Author Topic: How to handle an invasion (Read 19890 times)

karent · « **Reply #70 on:** June 14, 2011, 08:51:16 PM »

Something is different. I logged in about five hours ago with my laptop on the dining table, and through the evening I keep walking by the computer. As I've gotten more obsessed with this (yeah, I know, like the spammers I guess I lead a dull life) I keep checking the new posts. In the last five or so hours, I believe I've caught at least half a dozen new spam messages. I also noticed a new member name that seemed unusual so clicked on it, and found they listed a website that, when I clicked further, turned out to be a nude women site run by a man in Sierra Leone. I am often on this site at odd hours, and I've seen a reasonable amount of the spam, and I've been on here more than usual lately, but this is more than I've ever noticed. If there is anything else we can do, I don't know what it is, but gee whiz. Why would anyone want to fool with us? A bunch of sewists who critique the ability of the thread count of sheets to screen out dust mites are probably not going to buy Reeboks off a random website. For Pete's sake. K

Yeah, Janis, I just looked. At 12:30am EST there are 12 users online and 94 guests?

karent · « **Reply #71 on:** June 14, 2011, 10:15:12 PM »

I need to just go to bed, but this is bugging me just because I tend to obsess over things I can't figure out. We could be a target in a game. I am a bit of an insomniac, couldn't sleep so have been goofing on the computer. Couldn't let this lie, so I have been looking at the websites of all these new members (at least the ones who have listed websites) and also email addresses. There are some who registered with one name, then listed an email as another name, also registered. The websites are all over the map, but when I tried to find a common thread I'm wondering if this is a cybergame aimed at attacking certain target sites in a kind of internet swarm. OK, I'm off to bed, just tossed that out. K

DragonLady · « **Reply #72 on:** June 14, 2011, 10:28:16 PM »

Apparently, the world has built a better spammer

To answer the question asked earlier, bumping topics during a full-on invasion keeps the invaders from having as much "voice" as they would other wise. But back when I started this topic, invasions were usually a huge group that hit all at once, together, and left the same way.

Now, spammers are targetting every site they can get into all day everyday. Partly because spam isn't paying as well as it used to; more and more people are beginning to understand that when they buy products or services they see advertised in spam, they get more spam...and that is making spammers (who don't want to have to stand up and find real jobs) more desperate than ever.

Also, Google has recently changed it's algorithm again, giving more weight to links inside forums and blog posts...so now we have a new generation of spammers just here to plug in a link, and hope it gets spidered before it gets deleted.

I have no idea right now what to do to bring this under control; but as always I'll be doing everything I can.

vtmartha · « **Reply #73 on:** June 15, 2011, 03:31:01 AM »

Thanks for the directions to the birthday list. My 'home page' is the unread topics one so I never think to go anyplace else.

I think I recall hearing that my DSD's DH used to write spam for a living. And he's a well-respected, highly educated type. I was a little skeptical then and even more so now - I couldn't ask him about it again without an accusatory tone so I guess I best not.

I wish I could remember what he told me the point was.

fzxdoc · « **Reply #74 on:** June 15, 2011, 04:03:27 AM »

Quote from: vtmartha on June 15, 2011, 03:31:01 AM

I wish I could remember what he told me the point was.

Besides annoying folks?

Kathryn

vtmartha · « **Reply #75 on:** June 15, 2011, 05:12:11 AM »

Kathryn, I'm sure whatever his reason was, I would interpret just as you have.

sdBev · « **Reply #76 on:** June 16, 2011, 09:55:45 AM »

Quote from: vtmartha on June 15, 2011, 05:12:11 AM

Kathryn, I'm sure whatever his reason was, I would interpret just as you have.

The SPAM I first remember, was really about advertising. It was "junk mail" in email format. I still get a lot of that in my email account. But lately, I've seen more massive troll behavior. I mean just joining and posting to be annoying or stir up discension. What's with that?

Pina · « **Reply #77 on:** June 16, 2011, 01:52:28 PM »

ejvc · « **Reply #78 on:** June 17, 2011, 02:39:30 AM »

These spammers never sleep.

fzxdoc · « **Reply #79 on:** June 17, 2011, 04:33:09 AM »

Personally, as an admin, I find bump posts to be distracting. When I first log on, I go to "all unread posts" and scan down the list of last posts on the far right. As soon as I see a post by a member whose name I don't recognize, I zoom in on it. Most often it's a spammer. So I get busy with the banning/deleting posts job. I usually ban the bad guy and then list his posts on a single page and delete them one by one.

But if the post has been bumped, then it takes me longer to find the spammer. I assume there is nothing wrong and proceed to go through all the new posts in an orderly manner. Sometimes I don't get through all the new posts in a single sitting so the spammer could stay hidden until the next time I or another admin/mod reads that topic. The reason the spammer's post stays hidden is that the bump post appears as the last new post on that topic. The spammer's post no longer the last new post on the topic, because the bump post has hidden it.

Also, once I have already deleted the spammers posts, I still have to go to all of the topics that have been bumped to read any new posts. Those topics show up with new posts in them. Reading topic after topic with "bump" posts only as the new posts takes additional time as well. Remember that we admins/mods try to read every single post.

So for me, as an admin, it's better not to bump, but to click on that "report to moderator" button. That's always a good heads up for us.

I don't know how the other admins/mod feel about bumping, but as I said, for me, it makes sleuthing out the bad guys a bit more time consuming.

I appreciate the efforts of our members to help out with bumping posts, your hearts are in the right place, that's for sure

. But personally, I'd rather have a "report to mod" notice.

And finally, just because a spammer has posted on a topic shouldn't stop anyone from posting on that topic after the spammer if they have something to say about the topic, ignoring the spammer of course.

Thanks,
Kathryn

ejvc · « **Reply #80 on:** June 17, 2011, 05:09:13 AM »

Thanks for clarifying, Kathryn. We want to make it easy for you and the other mods.

Elizabeth

fzxdoc · « **Reply #81 on:** June 17, 2011, 05:12:53 AM »

Quote from: ejvc on June 17, 2011, 05:09:13 AM

Thanks for clarifying, Kathryn. We want to make it easy for you and the other mods.

Elizabeth

I know that, Elizabeth, you all are such good members! You make our jobs easier every day by your continued vigilance. You all are the best.

Kathryn

DragonLady · « **Reply #82 on:** June 17, 2011, 06:37:47 AM »

Quote

But if the post has been bumped, then it takes me longer to find the spammer.

I agree. Waaay back when, bumping wasn't a problem because the spam posts stood out. We didn't have that many members, the posts were more easily discernible, and there just wasn't as many.

Now, bumping just buries them, and it takes much longer to find them when scrolling through.

gaylee1949 · « **Reply #83 on:** June 17, 2011, 09:51:22 AM »

Not having seen an explanation, would someone please define a "bump" for me? Thanks.

Gail D.

fzxdoc · « **Reply #84 on:** June 17, 2011, 10:21:01 AM »

Hi Gail. Read this to learn about bumping.

HTH,
Kathryn

Zalin · « **Reply #85 on:** June 17, 2011, 10:59:40 AM »

I'm so glad you clarified the "bump." That's why I specifically asked this question a couple of days ago. But nobody suggested NOT to do it. As a matter of fact, I was under the impression that it was a helpful idea. I bumped a whole bunch yesterday (the SPAMMER was hitting all threads at the time and still on-line), but I also reported the poster.

I will continue to report and NOT bump.

karent · « **Reply #86 on:** June 17, 2011, 11:43:36 AM »

Thanks for clarifying the bump. Seems like a year or two ago, we had some pornographically titled spam, and some of that was bumped just to get the gawdawful titles off the new post list. Yesterday or the day before, though, I noticed a time or two that people who have been around for a while got their posts bumped. I don't know the reason, and thankfully somebody jumped in and posted back to them, but I would hate for overreaction to run off legitimate members, especially when it does no good but bury spammers and make them harder to find. On a more personal note, and this is just sour grapes on my part (but does happen) I was annoyed that I thought I had a bit of a lead on what was happening. I posted on one of the threads about the invasion, and got bumped twice. I ended up sending a message to the mods via a mod reporting thingie, and I may have been wrong anyway, and I was already frustrated by being told I might better use my time making a tea cozy (it's ok, I'm over that now) but the bumping just irritated me more. OK, that's off my chest.

K

Pina · « **Reply #87 on:** June 17, 2011, 12:05:33 PM »

Karent,I came online very late last night,the spammer was online at the same time,posting all over.It was not my intention at all to create more work for DL and the Mods ! ! !

I was trying to move the spam down the list here "View the most recent posts on the forum". I don't think I accidentally bumped any of your posts,please correct me if I'm wrong ! If I did,I apologize !

fzxdoc · « **Reply #88 on:** June 17, 2011, 01:57:29 PM »

As DL said, bumping was a great thing back when we had few posters and fewer spammers. But now, with the spammer invasion, bumping actually causes us admins/mod to respond more slowly than we normally would. Maybe that's the price of success, I don't know.

I just want to make sure that no one's feelings are hurt by our request to cease with the bumping posts. They worked at one time, but the new spammers are trying other methods. Your all's help in the past has been invaluable. Now we'll just have to figure out another way to get around these spammer pests!

Thanks again for all your help,
Kathryn

DragonLady · « **Reply #89 on:** June 17, 2011, 02:12:41 PM »

Yes; please do understand that we do appreciate all of your efforts. It's just that we're now dealing with new tactics, and our own strategies are going to have to change so we can counter them.

SuziQz · « **Reply #90 on:** June 17, 2011, 02:33:20 PM »

DL - What is the difference between the "report to moderator" link and the "notify" button? Well, I don't really need to know any technical difference, but I want to make sure that clicking on the "report to moderator" link is the easiest way to let you hard-working spam removers remove spam.

DragonLady · « **Reply #91 on:** June 17, 2011, 03:11:27 PM »

The "notify" button will tell you every time someone posts to a topic. You don't want to do that with spam.

SuziQz · « **Reply #92 on:** June 17, 2011, 06:30:32 PM »

Thanks - you are sure right about that.

sdBev · « **Reply #93 on:** June 17, 2011, 08:50:52 PM »

Quote from: fzxdoc link=topic=178.msg227850#msg227850 date=1308310389.., I'd rather have a "report to mod" notice...[/quote

I like that one too. Numerous times I've reported a post with the phrase "what does this have to do with..." The mods seem to agree that it doesn't have anything with the topic, but is still relevant to SG because they move the post to a more appropriate area. I don't embarrass myself with an un??? post and the sender's post is moved to a more appropriate area. More and more often, I see my irritated "what does this have to do..." end up banning a poster. I'm rather sorry that the latter is happening (i.e. more troll and spam posters), but still glad to have not made a fool of myself beyond the admins.

sewsy · « **Reply #94 on:** June 18, 2011, 05:15:43 AM »

I'm glad to read what the mods think about the "bump" strategy. I've been doing that lately when I see a post that isn't "friendly". However, before I do the "bump"

I make sure and hit the "report to moderators" link so that the mods have a heads up about the post in question, and don't have to go sifting through entire threads. Having read the recent comments, it seems more prudent to just leave the posts and let the mods take care of them. What they need is what I'll do! Thanks for your vigilance, moderators!!!

ejvc · « **Reply #95 on:** June 19, 2011, 02:56:58 AM »

OMFG how I hate these posts. Thank you thank you thank you mods.

Zalin · « **Reply #96 on:** June 21, 2011, 07:08:46 AM »

Wow, we were just hammered by someone selling prescription drugs. There's a post in every category. The message is actually personal as in "artisansquare recommends."

I have noticed that these posters seem to hit when there are no moderators showing as being on-line. Is it possible to make it look like one of you is on-line even if none of you are? Like a fake security camera in a store.

sewsy · « **Reply #97 on:** June 21, 2011, 07:30:46 AM »

Thanks Mods!!!! GeeWillikers!!! (my DM used to say that) You ladies are fast, efficient, and wonderful.

fzxdoc · « **Reply #98 on:** June 21, 2011, 07:31:16 AM »

Zalin, it happens when we are online as well. Sometimes I finish reading a topic and come back to the Unread Topics page to find a dozen or more spam posts. They're quick. I just banned that guy and deleted all of his posts.

Thanks, sewsy. Just doing the job.

Kathryn

Karendee · « **Reply #99 on:** June 21, 2011, 11:52:08 AM »

Thanks for all the hard work you administrators and moderators do for us. We all appreciate it.

Karen

Patti B · « **Reply #100 on:** June 21, 2011, 12:01:55 PM »

Wow, this was the first real invasion I had seen -- prolific little beasties, aren't they? I'll just add my thanks to the mods for quick eyes and fingers!

Zalin · « **Reply #101 on:** June 21, 2011, 03:37:18 PM »

Sorry, Kathryn, I hadn't noticed that. Has anyone ever sent an IM to these people when they are on-line? I'm always tempted to ask them what they are thinking.

fzxdoc · « **Reply #102 on:** June 21, 2011, 04:25:42 PM »

No, I've never done that Zalin. But nothing gives me more pleasure than to ban these pests while they are in the midst of their spamming spree.

Kathryn

misschris · « **Reply #103 on:** June 21, 2011, 04:32:35 PM »

Quote from: Zalin on June 21, 2011, 03:37:18 PM

I'm always tempted to ask them what they are thinking.

They get paid to do this. Unfortunately, it's all the motivation some people need.

karent · « **Reply #104 on:** June 21, 2011, 05:07:45 PM »

Quote from: Zalin on June 21, 2011, 03:37:18 PM

I'm always tempted to ask them what they are thinking.

I don't know if you are joking or not Zalin, but don't do it. I would be very surprised if any of them are paying any attention to the IM system, but the last thing you want is to be in some spammer's message list with a REPLY button attached to your name!

K

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Author Topic: How to handle an invasion (Read 19890 times)