Spam Feature Proposal (How to catch a spammer)

[meauxna 15]

What is a 'spammer'?

You have had a different definition of this word from the rest of the world in the past, so you might want to clarify what behavior you are trying to catch and stop.

It's pretty easy to automatically stop a "spammer" so you must mean something different here.

[Saska+Tim 7]

Great idea.

BUT!!!!

You can create a scenario where visajourney.com opens the door to a DOS attack.

Here's how.

A user creates a series of fake accounts, then that user uses this new feature to attack legitimate users and posts.

Better idea is to invite long time users of the forum to become SUPER USERS, sort of like mini supervisors, these are users who over time have been known to the site. They would be able to temporarily report, suspend and hide users and posts until an administrator or moderator can confirm the activity.

Anyway that's my .02 for the day!

This is exactly what I was thinking too, very open for DOS attacks. I like the idea of only allowing members with a join date of more than 90 days, but not crazy about the 250 post minimum. We have a lot of people who post maybe once or twice a month, but would probably be valuable in catching spammers. I'd also recommend that there be some maximum number of reports allowed per week or month. This would keep a very determined abuser from doing too much damage if they could only flag, say, 10 posts with their carefully nurtured 20 accounts before losing the ability to flag.

I agree with you

[mox 298]

What is a 'spammer'?

You have had a different definition of this word from the rest of the world in the past, so you might want to clarify what behavior you are trying to catch and stop.

It's pretty easy to automatically stop a "spammer" so you must mean something different here.

Huh? I think it's pretty self-explanatory. Spammer.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I like the 250 post min idea as it would be more effective then 90 days. 90 days alone would just mean that the person needs to get set up and then wait for the attack.

[mox 298]

I like the 250 post min idea as it would be more effective then 90 days. 90 days alone would just mean that the person needs to get set up and then wait for the attack.

I suppose. I'd lower it from 250 then. Something like 25 would be enough to deter your average spammer.

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

The spammers I would want to target are the people that have no interest in VJ other than to come here and post several (or more) topics on medicine, porn, etc.. The "abusers" on VJ that spam in terms of bypassing suspensions or posting something silly are maybe 10% of the total number of people that create "problems" with spam (by a broad definition).

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Where am I going to get my Viagra now?

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

Maybe I can open up a forum for the spammers?

[NArocks 13]

Maybe I can open up a forum for the spammers?

Sry Capt could not resist

I think that is not a good idea because you have the risk of it still overflowing here

[mox 298]

Maybe I can open up a forum for the spammers?

I see how it is.

[SMOKE 1,426]

Maybe I can open up a forum for the spammers?

i think you're joking. but, thats probably your best option honestly. then organizers can move spam there until a mod or yourself can deal w/ the spammer. if you do the report thing you know it will get abused. i'm sure some are already foaming at the mouth to start reporting others for spam. with a post that says link which will actually report someone as a spammer.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Is the spammer problem on VJ really that big that we need to do this?

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

Maybe I can open up a forum for the spammers?

i think you're joking. but, thats probably your best option honestly. then organizers can move spam there until a mod or yourself can deal w/ the spammer. if you do the report thing you know it will get abused. i'm sure some are already foaming at the mouth to start reporting others for spam. with a post that says link which will actually report someone as a spammer.

It was a joke . In all seriousness though I think I am able to make the spam tool pretty robust to prevent abuse. Abuse additionally would result in maybe a 30 day suspension so it would be a serious penalty. Add that to the fact that a single "report" would not trigger an automated flag -- maybe the system would require 3 or more reports, etc..

Is the spammer problem on VJ really that big that we need to do this?

I see the mods making 2-3 "catches" on potential spammers per day. Mostly they catch people before they even post. Additionally if this allows them to "relax" and focus on moderation it will improve the quality of the time they can spend on that. Same for me in terms of being able to spend more time on areas that help the most.

[Otto 83]

Add that to the fact that a single "report" would not trigger an automated flag -- maybe the system would require 3 or more reports, etc..

3 or more is probably a good number - most spammers I've seen (and reported) pass the 3 or more posts within minutes of logging on - would probably give a mod enough time (at least a warning) to jump in and cut them off before they make a mess of the place.

[mox 298]

Another mechanism worth considering: If somebody posts within, say, 10 minutes of account creation, have that post held for moderation.