Thread: worm/virus

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Migflanker @ Oct 3 2009, 12:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Thanks Brian. One of the reasons we ask for profile info is that it helps to head off bots and humans spammers. Unfortunately distinguishing legitimate users from human spammers "ain&#39;t so easy"; especially when human spammers can come up with some pretty realistic profiles and some legitimate users default to the basic airline - friend/buddy - and plan to go everywhere info. It often boils down to "gut feeling", moderating the first # of posts and googling to see if our new member has also just joined 50 other boards. Which is why we need eveyone&#39;s help on spam patrol. [/b]

Haha, yep, I know how that goes...

Spammers are indeed relentless. Spongebue, ScottFitz thanks for the help.

Mig on spam patrol

So, what are your thoughts about flipping that switch on PMs back to how it was? I&#39;ve seen some bots would just move on eventually, maybe the ones that took over the PM system already have, especially considering it&#39;s been switched off for so long? Come to think of it, if they&#39;re answering airline questions and what have you they probably are regular humans (something I&#39;ve heard of before) that would get even more impatient.

Brian as you and most members of the Forum know, the private messaging (PM) system was disabled due to massive abuse of the system...SPAM.
The spammers then shifted to posting spam in the general Forum, some as new members and others as "sleepers" sitting anywhere from a few days to a few weeks before spamming the board. Fortunately I&#39;ve been able to delete most of the spam (some explicit) before too many members see it.
So as you can see before enabling the PM system, (which would again allow immediate massive abuse) some new rules would have to be instituted.

Personally I detest imposing new rules because of a few "idiots", but I suppose that is precisely why we&#39;re taking our shoes off and throwing away water bottles at the airport.