Oh what a lovely day...

[robert@fm]

...for spam. Not yet half-past-9 AM (UK time), and already there's been at least three spammers here on EMD, and one on the Fastmail Wiki. Since the latter was spamming "escort agencies" and we all know what that euphemism actually means, I've applied for them to be blocked from all of Wikia (I've already done the local block). Wish me luck...

[kijinbear]

Is there any vBulletin plugin that automatically detects spam? The pattern seems to be easily identifiable: a newly registered user posts the same messsage more than twice in a short period of time.

[Bamb0]

Well all NEW USERS can be put on moderation meaning NOTHING THEY POST is visible until staff checks it and assures they are OK and then places them in the reg member group.... (But i dunno if they would be able to keep up with it or not.. I think only a few staff members regurally active not sure)

[drew]

What about that program that spot spam right on?
Akismet or similar name. The only wrong with it is
that it can be sensitive to people with ADD that are
too fast on the trigger.

[robert@fm]

We've just this minute had today's fourth EMD spammer (ChronicallyStupidCare, or something). Let's hope a mod shows up before long...

[FredOnline]

I note that we have 13 mods on this forum, but looking at the names I only recognise a very few as being regular visitors.

That proportion to the number of users here is quite small, IMHO.

Perhaps time to recruit more mods, or is it a closed shop?

[ReuvenNY]

We (Edwin and the moderating team) are frequently brainstorming about new ways of eliminating spam without impeding on the usability of the forum. Trust me, it's not simple. We are also vigilant in banning spammers and removing their postings. I believe that all in all this is one of the best maintained forum online.

[davy51]

The group in charge here actually do a great job controlling spammers
Its a constant 24 hour a day job just keeping spammers out

Anything they do to permanently stop spammers will also cause users discomfort

can ban certain words and it will stop links working and can check all ip addresses as they sign up

But thats not even a hundred percent positive

[robert@fm]

Originally Posted by ReuvenNY

We (Edwin and the moderating team) are frequently brainstorming about new ways of eliminating spam without impeding on the usability of the forum. Trust me, it's not simple. We are also vigilant in banning spammers and removing their postings. I believe that all in all this is one of the best maintained forum online.

I agree with the above statement; and having become an admin on the FM wiki, and thereby gained the ability to see deleted content, I know that there is far more spam posted than us ordinary mortals ever get to see! (No, I'm not applying to be a mod on EMD; as Plato said, wanting to do such a job is the major disqualification for it...)

[davy5111]

As most know me as davy51 will know Ive helped on more than one forum
Fighting spammers is an aggravating full time job
the more you do to stop them the more come lol

The only way i've found that even slows them down is trace thier ip and guess as to what they want

[chrisretusn]

Originally Posted by ReuvenNY

I believe that all in all this is one of the best maintained forum online.

A belief I happen to share.

[Chipper]

At the risk of creating a "me too" post, I'd also like to thank Edwin & the Mods for having one of the best run sites.

[FredOnline]

And not forgetting the 'ordinary joes' who turn up here, day in and day out, year in and year out . . . and in the here and now, and reporting the spamming.

[robert@fm]

We're now being spammed by Bill and Ben (the Flowerpot Men) offering a nice line in forged passports!

However, Edwin appears to be online, so it shouldn't be very long before the spammer is weeeeeeeded out...

[FredOnline]

For those of you who are outside of the British Isles and may not be aware of this classic TV:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower_Pot_Men