Spammers

[TomGoodheart 373]

I noticed a few more spam(bot?) posts from 'guests'. Now I'm sure that "in the past" there was a moderator for each board with supervisor privileges that could delete such things. Plus Chris used to regularly weed out both posts and URLs.

But now I'm not sure it's happening.

Has anyone heard from Chris since the last "Where is he" post?

[Red Riley 2]

I noticed a few more spam(bot?) posts from 'guests'. Now I'm sure that "in the past" there was a moderator for each board with supervisor privileges that could delete such things. Plus Chris used to regularly weed out both posts and URLs.

But now I'm not sure it's happening.

Has anyone heard from Chris since the last "Where is he" post?

No, I last spoke to him in early June, but since that, nothing.

[azda 973]

Yes i have to agree Tom, i reoprted a few spam posts but he never replied, but someone did delete 1 or 2 posts but said he didn't have full power to take them all out. Maybe Chris has been busy, he should maybe let someone have full rights to delete things as it's been quite annoying recently.

[1949threepence 3,366]

I e mailed Chris a few days ago, and got a reply. Here is a copy and paste of the messages exchanged:-

Chris,

The names of the spam posters are "samsung" ~ a whole string of threads

started in "coin collecting software", and "mykooo000" ~ spam posts in

"sideline collection £2.00 coins" and also in "sitting on a rarity", both

hijacked threads in "lots of British coin related discussions".

----- Original Message -----

From: "Christopher Henry Perkins" <cp@predecimal.com>

To: "British Coins - Predecimal.com"

Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 8:44 AM

Subject: Fw: Spam posts & threads

>I admit I've neglected the forum lately. On a quick look I couldn't see the

>spammers. What are the

> names?

>

> Chris

>

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: "British Coins - Predecimal.com"

> To: <cp@predecimal.com>

> Sent: Tuesday, August 03, 2010 9:25 PM

> Subject: Spam posts & threads

>

>

>>

>> Chris Perkins,

>>

>> 1949threepence has sent you this email from

>> http://www.predecimal.com/forum/index.php.

>>

>>

>> Hi Chris,

>>

>> Is there any chance of you deleting the mounting number of spam posts and

>> threads on the forum ?

>>

>> Hope you are keeping OK. Cheers.

>>

>>

>>

>> ---------------------------------------------------

>> Please note that British Coins - Predecimal.com has no control over the

>> contents of this message.

>> ---------------------------------------------------

>>

>>

>>

>

>

[TomGoodheart 373]

There seems to be spam in the Rotographic research thread. Which would just be annoying, but that particular area is only supposed to be visible to specified members and certainly not accessible for posting, even to the majority of members.

Now I'm wondering about just deleting my posts and leaving. I know that sounds a bit overdramatic but I'm kinda pissed off to be honest. I don't particularly want my collecting interests or potentially other details available to all and sundry.

I did email Chris. I'll see what happens as a result.

[TomGoodheart 373]

OOh! It's gone. That was blooming quick Chris! Thank you. (And 'hello' nice to see you about!)

[Chris Perkins 223]

I've deleted the spam in the Rotographic area. I'll have to check the permissions there because it was originally for specific members only....perhaps it reverted to the default when the software was last updated. The Members only area is the only place where non members cannot even see the area. And only members can post, never guests (unfortunatly, as spammers put an end to that years ago).

I updated the forum software a while ago but when the spammers are probably real people (underpaid Bangladeshis in Internet Cafes, or whatever) there isn't a lot that can be done.

But spammers just spam, they do not in any way compromise the personal data/posts etc of any members...they post their links a few times hoping that search engines will pick them up, and then they go and most are never seen again because they're spamming elsewhere.

I've recently bought a house here in Saxony which needs a lot of work and is taking up lots of time and money! Sorry for neglecting the forum lately.

Who wants to be a mod? If any of you regular members usually check here every day, it's really very easy to zap spammers and keep an eye on things when I'm not around. It would be a big help at the moment.

[TomGoodheart 373]

Well, I'm sad enough that I'm here fairly regularly these days so *fingerwave* if it's not technical (I'm still waiting for my membership of the Luddite Society to arrive but since it's coming by mule, who knows when that might be!) I'm happy to bugger things up I mean delete spammy stuff!

The only other area I've noticed a lot of rubbish in is Coin Collecting Software which was spammed on 2 August if memory serves me correct.

[TomGoodheart 373]

Oh and congrats on the new house! (And apologies for moaning!)

[Chris Perkins 223]

Ah, don't worry about it.

All of your regular posts etc are all apreciated, even if I haven't read them all!

TomGoodheart I'll make you a mod of everything. And I'll make sure Sylvester also has rights to delete anything spammy.

It's quite straight forward, you will notice a new 'delete' button at the bottom right of each post. Apart from the first messages in topics that is...and when those are spam then you can just delete the whole topic via the 'Topic Moderation' drop down menu that will appear at the bottom-ish of the page.

I don't think you'll be able to ban spammers though, so once you've seen them and deleted as much as possible (for repeat offenders) then just email me the name and I'll delete the account and ban the IP range. You may be able to delete the members! I don't know because I'm not sure exactly what you get to see as a mod. Have a play. Don't break anyting.

[Peckris 579]

Ah, don't worry about it.

All of your regular posts etc are all apreciated, even if I haven't read them all!

TomGoodheart I'll make you a mod of everything. And I'll make sure Sylvester also has rights to delete anything spammy.

It's quite straight forward, you will notice a new 'delete' button at the bottom right of each post. Apart from the first messages in topics that is...and when those are spam then you can just delete the whole topic via the 'Topic Moderation' drop down menu that will appear at the bottom-ish of the page.

I don't think you'll be able to ban spammers though, so once you've seen them and deleted as much as possible (for repeat offenders) then just email me the name and I'll delete the account and ban the IP range. You may be able to delete the members! I don't know because I'm not sure exactly what you get to see as a mod. Have a play. Don't break anyting.

I'm happy to help out too Chris, but if you've got enough unpaid slaves volunteers already, I understand.

[TomGoodheart 373]

Oooh the power! I feel dizzy already!

Chris Perkins, on 19 August 2010 - 09:55 PM, said Don't break anything.

I'll do me best!

[Chris Perkins 223]

Ok, we'll see how it goes then.

Have I eliminated all the spam that was kicking around? I can't find any more.

[HistoricCoinage 115]

I'm always game for deleting spam and come on here most days. Happy to help if you want.

[Red Riley 2]

I'm always game for deleting spam and come on here most days. Happy to help if you want.

Ditto. I got a certain pleasure out of deleting adverts for viagra and fake Rolex watches from my inbox, so if you need an assistant...

[TomGoodheart 373]

OK. I've checked out the extra options and do seem to have the ability to tidy up posts. I don't know if Chris has given anyone else mod powers.

I'm on here at all sorts of hours most days and if not, then normally at least a couple of times a week. But I don't always read every new post or visit every area of the board, so if anyone does spot any spam feel free to pm me. I'll check it out as soon as I'm here and do what I can to tidy things up.