Spam attacks

[gtc]

This board seems to be prone to hit and run spam attacks. Is there no way of putting new members on automatic moderation until they have proved themselves to be bona fide?

[Terry Barton]

If there is a way to do that, I haven't found it for the Forum.  I'm doing the best I can.  I delete the spam as soon as possible and ban the spammer

I approve all postings on my blog - which is the only way I could stop the spam there - but there are only a few postings there vs many at the Forum

[gtc]

If there is a way to do that, I haven't found it for the Forum. 

I'm not an expert on SMF but I have found a reference to version 2.0 in relation to combating spam attacks that says under Security and Moderation features: "you can even require verification until a member reaches a certain amount of posts." That's what I had in mind.

I'm aware that some human spammers make essentially meaningless replies in threads to build their post count, but if the mods scan what the new members who are 'on hold' are writing then it ought to be obvious that their posts are bogus.

[gtc]

How's the anti-spammer campaign coming along?

[Terry Barton]

It is a constant battle.  My programmer has agreed to find and plug the holes, but nothing yet.

[gtc]

It is a constant battle.  My programmer has agreed to find and plug the holes, but nothing yet.

Yep, plug one hole and they find another.

Meanwhile, would it be possible to install a Report Member button on the profile pages? It's easier and quicker to report a spamming member than to report each of his/her spam threads.

[Terry Barton]

Unless a spam message is on the site more than a half day, you don't need to report it, as I am systematically checking, finding and removing spam each morning and each night.  I'm not going to describe my techniques, but as best as I can tell, I am not missing any.