Operational changes for spam
 

In recent weeks the spam problem has been getting worse and worse. At this point, more accounts are started for spamming than for legitimate purposes. Most of these accounts are started from third-world or near, using every single free email domain they can find. They are almost certainly paid some tiny amount per post.

I have been quietly fighting them by deleting the really obvious ones, such as those coming from Russia or China with usernames like "viagraseller" or "freexbox".

Unfortunately we can't prevent people from using BB codes to create links on a per-user basis.

So, I'd like to put in the following changes:

1) Prevent all new registered users from creating their own new threads. Whatever set of instructions the paid spammers are using, tells them to create a new thread when they manage to get in. At the very least, this would stop this set.

2) All current users are promoted to a new usergroup "Confirmed". This group is allowed to post new threads.

3) When a new user writes 5 posts of any kind, they are automatically promoted to "Confirmed" by the forum software.

4) Merely-registered users can also be prevented from using Private Messaging, just for safety's sake.

what say you

Aye sir

and thank you for keeping this place as spam-free as it is

Good idea. I'm sure I've never seen a spammer make 5 pre-spam, non-thread posts.

When a new user tries to post a thread, he'll see the message explaining this pop up? I assume?
(Of course, at this point he already hasn't read the rules where you'll have explained this to begin with...)

Also, you could have their user title set as "fucking spamming piece of shit" until their 5th post...and then it changes to "just kidding"...

Aye.

Sounds very reasonable.

I wouldn't mind seeing a time limit as well for starting new threads. In theory, 5 posts can be made in a couple minutes and then the spammer could jump in with a new spam thread. How about a 24 hour waiting period before being able to start a new thread? Is that going too far?

That's a good point, glatt.

If he tried the 5-post thing first, and it worked (the spammers move on when confronted by this obstacle) then he could leave it at that, the minimum required to do the job.

Next, I'd say a 24-hour waiting period isn't that bad an idea, doesn't seem too restrictive, but then again what if you were maybe a lurker who suddenly had something very important to say? We would probably end up with a variety of "Welcome Threads" for new users to arrive in. Not a bad idea either. The "Welcome To The Cellar Thread" sounds like fun, huh?

There are a lot of registered lurkers ... they do so to take advantage of the new post settings. Most of the longer term folks wouldn't be impacted by the change ... and it doesn't restrict all posting, just making new threads.

let me administer the quiz

You have questions to answer in the mysmartmouth thread first young man...

oh, snap!

UT:

I am in favor of the changes you propose. I don't think they amount to a unreasonable burden on a real poster.

Question: Do you think the spam threads and associated accounts are being created by people or bots?

A non-Confirmed user would get a message like

"You do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons..."

We should not give them a guide to how they get to start a new thread, or they'll just follow it and spam us when they get access.

In the worst case, it may just move the spam problem into existing threads, but we have to try something to push back against these fuckers.

Biggie, the registration system requires you to fill out a CAPTCHA to prevent bots from creating accounts.

Understanding that "them" means #1 spammers and #2 legitimate new users, are you sure you don't want people to understand why the site isn't letting them post a thread? It's a delicate balance, but how can you inform new users how the site works, without also informing spammers how the site works? That's the question.

True Well, I could just put a note into the New User Registration bit, where the rules are, that says new users can't post new threads until they are shown to be actual people.