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A Possible Solution to Spam Bots - Printable Version

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A Possible Solution to Spam Bots - DoctorFinkle - 05-10-2020

I have been thinking about writing this thread for a couple of weeks now, but after waking up to THIS BS:
[Image: Screenshot-2020-05-10-at-6-18-54-AM-3.png]

I figured the time has come.

What if new members' posts had to be approved before being becoming public? Agarioforums is very small right now, and well over 95% of posts are spam anyway, so I do not think this would be much of a burden on the anti-spam team. Maybe after making a certain number of posts, an account would no longer need approval. I do not know if the bots would be able to bypass such a system, but I just wanted put this idea out there.

Also, if you click on Members you will see a load of these bots, just sitting there like eggs just waiting to hatch. Could a feature be added where users can report another user's profile before they post anything and put them on a watchlist? I can usually tell if an account is a bot at first glance by its gibberish username.

Also, it does not matter who you are, 73 threads in 9 hours is never necessary. @perfectionist185 is going at it and there are no signs of stopping. I do not think that the amount of time between posts should be limited, but many posts in a short amount of time should at least put that user on a watchlist.

It sucks that it has gotten to this point, but these bots are thirsty for web traffic, and if they try to achieve this by shitposting Viagra ads on a forum for a blob game, then they do not deserve one damn penny.


RE: A Possible Solution to Spam Bots - QueenHeather - 05-10-2020

This is definitely a sound idea, but I’m worried that it may cause more backlash than help. We have some times had multiple members online having a conversation in a thread, with no moderators online. In that case, they may become frustrated that nobody is online to approve their posts. And we already have members constantly requesting pm replies in the shoutbox Tongue
I remember when I first created my account, I had to talk in the shoutbox (5?) times before I was able to post or create a thread. I’m not sure if that’s still the case, but if not that system could help deter bots again.
Either way, this is a good idea for @Sora to ponder!


RE: A Possible Solution to Spam Bots - DoctorFinkle - 05-10-2020

(05-10-2020, 04:20 PM)QueenHeather Wrote: This is definitely a sound idea, but I’m worried that it may cause more backlash than help. We have some times had multiple members online having a conversation in a thread, with no moderators online. In that case, they may become frustrated that nobody is online to approve their posts. And we already have members constantly requesting pm replies in the shoutbox Tongue
I remember when I first created my account, I had to talk in the shoutbox (5?) times before I was able to post or create a thread. I’m not sure if that’s still the case, but if not that system could help deter bots again.
Either way, this is a good idea for @Sora to ponder!

I see you updated you profile pic. It looks very nice! Smile


RE: A Possible Solution to Spam Bots - QueenHeather - 05-10-2020

(05-10-2020, 05:02 PM)DoctorFinkle Wrote: I see you updated you profile pic. It looks very nice! Smile

Thanks! It’s an old painting that I turned into my custom Agma skin, so I figured I’d have it match on the forums  Rolleyes


RE: A Possible Solution to Spam Bots - Squirrel - 05-10-2020

(05-10-2020, 12:13 PM)DoctorFinkle Wrote: I have been thinking about writing this thread for a couple of weeks now, but after waking up to THIS BS:

Yes, in the hours 00:00-08:00 EST there can be a rather prolific number of these posts.

The people that remove them do try to be around for that purpose, but are not always available.

I kind of like the idea that a members first 5 posts need to be approved. The people who write spam scripts are not going to be likely to hire a sweatshop to take new accounts, and post 5 legitimate replies for something so that they can use it and waste it some morning posting ads.

I would support that sort of an idea!

That said, I also agree with Heather. We would like to be as welcoming, and as inclusive to all people who come by! The Forums are already a software that many find unfamiliar, and a bit confusing, so it's a good idea to make it as simple as possible to post something.


RE: A Possible Solution to Spam Bots - Breakfast - 05-11-2020

I also remember that a couple of years ago there was an idea of adding a captcha to make a thread. But that would take a while to find the correct plugin available for the forum and Sora does spend more time on the development of Agma


RE: A Possible Solution to Spam Bots - Squirrel - 05-11-2020

(05-11-2020, 03:59 PM)Breakfast Wrote: I also remember that a couple of years ago there was an idea of adding a captcha to make a thread. But that would take a while to find the correct plugin available for the forum and Sora does spend more time on the development of Agma

Sora tried this solution, and the bots already had software added that were easily able to bypass the Captchas. It was annoying the people more so than the bots!!!

Sad