassaugs (39), digitalpants10onen (36), Advaredelay (34), Stupepelt (30), GofImavaReissevesBib (26), 1seoservicee (26), Immomemug (25), Skkyrmrhxyber (25), GrishaMezen (24), Gupyibulleype (24), FriendJoshua (24), coumnimmind (23), EconyGanceGom (23), FriendWilliam (23), Clagopep (22), FriendKate (22), slisybog (22), HeineeBreadia (22)

Of these, only Neudgeassaugs, Clagopep and (arguably) Gupyibulleype don't have suspicious links in their profiles.

Several of the posters listed have registered this week.

I'm telling you, there are more "bots" than legitimate posters here.

EDIT:

HeineeBreadia (22) just joined, on their birthday. No suspicious links though.

[BLANDCorporatio]

(Further updates to the Birthday lists will appear in edits on the same message).

Here is the list of Happy Birthdays for 29th September:

Biomekanic (44), Clagopep (25), Ephepudge (25), Kraslibbb (25), Aroneekeerbdib (23), acceneili (22), GlocKHaft (22), orefoteommeds (22)

I did, I did see a putty cat!

EDIT: September 30th.

Congratulations to: tikilovegod (36), LerInnoreBook (26), wallplabe (25), forereref (25), pextKineemymn (24), tideTierO (24), opporgegluromum (24), HerbalsSupplements (24), FriendDrew (23), Purbemembetry (22), FriendBrooklyn (22), Dave Rapp (21)

HerbalsSupplements already started spamming.

Also we have this post.

Please Ban Me! Please Ban Me!

Please Ban Me

Please Ban Me Please Ban Me Please Ban Me Please Ban Me

Ask and ye shall receive?

EDIT: October 1st.

Congratulations to: opporgegluromum (26), smearmacoax (25), ImmersTed (25), Clagopep (24), Crovius (23), everydayzz (23), uncennaCony (23), Avespam (22), JamSmiths (22), DrSandraVann (22)

Of these, I recognize Crovius as an actual, erstwhile active poster. So HB Crovius!

Also, I notice that it's still Clagopep's birthday. I suspect it's just a joke account though.

opporgegluromum also seems to celebrate two birthdays, and has aged a whopping 2 years since the previous one, barely two days ago.

EDIT: October 2nd:

Congratulations to: Groonseanipseti9 (31), averywbsherman (26), opporgegluromum (25), Nqlvvcwf (25), dendtyncUnole (24), FagimNui (24), prietrelf (24), Thypedyewstet (24), PseumnHassapee (24), PreeneOrgalse (23), VerWrirlVEd (23), cifsenvipapse (23), carpinteyroepv (22)

(sampled later)

Congratulations to: Groonseanipseti9 (31), Clagopep (26), averywbsherman (26), Nqlvvcwf (25), dendtyncUnole (24), FagimNui (24), prietrelf (24), Thypedyewstet (24), PseumnHassapee (24), PreeneOrgalse (23), VerWrirlVEd (23), cifsenvipapse (23), noksEndofferak (22), carpinteyroepv (22)

Looks like opporgegluromum is now aging backwards. And clagopep has dutifully changed their birthday again.

EDIT: October 3rd:

Congratulations to: FupFalsRewadase (28), AIDECYCAPED (26), Ozazbimt (26), FriendClaire (25), Clagopep (25), EMONNALARVE (25), BoummaMar (25), FriendBlake (25), FriendAddison (25), destinywngarcía (25), dejkbvhs (24), DyedaySem (23), 7manux (23), 10manud (23), Invororoate (22), evanvlewis (22)

Clagopep is still celebrating their birthday. Must've been one hell of a delivery.

EDIT: October 4th:

Congratulations to: mobilecasino2072 (49), Tearegype (26), FriendIsabelle (25), opporgegluromum (25), Osciscapy (25), Cajonesbigonea (24), uncennaCony (24), OMITTEMOUFF (24), Theammafleeve (23), FetevavaPlamn (23), FriendPaige (23), 9manuk (23), seerlytraus (22), FriendAlexandra (22), aponeCox (22)

I see Clagopep's birthday is finally over. Poor Ms Clagopep must've had a rough several days bringing in this specimen into the world. Hopefully they'll cure cancer and achieve world peace with that big brain of theirs.

EDIT: October 5th:

Congratulations to: SurfingHalfOrc (46), Toolbreaker (39), noksEndofferak (26), TidaFossibbob (26), ShannaPhess (26), detwovhs (25), antiqueslove (25), gkoeookooy (24), LucasFaber (24), FriendMax (24), Vawaduppy (23), BizBeambNiz (22), opporgegluromum (22), garrypenikken (22)

Yep, appears Clagopep's birthday is over.

EDIT: October 6th:

Congratulations to: opporgegluromum (25), sitepissect (25), FriendLayla (25), Clagopep (24), GantexaspLawicentef (24), Doaycykz (24), BizBeambNiz (22), 10smartclice (22)

Or maybe not.

EDIT: October 7th:

Congratulations to: katrinmoon (50), RiyaButler (45), Supagoof (34), Limiate (32), FriendDevin (26), noksEndofferak (24), Viammepema (24), Clagopep (23), Saistpoinia (23), Nywydduk (23)

EDIT: October 8th:

Congratulations to: pepPraini (37), bryden42 (35), Mainnamoina (35), Viammepema (26), Writlecirty (26), Clagopep (25), dkrshopru (24), payosseEmorry (23), 7sejourcapitall (23), opporgegluromum (22), Shados (20)

EDIT: October 9th:

Congratulations to: gbprime (42), Tharvekahwt (28), heetballish (26), Choolypereefshsp (25), Galcomymili (24), opporgegluromum (23), Pymnamums (23), banybebiker (23), hebyignobTemiirrenny (22), melanielujames (22)

I was beginning to miss members of the Chooly clan. Hm, Clagopep's not on the list, which means I probably sampled it too early. Oh well.

Some words of wisdon from opporgegluromum's interests:

The formula for complete happiness payday loans no credit check is to be very busy with the unimportant.

EDIT: October 10th:

Congratulations to: envexinossida (42), gobbcantimihraro (39), altourlene (39), gardenstore (37), chigshughex (26), Cipopinee (25), opporgegluromum (25), Eoszntlm (25), Clagopep (24), Drurseric (24), adprugjgjt (22)

EDIT: October 11th:

Congratulations to: GeTep38 (48), Fignasty (37), LeawbattafRek (26), Choolypereemhngi (26), Choolypereegddnz (26), FOTEASLOPE (24), Clagopep (24), twetlydibetease (24), RedRhync (24), Neestysit (24), beernirty (24), guybrovhs (24), 8repeindres (23), AlesqueNeuppy (23), Zlfydszz (22)

[MarbitChow]

"Avespam"? If that's randomly generated, they may want to filter out dead give-aways...

[BLANDCorporatio]

Shockingly, the (at the time of this writing) only post by Avespam turned out to be spam.

Anyway, just got back from the General Gaming forum, or should I say Designated Spam Area (will come back to this). It was awash with spam, and I went through all first x topics, reporting each and every, for spam. The mods sure will be happy to find their Inbox pestered with a bazillion reports ...

I do check, whenever I log in, any forum where I see a name I don't recognize*. This has resulted in a flood of spam reports from me lately. But I've been thinking, is there a way to monetize spam? Supposedly, the deluge of links is not meant for humans, but search engine crawlers, the idea being to boost some website's ranking. Ok, fine, that's almost like advertising and should be paid for accordingly. That said, should and is are different things and there's no way that I see this idea being workable. For one, crawlers would go to links that legitimate posters post too, for instance, to some blog or photobucket. Who gets charged for that crawler hit? And how can the websites being linked to even be charged in the first place?

So yes, apparently terminally stupid. Pity. Would have been nice to have a "let's all get along" solution, with a Designated Spam area that all forumites ignore (which the General Gaming forum appears to be). Kinda like that wonderful idea, "Vandalize the Wikipedia Chicken article. And only the Wikipedia Chicken article".

EDIT: *: hah, I appear to have missed the Movies and Television spammer.

[balder]

I just dealt with them all. It was like clearing brush on the ranch. Weirdly relaxing in its mindless simplicity.

Thanks for flagging stuff, BLAND. Back to more brain-bending work...

[BLANDCorporatio]

You're welcome. Hah, almost makes spam worthwhile as a moment of R&R for the Powers that Be.

As long as there's not too much of the linky junk

[BLANDCorporatio]

"Avespam"? If that's randomly generated, they may want to filter out dead give-aways...

Right now, the newest member to the site is dentaladzz. Who may turn out to be a legitimate poster, and offended by my implication otherwise (sorry!). But more likely not.

[Sieggy]

At least he's being toothful about it . . .

[drachefly]

One much more modest change I'd suggest - please switch the first two options on the 'report post' form's pulldown, and default notification to 'no'.

[BLANDCorporatio]

One much more modest change I'd suggest - please switch the first two options on the 'report post' form's pulldown, and default notification to 'no'.

I'm stealing this and planting it in the Suggestions forum.

[Sieggy]

Something I notice is that with great regularity if I look to see who's online at the moment, it's somebody's bot - as I post, both Yahoo and Google's bots are logged on. Could this be the source of the targeting the spammers are using, and would blocking them perhaps reduce the constant spam being posted? I will admit to not being tech savvy enough to be fully aware of their function, but given the unsavory marketing practices of both companies, what benefit is to be derived from allowing bots access to the site, and what potential liabilities are there?

[BLANDCorporatio]

BLAND's journal, October 12th 20 11.

Congratulations to: annmclee (51), John Campbell (37), ovaftellaactilsUnlom (26), opporgegluromum (25), Osciscapy (24), chigshughex (24), Tdkqqtjp (24), uncoonMak (23), Peerralia (23), Queueffip (22), dmscymgycy (22)

This forum is afraid of me. I have seen its true face. Threads are extended gutters and the gutters are filled with spam and when the drains finally scab over all the bots will drown. The accumulated filth of all their hentai and wow gold will foam up above their waists and all the escorts and cheap credit shills will look up and shout "click us!". And I'll look down and whisper

'no'.

Stood in CRT light, sweltering grease stain on chest like map of rancid new continent. Felt focused, felt dark planet turn under my feet and knew what cats know that makes them scream like babies in the night. Looked at member list through eyes heavy with tamine wind-down, and no one was there. The cold, suffocating bots go on forever and humans are none. This rudderless forum is not moved by wide-eyed committed fans, it is not people who post the writings, not people that make illustrations or aspiring writers that make fanfic for them.

It's bots. Only bots...

[drachefly]

Rorschach?