Spam Attacks

Scooter · 11-04-2008, 11:04 PM

Howdy all,

During the last few weeks we have noticed a significant increase in spam postings (particularly pornography) popping up in random threads. This is being caused by robot attacks and is hitting all forums worldwide that use our vBulletin software.
As moderators the best we can do right now is delete the posts and ban the poster, and we have had some success banning other posters from the same IP address - a couple of hundred in the last two days - before they can strike.
We have contacted the site administrators for help but it appears there is no easy solution given the magnitude of the problem - the software will need to be changed to block the robots from registering in the first place.

For now, please just report the posts when you come across them and we will do our best to eliminate them as quickly as possible. If you avoid posting about the post, it will be easier for us to delete just the one message and then the thread will be clear.

Thanks,
=Scott

SXY_S2K · 11-05-2008, 07:43 AM

Thanks for the mention that you guys are doing something about it. I was very upset the other day when I braved checking the forum at work and scrolled down to see certain pictures flash on my screen. I don't want to get fired!

*&^$#^%$)(*^&(&*%*^#$&^%##$$%^* the spammers!

Bronxbomber9009 · 11-05-2008, 07:46 AM

the last two spam attacks i have reported as soon as i saw them. F*%K spammers!

makopolo · 11-05-2008, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SXY_S2K

Thanks for the mention that you guys are doing something about it. I was very upset the other day when I braved checking the forum at work and scrolled down to see certain pictures flash on my screen. I don't want to get fired!

*&^$#^%$)(*^&(&*%*^#$&^%##$$%^* the spammers!

Had the same issue at work. Unfortunately the guy that sits next to me is annoying and always looking at my computer. I don't think he looks so often now that he saw that on my screen.

Vezna31 · 11-05-2008, 10:25 AM

Damn...I missed the porn posting.

s2000isu · 11-05-2008, 10:40 AM

It must be franklin go ask everyone in the top poster thread. BAN HIM its him things are happening around him I tell you he shouldnt be on our site. We should go find that "coward" and ban him or atleast "all block him". "This guy needs to go". "We dont need nor want this bs"

jagg · 11-05-2008, 10:48 AM

lol

bbcricketta · 11-05-2008, 10:50 AM

it was some pretty good porn!

rusyus · 11-05-2008, 10:57 AM

I thought there was Image Verification when you register, how do robots pass that? if it is text recognition, maybe a simple mathematical operation would work better than text?
Let's say picture will say 25*2+48 and user have to provide the answer...

killabee · 11-05-2008, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbcricketta

it was some pretty good porn!

Damn I missed It?

TheSoundMan21 · 11-05-2008, 04:10 PM

dude I am at work and on a computer EVERYONE can see me. I dont need that here.

Vezna31 · 11-05-2008, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSoundMan21

dude I am at work and on a computer EVERYONE can see me. I dont need that here.

Why are you browsing the internet while at work??

Scooter · 11-05-2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s2000isu

It must be franklin go ask everyone in the top poster thread. BAN HIM its him things are happening around him I tell you he shouldnt be on our site. We should go find that "coward" and ban him or atleast "all block him". "This guy needs to go". "We dont need nor want this bs"

No, the hackers are just getting in with fake user accounts so they can post spam. Everything I've found so far says that there's no real hacking, just foiling the login security. Franklin's problem, I'm fairly certain, is a more normal system problem - we're using a pretty old version of this forum software. Go apologize to him...

Scooter · 11-05-2008, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusyus

I thought there was Image Verification when you register, how do robots pass that? if it is text recognition, maybe a simple mathematical operation would work better than text?
Let's say picture will say 25*2+48 and user have to provide the answer...

Yep, that image system is kind of old and the Eastern Europeans have figured it out. However, even the brand new image verification systems are vulnerable, I hear. I think our only solution is to moderate all new users the way we do those under 13, but that takes an Administration change - we're working on it.

Scooter · 11-05-2008, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vezna31

Why are you browsing the internet while at work??

HAH the first time this happened I got a "notify moderator about post" email while I was in a meeting... Clicked on it and up popped, well, you know. I sat back from the table quickly and deleted that sucker as quickly as I could... Now I know to wait until I'm back at my desk.

philiam · 11-06-2008, 12:41 AM

Don't know if it was coincidence but I found 4 virus infections on my computer. Suggest doing a scan as a prophylactic. No, not that kind.

11-04-2008, 11:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
Scooter Senior Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 1,587	Spam Attacks Howdy all, During the last few weeks we have noticed a significant increase in spam postings (particularly pornography) popping up in random threads. This is being caused by robot attacks and is hitting all forums worldwide that use our vBulletin software. As moderators the best we can do right now is delete the posts and ban the poster, and we have had some success banning other posters from the same IP address - a couple of hundred in the last two days - before they can strike. We have contacted the site administrators for help but it appears there is no easy solution given the magnitude of the problem - the software will need to be changed to block the robots from registering in the first place. For now, please just report the posts when you come across them and we will do our best to eliminate them as quickly as possible. If you avoid posting about the post, it will be easier for us to delete just the one message and then the thread will be clear. Thanks, =Scott

11-05-2008, 07:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
SXY_S2K Trqless Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 1,232	Thanks for the mention that you guys are doing something about it. I was very upset the other day when I braved checking the forum at work and scrolled down to see certain pictures flash on my screen. I don't want to get fired! &^$#^%$)(^&(&%^#$&^%##$$%^* the spammers! __________________ *Race time. Got to be serious, not stylish.* *www.facebook.com/kesmith3 http://www.carbon8mag.com/*

11-05-2008, 07:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
Bronxbomber9009 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: nashville Posts: 287	the last two spam attacks i have reported as soon as i saw them. F*%K spammers! __________________

11-05-2008, 10:25 AM	#5 (permalink)
Vezna31 Resident Track Whore :) Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chula Vista, CA Posts: 1,667	Damn...I missed the porn posting. __________________ Vezna Financial Services - For mortgages, accounting and taxes, and phone service needs. http://www.vezna.com San Diego Car Club - http://www.sdcarclub.com

11-05-2008, 10:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
s2000isu Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: pa Posts: 1,770	It must be franklin go ask everyone in the top poster thread. BAN HIM its him things are happening around him I tell you he shouldnt be on our site. We should go find that "coward" and ban him or atleast "all block him". "This guy needs to go". "We dont need nor want this bs" __________________ S2kx2: "paint it pink! Or better yet buy a Miata" 2001 Vortech SC 12.8 at 111 miles per hour

11-05-2008, 10:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
jagg Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Endless Mountains Posts: 3,234	lol

11-05-2008, 10:50 AM	#8 (permalink)
bbcricketta normal aspiration Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: south georgia Posts: 1,052	it was some pretty good porn! __________________ 2007 berlina black

11-05-2008, 10:57 AM	#9 (permalink)
rusyus Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 267	I thought there was Image Verification when you register, how do robots pass that? if it is text recognition, maybe a simple mathematical operation would work better than text? Let's say picture will say 25*2+48 and user have to provide the answer...

11-06-2008, 12:41 AM	#16 (permalink)
philiam Senior Member, Literally Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: woodland hills, CA Posts: 2,535	Don't know if it was coincidence but I found 4 virus infections on my computer. Suggest doing a scan as a prophylactic. No, not that kind. __________________ .

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode