View Full Version : Spam
resnikov
19-09-2011, 15:46
Is it better to report the spam and stay silent about so the thread does not get clogged up with messages of reporting the spam or is it better to report the spam and then post in the thread you have reported it ?
Harvestman
19-09-2011, 15:49
Have just reported some. No need to add to the thread. I just pm'ed every mod I could think of.
Is there another way to report it? I haven't done it before.
HillBill
19-09-2011, 15:50
Click the black triangle on the bottom left of the post, and follow the instructions
Harvestman
19-09-2011, 15:53
Thank you. I knew there was a way, but didn't know what it was. Much appreciated.
I've always wondered if the Mods get Pm'd every time somebody reports it, stating on the thread that it's been reported might save them getting another 10 PM's from other folk.
I think it's best to report it and then post in the thread that it's been reported so everyone else knows it's been taken care of. That should be enough to prevent multiple "reported as spam" posts.
My own understanding is that once someone reports spam there is no need for anyone else to report the same spammer. If no one states in a thread that they've reported spam then there is no way for anyone else to know that it's been reported and admin and Mods can end up receiving a deluge of reports.
However, I do enjoy partaking in a spam fritter :cool: ~ which is why I tend to use daft pics/gifs in place of saying 'spam reported' ;)
shaggystu
19-09-2011, 16:01
I've always wondered if the Mods get Pm'd every time somebody reports it, stating on the thread that it's been reported might save them getting another 10 PM's from other folk.
I think it's best to report it and then post in the thread that it's been reported so everyone else knows it's been taken care of. That should be enough to prevent multiple "reported as spam" posts.
exactly as shewie and bb07 have said. report the spam (using the little black triangle) and then reply in the thread with "reported as spam" or something similar so that other's can see that it's already been reported. that's always seemed the most sensible option to me
stuart
If you are the first to see it report it then add a reply saying 'Spam, reported' so other folk don't need to report or add replies.
Did someone say spam? I'm ravenous, must go sort that...
Thanks for that advice, I'd never noticed the wee black triangle before.
Liam
Hopefully OTT will chip in when he's finished exterminating the latest infection
Did someone say spam? I'm ravenous, must go sort that...
Thanks for that advice, I'd never noticed the wee black triangle before.
Liam
I don't know if the black triangle is mentioned anywhere in the forum how- to's, but if it's not then maybe it could be added so everyone is aware of how to report spam. Might save the mods some work.
Ogri the trog
19-09-2011, 16:20
Hmm he managed to get 9 posts onto the forum before his ban - that is I'm assuming it was a "He"!
We tend to get a couple each day, trying their luck. Sometimes they are easy to spot with a weird name or location like China, Russia etc (nothing against our members from those countries but they are few and far between).
Reporting it is as has been mentioned, via the triangle thingy - you can post a reply that it has been reported, which keeps that post near the top of any listing "but" can lure the spammer into discussion, which in turn raises his post count - beyond a certain number and it has to be forum admin to delete the account.
I know that Tony does his best to keep up to the latest and greatest security and protection but they are malicious enough to keep chancing their hand.
Thanks guys for keeping such a close eye on the forum, our job would be a lot harder if you didn't!
Ogri the trog
That's an interesting point about their post count Ogri, one to keep in mind next time I try to wind one of them up.
As a rule though they don't tend to engage in any conversation as they're too busy trying to reply to every thread on the forum.
Do you get a PM every time it's reported then?
Cyclingrelf
19-09-2011, 21:12
We've got a hidden forum, and all the reports get posted in there so we can see what needs doing.
Ogri the trog
19-09-2011, 22:54
Sorry for the delay guys, I've been out at Cadets
I think I know the number of posts but I don't want to post it on open forum as that might invite trouble.
There seem to be several types of spam chancer, those who join up and immediately begin posting replies to existing threads or creating new ones - sometimes word for word copied on a number of forums at the same time.
The crafty ones join up and post inane replies to get their post count up before heading for a dedicated spam attack.
The dangerous ones are those who do a blend of the two, posting large number of replies in short order, often in the dead of night so we have to sanitise the forum early in the morning.
The staff have talked about various ways of "authenticating" accounts before members are allowed to post, but it tends to feel very restrictive, certainly for accomplished Bushy types who feel the need to share their experiences.
I suppose it boils down to how much restriction you guys are willing to suffer against the freedom of the forum as it stands - we hope we have the balance right and if that means a few idiots get through once in a while, we're here to clean things up!
ATB
Ogri the trog
santaman2000
19-09-2011, 23:20
Personally I think the mods keep a pretty good check on things here. Occasionally I see spam here but it's cleaned up pretty quickly and in any case it's not really been a problem that I've seen. Just a minor annoyance every now and then.
geordienemisis
20-09-2011, 00:26
Hello all, I would like to ask "Spam" what does it mean to this forum? why do they do it and are they easy to spot,I'm by no means a computer genius but not really green. I am not that clued up on this spam carry'on. A little help for us forum beginners would be well appreciated as to how ,what ,why.
Sorry for asking such questions but its no good being unsure.
In a nutshell a spammer is somebody posting a link to a dodgy website usually, escort agencies, cell phones fake fashion goods etc etc.
They create an account and then reply to as many threads as possible before the Mods exterminate them :)
Nobody ever actually clicks on the links but if they do it on as many forums as they can, chances are somebody somewhere will actually fall for it. Some get rewarded for you actually opening their web link, most just do it as a form of free advertising.
They stand out when you see them, it's usually garbled nonsense with lots of links to their website.
Can I add my tuppence halfpenny worth and say, " Thank You ", to every one who takes the trouble to report the spam :D
The system is set up so that even multiple reports, on a particular thread, end up in a specific thread in the Mods, so don't fret about reporting something or not. Just do it and one of us will deal with it as soon as we can.
I wish we could find a way to make that wee warning triangle a bit more noticeable though.
I sometimes wonder why the spammers think that a British bushcraft site is a good target for handbags and glitzy watches :dunno: that are of absolutely no use outdoors ? :rolleyes: and asian escort agencies, like we trip over them in the woods ??
Now if they were selling cheap tarps and hammocks......nah, we'd just tell them how carp they were :D
cheers,
M
Yeah, I second the thank you goodjob all.
if there's spam just report it, don't worry if anyone else has reported it, if the same post is reported the reports all drop into the same thread so that's not a huge issue, if someone has posted 6 spam posts and they all get reported there will be 6 separate threads reporting that individual but we have the means of deleting all their posts and banning them in one foul swoop which is very convenient.
We do not get individual PM's sent out to us by the system, we used to get emails but I turned it off as there's usually enough mods about to handle anything that comes up and on the odd occasion i've always had a call or an email from someone if it needs acting on urgently.
over all it's worked very well and continues to do so. The key to that though is you guys reporting the posts, you do a great job at it and long may it continue :D
geordienemisis
20-09-2011, 10:33
Thanks for the advice guy's, Its easy to say you understand when you ain't got a clue. I feel a bit more informed now.
I for one think you have the balance right - we very seldomly see spam on here but I'm sure that is as much due to the swift work of the mods here as to the lack of spam posts!
goodjob all you mods and admins for keeping the site on track and keeping us clear of that hammy temptress!
I for one think you have the balance right - we very seldomly see spam on here but I'm sure that is as much due to the swift work of the mods here as to the lack of spam posts!
goodjob all you mods and admins for keeping the site on track and keeping us clear of that hammy temptress!
Hear! Hear! From a simple poster's point of view I think this site has it right. So long as the mods aren't being overwhelmed by spammers (and it sounds like they aren't) then I think it should be left as is. But if the mods are having to deal with more than they want to, then I'm happy for Tony and the mods to put in place whatever they feel is necessary.
Graham