Spam? Here? Yes, and you can kick it.

[Onkel Neal]

Spam alert!! (http://www.subsim.com/spamguide.htm)

What does it look like?


When you see a new member, a Bilge Rat http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/images/ranks/bilgerat.jpg with 1 or 2 posts, check and make sure he does not have any links in his post, or in his signature. Links usually mean spam.
http://www.subsim.com/spamgu1.jpg




:hmmm: Spammers usually will post some really generic, nonsense message, like "Thank you for the information, I can really use that." If you see a post like that, check it!



Some spammers post links above or below their visible message, but it is the same color as the background and therefore, invisible unless you hover your mouse over it. :o
http://www.subsim.com/spamgu2.jpg




Hover your mouse around and the spam links appear! :know:
http://www.subsim.com/spamgu3.jpg


New members should be welcomed, but if they are spammers, then use the Report Bad Post button!
http://www.subsim.com/spamgu4.jpg






thanks!
Neal
Spambuster

[Onkel Neal]

PSA, :)

[FIREWALL]

:o Will keep eyes peeled better in the future. Any bounty on these critters ? :haha:


ps: See what happens when you go away for a bit ? :DL

[Onkel Neal]

Thanks, FW! Appreciate the help. :salute:

[DarkFish]

Just a quick question about spam reporting.
I've used the 'report bad post' button several times already to report spam, but every time I click the 'send report' button after filling in the message textbox, I don't get any confirmation of me having sent the report at all. Firefox just reloads the thread I was viewing. Is there something wrong on my part (like browser settings) or is this intended? Do my reports actually get sent, even though I don't get any confirmation?:-?

[FIREWALL]

Just a quick question about spam reporting.
I've used the 'report bad post' button several times already to report spam, but every time I click the 'send report' button after filling in the message textbox, I don't get any confirmation of me having sent the report at all. Firefox just reloads the thread I was viewing. Is there something wrong on my part (like browser settings) or is this intended? Do my reports actually get sent, even though I don't get any confirmation?:-?


Good Question :yep:

[DarkFish]

Good Question :yep:that's what I thought when I posted it so could any of the moderators please answer it?

It's just that you get confirmations for about anything you do (like logging in to subsim etc.) except for reporting bad posts.

[AVGWarhawk]

This would explain the off the wall first posts I see every now and then. These are those types of posts were I just say WTH was he talking about and then just move on.

What is the purpose of doing this anyway?

[U-46 Commander]

Will keep my eyes open as well.

[Webster]

Just a quick question about spam reporting.
I've used the 'report bad post' button several times already to report spam, but every time I click the 'send report' button after filling in the message textbox, I don't get any confirmation of me having sent the report at all. Firefox just reloads the thread I was viewing. Is there something wrong on my part (like browser settings) or is this intended? Do my reports actually get sent, even though I don't get any confirmation?:-?

i believe a reported post is reported to "all" moderators of that forum at the same time so if one misses it another will respond so things get acted on fairly quickly.

i have seen double reports from the same person before just to make sure it went through.

i cant see it as practical for the moderator to reply to the reporting member as that only invites requests for too much info on whats happening with the report.

that said i think maybe a website confirmation of "post has been reported" would be something usefull :hmmm:


and maybe neal will give you a can of spam kill flag for each spam thread you sink :yeah:

[FIREWALL]

How about the member who reports the most Spam between, Now and SHV release date gets a FREE copy.:D

[Task Force]

id like to report most of the people on this forum... lol look at all this spam...:nope: J/j

:rotfl2:

[Arclight]

Ha, look who's talking! Thought your name would be Spam Force by now. :O: ;)



Wait... someone's gonna throw that one back in my face as well. :doh:

[Task Force]

Ha, look who's talking! Thought your name would be Spam Force by now. :O: ;)



Wait... someone's gonna throw that one back in my face as well. :doh:

ya know, I was thinking about changein my name... but its too late for that... lol

ps... its cause you fell for the free trial of LIFE, I didnt get it... lol

[Onkel Neal]

This would explain the off the wall first posts I see every now and then. These are those types of posts were I just say WTH was he talking about and then just move on.

What is the purpose of doing this anyway?


These poor third world bums get paid for every spam link they place. So, picture a bamboo warehouse in the Philippines with 300 guys making fake gmail accounts and posting spam everywhere. :shifty:

that's what I thought when I posted it so could any of the moderators please answer it?

It's just that you get confirmations for about anything you do (like logging in to subsim etc.) except for reporting bad posts.

I tried it with IE7 and FFF, and both do not give a confirmation. I have asked the moderators in my Bad Post report test to post here when they get it. Let's hope they will.


How about the member who reports the most Spam between, Now and SHV release date gets a FREE copy.:D


Haha, that would start a flood of artificial spam! But thanks to all here for replying and helping.

Neal

[Arclight]

You've made me paranoid Neal. :nope:

I keep looking for hidden links in seemingly empty spaces and scrolling the cursor over images to see if they're linking somewhere. :-?

[DarkFish]

How about the member who reports the most Spam between, Now and SHV release date gets a FREE copy.:DNow THAT's an idea:D
You've made me paranoid Neal. :nope:

I keep looking for hidden links in seemingly empty spaces and scrolling the cursor over images to see if they're linking somewhere. :-?You too? I keep checking every bilge rat's post a hundred times:DL

BTW, did anyone notice the 'seemingly empty space' below my sig? It's been there for the last 2 days, wonder what it could possibly be:hmmm:
;)

[Arclight]

:rotfl2:

Dang, you made me check! I'm really going downhill fast. :haha:

[DarkFish]

Last edited by Neal Stevens; 09-29-2009 at 03:10 AM. Reason: spam removed:rotfl2:Didn't know the Onkel spams the forum too:rotfl2:

[ReallyDedPoet]

Received. Use FF by the way :yep:

[DarkFish]

so that means bad post reports do get sent even though there is no confirmation given? Good to know cause a quick google search for "credit immobilier" immediately revealed 2 spammers. Both are reported now. (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1154652&postcount=1053 and http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1134322&postcount=1218)

[Onkel Neal]

Now THAT's an idea:D
You too? I keep checking every bilge rat's post a hundred times:DL

BTW, did anyone notice the 'seemingly empty space' below my sig? It's been there for the last 2 days, wonder what it could possibly be:hmmm:
;)

YOUR spam could be here!
(Mine could too 'cause no one seems to notice my sig anyway)
:haha: Good one!
Yes, if we have several hundred real Subsim members who know to check for spammers when the see a Bilge Rat with 1 or 2 posts, we can wipe it out here. I hate spam, and I enjoy fighting back. Thanks for the help. :salute: [/URL]


You've made me paranoid Neal. :nope:

I keep looking for hidden links in seemingly empty spaces and scrolling the cursor over images to see if they're linking somewhere. :-?

:yeah:You should only have to do it for very new people.

Received. Use FF by the way :yep:

Thanks! And I figured out that the forum settings for RBP were going to moderators only, now the admin will get them too.

so that means bad post reports do get sent even though there is no confirmation given? Good to know cause a quick google search for "credit immobilier" immediately revealed 2 spammers. Both are reported now. (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1154652&postcount=1053 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/postings.php?do=getip&p=1180684) and [URL]http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1134322&postcount=1218)


Woot! You're a smart fellow, I didn't think of that. Thanks, I'll pitch those two overboard now.

Neal
Spambuster

[Onkel Neal]

I have updated post #1 here, can you see the images of the bilge rat and RBP button? thx

[DarkFish]

I have updated post #1 here, can you see the images of the bilge rat and RBP button? thxYup, they show both show up (the RBP button even works, is it supposed to?)
Woot! You're a smart fellow, I didn't think of that. Thanks, I'll pitch those two overboard now.Doing the same trick again for simulationcredit revealed another one (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1115407&postcount=37). This one had invisible spam above his message, so invisible spam can be everywhere, not only below the message or in a sig.

[Onkel Neal]

Excellent! I have added that as an example, thanks!

The example RBP button, I have removed that link, it should be just the image only.

[FIREWALL]

I just bagged one a little bit ago. We should get their heads as Trophys to put in our Sigs.

How about it Neal ? :DL

[Onkel Neal]

Yeah, agreed! :D

[G2B]

Is there a chance they could be harvesting E-mail addys? I'm somewhat clueless as to why they are posting hidden links in threads?


I'm an annoying human with a terrible sub-sim addiction not a spammer.

[Arclight]

I'm an annoying human with a terrible sub-sim addiction not a spammer.
It's true, I checked. :lol:

[G2B]

:har: The paranoia sets in.......Every Newb is going to be welcomed then scrutinized

[Kpt. Lehmann]

LOL! I've popped two of them little low-lifes over the last few days.

To be honest... its a little bit fun smackin' 'em up a bit. :D

Which reminds me... I'm hungry. I bought some ACTUAL spam at the grocery store about an hour ago. Its not bad really. (Though I don't recommend the version with tobasco sauce... It makes ya pay for it again later.:dead:)

[Chad]

Though I don't recommend the version with tobasco sauce... It makes ya pay for it again later.:dead:)

Aw yuck! :har:

[Onkel Neal]

Is there a chance they could be harvesting E-mail addys? I'm somewhat clueless as to why they are posting hidden links in threads?


I'm an annoying human with a terrible sub-sim addiction not a spammer.


Somehow they get paid for every link they place, invisible or not.

[AVGWarhawk]

Somehow they get paid for every link they place, invisible or not.


It is kind of like those double-click programs were the individual is paid for each click on the mouse for a particular site.

[Onkel Neal]

Yep, that's right.

Ok, I have updated post #1, let me know if you cannot see the images.

Also, I am offering a Subsim Ping Prize to the scalphunter who can find the most spam ho's that have posted prior to Sept. 30. So, if you have some cool ideas about Googling Subsim credit or Subsim Nike, Subsim How to convert any DVD, etc, or you want to use the Community Search feature and look over members with 1 post, etc. I will award the person who finds the most spammers a Subsim Ping Prize. First person to find each unique spammer gets credit for that one.

Post your findings here, I will keep track of them. I will count the ones who have been found and listed in this thread, and the ones reported this week, too, so Darkfish, Pioneer, Firewall, and all who have found one, you are already in the game!

Contest ends Oct 11.

thanks!
Neal

KeybdFlyer 1
Sledgehammer427 2
VirtualVikingX 2
reallydedpoet 2
U2222 1
AVGWarhawk 1
FIREWALL 2
SteamWake 1
flakmonkey 1
DarkFish 7
tomhugill 1
gdogghenrikson 1
SilentAngel 1
RedChico 1
lurker_hlb3 2
Fincuan 1

[AVGWarhawk]

I reported a spam post this morning. :up:

[Sledgehammer427]

yaaay, six-way split for first place :rotfl2:

[DarkFish]

ahhrg I'm offline for a few hours and gone is my headstart:damn:

spam (http://subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1146293&postcount=3) spam (http://subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1174308&postcount=10) spam (http://subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1169991&postcount=24)
spam (http://subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1090313&postcount=4367) spam (http://subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1175891&postcount=9) spam (http://subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1146293&postcount=3)

maison09 was even nicely welcomed to the subsim forums:nope:

also not completely sure about this one (http://subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1158624&postcount=9), if it was in any other thread I would have reported it. (the link in the sig is kinda on topic, so may be legit)

[Onkel Neal]

Wow, six in one night, you are now far in the lead.

I will leave the leukemia poster, it may or may not be legit. I googled linda8055 and this person posts a lot of threads everywhere (spammer symptom) but they all seem legit... :hmmm:

[Onkel Neal]

Spam free days: 2

Awesome. :woot:

Darkfish, I think maybe you cleaned them out.

That, and I've imposed a temp ban on new accounts using gmail. (http://www.seo-theory.com/2008/03/19/seo-spammers-run-amok-on-gmail/)

[Dowly]

That, and I've imposed a temp ban on new accounts using gmail. (http://www.seo-theory.com/2008/03/19/seo-spammers-run-amok-on-gmail/)

Not wise if you ask me. Many use gmail these days.

[Onkel Neal]

If gmail cannot weed out the spammers, many people using it will find problems joining forums and websites.

[Onkel Neal]

Yep, that's right.


Also, I am offering a Subsim Ping Prize to the scalphunter who can find the most spam ho's that have posted prior to Sept. 30. So, if you have some cool ideas about Googling Subsim credit or Subsim Nike, Subsim How to convert any DVD, etc, or you want to use the Community Search feature and look over members with 1 post, etc. I will award the person who finds the most spammers a Subsim Ping Prize. First person to find each unique spammer gets credit for that one.

Post your findings here, I will keep track of them. I will count the ones who have been found and listed in this thread, and the ones reported this week, too, so Darkfish, Pioneer, Firewall, and all who have found one, you are already in the game!

Contest ends Oct 11.

thanks!
Neal

Sledgehammer427 2
VirtualVikingX 2
reallydedpoet 2
U2222 1
AVGWarhawk 1
FIREWALL 2
SteamWake 1
flakmonkey 1
DarkFish 7
tomhugill 1
gdogghenrikson 1
SilentAngel 1
RedChico 1
lurker_hlb3 2
Fincuan 1


Ok, so I see how this works :haha: Offer some goodies and everyone does deep.

[Onkel Neal]

Ah, thanks KeybdFlyer

[Onkel Neal]

Darkfish, PM me a mailing address where I can send your goodies. :salute:

[Onkel Neal]

Man, I unbanned gmail last night, slept 6 hours and woke up to find 10 new spammers :damn: Thanks to Tarjack, Pioneer, Fincuan, sergei , BootsmanBoof , Sledgehammer, and others for sending in the BPR and to the moderators for shutting down the spam whores. :salute:

gmail is back on the ban list.

[WarlordATF]

Wow, i didn't realize this was such a out of control problem. Scum like that make all us new guys look bad. Hope you find em all!

I'm new, but i'm no spammer. Loved Sub sims for a long time, but just now finding the community. Feel free to check my background in the Flightsim community, i have been around that hobby for many years.

I'll be happy to help by reporting any spammers i notice, good luck guys.