Spammers & Banning

[Kate]

Hi all,

I've quickly taken some time out tonight to check out the new members, I must have banned around 35 accounts.

If I have selected anyone by accident, please contact me on katec4s@hotmail.com

While I am still figuring a way to filter out genuine members, I do ask please if you could to have a 'proper' username and not something like ftd382 - so it makes you easily identified as an actual member here

Thank you!

[JK.]

One good method I found is to replace the Capcha thing with a custom question/answer challenge. So for example "who runs this forum?" only a real person could answer that.

I run a little forum for a few people and had dozens of spam accounts setup everyday once I changed it to a custom Q/A I've not had another spam account setup.

[CrankieMonster]

This is true, but it depends on the spammers. Another forum I'm active on suffers from real people signing up to spam stuff - you can tell because we have word filters set up that edit their posts (as they always post trying to sell the same old stuff!), and they keep trying to find ways of posting messages that get round the filters! Admirable, but ultimately futile

[Kate]

Thats a good idea with the Q, I had a breif look and I cant see anything, I also wanted to pop on a 'thanks' option for posting but I cant find that either
I'm running behind this morning but I will take a proper look tonight if I have the time.

[lovecranking]

thankyou kate for cleaning up and removing the numerous spam accounts, i know it's hard work but myself and im sure all of the other "proper" members, appreciate you taking the time to create this forum but we also thankyou for your decisive action regarding these spam accounts.

Matt

[Kate]

I found the plug in for the secret question.
When I have time later I'll set it up, the Q will be related to PP and probably another producer but something I think everyone will know

Matt, you are more than welcome, no one wants that in a forum.