Spam prevention

[MaTTe]

Can we implement a way to prevent these 'bots' being able to post without a 'human' present via such means as captcha images or simple text based questions for the first 15 posts for new users..
something like each new post they have to answer in a box what is ten plus ten? all in text, as a computer will not likely fill in the box correctly. or use captcha images on each new post (replies or started topics)
It should reduce the amount of posts the mods have to filter out, which seems to be quite a time consuming event based on the number i see versus the number deleted before i even see them.


Even make every post (reply or started thread) go into a folder only the mods can see much like an inbox, to await authorisation to be added to the message forum, would make deleting false posts much easier for the mods i would guess.

Just a thought.

[BusyKiwi]

Shane has a few tricks for the new layout, and we have restricted first time posters into the intro and featured sections only.

We do our best to remove the spam before you all see it, but some of the time we don't get to it in time.

Bots are a pain and are crafty, some can read the captcha images, it's a bit like securing a van, can have mag wheel nuts, alarm ,chains etc but they will still steal it, all you can really do is slow them down and make it harder for them

[Bedfordcrazy]

Hey Guys, maybe these little bastards should go and get a job, then they would have less time to interfere with other peoples property, ie: our site. Keep up the good work shane.

Regards
            George.

[Rogue Trooper]

Sorry George but for the guys who code the bots and send spam, that is their job.

[BusyKiwi]

yep, sadly there is big money in spam

[MaTTe]

Busy, dont get me wrong.. I give full credit to the mods who actively delete the posts before we see them in most cases. I just figure with the amount I see there must be HEAPS you guys delete that i don't see aswell.

It was the guy last night that had posted in 6 different threads that sparked my comments.

I have seen the usage of question boxes on other sites where it'll ask simple things like 'What colour is the sky' or 'What colour is red' and you simply input the answer in text. It weeds out a  good percentage of bots..

A bit of food for thought

[ShaneJ]

We have all those question boxes on here already 

[MaTTe]

For each post shane?

New users may only be able to create topics in introductions and such, however last night one 'bot' was replying to a number of threads across various catagories.

I just visited a website with a unique way of dealing with such things, i'll post the link. at first i thought it was a scam..

http://gerasimos.us/anorexia/com.php

close the box that says "warning this content may be inappropriate" there is an 'X' in the top corner, clicking the advertising below will take you elsewhere.
However closing that window brought up a screen that required i park a car in a bay that was bouncing around. I dont see the 'bots' being able to work around that easily

[MaTTe]

 1 spammer, 21 posts this evening in just about every category possible.
I wouldn't be surprised if such 'success' is posted somewhere on the web for other spammers to follow suit..

[BusyKiwi]

The spam bots search out forums, or anything with a sign up form. is like a dictionary type attack where as they try different methods (automated, one after the other) until one works.

From the error logs the bots create on here, and the other processes available (like honey pot - spam registery), I've noticed some of the same spammers on my van website (from a link on here) and they have looked for a forum or shout box etc, but as I don't have anything like that they move on.