User Validation

[Shrink908]

Lately I've noticed that users are being verified when they should not be... Hence the occasional spam... Who is that is doing the validations these days? If the answer is nobody we need to get volunteers for this job. This job would also entail going back and deleting a user that's verified by spamming (including using the delete posts option to clear out the spam).. I've been doing it when I see it, but I simply don't have the time to do the entire site daily.. So let's get on figuring this out and kill off the spam.

[Eoraptor]

I know Robin professes to doing it. if you need more eyes on the process though, right now most of my days are spent sitting around and waiting for the next crisis, so I could lend a hand as well.

[Love Robin]

I am doing it, and catching more than most know or have the time to report.

While I'm onto certain repeat names (some simply re-register) and patterns (like asdf*, woodh*, pocy/pozcy*, and anything with 'Viagra' in it, which I delete un-activated), the problem is you cannot go by Names or Emails alone. If so members like Cytotoxin, Pojko, and rmt1982, or emails like c.l.g.eaglehopeful.troop19@gmail.com (LukeLynch12) would never have gotten activated – and I nearly *didn't* activate them.

You'd be surprised how some of the ones which *do* look solid, like "JamesGo", turn out to also be spammers. So bookcovers, and all that…

I've also been keeping an eye on confirmed and proven offenders' email and isps and adding repeats to the global ban lists.

And I've gone through the Inactive List and pruned it down to where only Ryka's old account should remain (in case she wants it back and to avoid another problem like Diogenes's mishap)

I *do* have my thumb on it, and lately Sheki has been stepping up too.

[Sheki Go]

Yeah. I've been trying to kill the ones that have been getting through as soon as I see them. I haven't approved any in a while, but I am killing the bad ones I see.

[Love Robin]

And I appreciate the help, Sheks!

[Shrink908]

I just deleted another one "Brearlwearo"... I wish that shit would stop... I think what needs to be is all new users need to be verified by manual email before being activated.. I know it's a pain in the ass, but these spambots are really annoying.

[Alex.the.Pretty.Good]

If you are looking for volunteers who can cover the evening GMT (Afternoon US time) let me know. I'm usually available during that period and am willing to do my part to keep the Haven clean and safe.

I would also like to repeat the suggestion that came up in the spam-notification thread, should it have been drowned out by all the spam notifications: Would it be possible to set up a "first posts are moderated" scheme?

If all posts of a new poster are kept in a special moderation thread and need eye-ball confirmation of their validity, after which the user is changed to "can post anytime", won't this catch most of the spammers without the hassle of manual e-mail activation?

[The Supreme One]

Do to certain recent events, I have a lot more time in my hands,
I can cover from about 23:00 to 05:00 the next day (in Colorado time)
I also agree with ATPG's idea.

[Love Robin]

Do to certain recent events, I have a lot more time in my hands,
I can cover from about 23:00 to 05:00 the next day (in Colorado time)
I also agree with ATPG's idea.

Thank you for volunteering. Even a Limited Mod requires a clean track record. Get past your current sitch, and we'll see.

[Sheki Go]

Alex's suggestion is pretty good. Could that be implemented? Also, the only reason I haven't been keeping up with validating people is because I'm worried I'll allow spambots in to clog up crap with spam, even with using common sense with the name of the registering use. x.x I haven't seen anywhere near as much spam lately though.

[Shrink908]

Alex's suggestion is pretty good. Could that be implemented? Also, the only reason I haven't been keeping up with validating people is because I'm worried I'll allow spambots in to clog up crap with spam, even with using common sense with the name of the registering use. x.x I haven't seen anywhere near as much spam lately though.

I don't readily see a way to do this.. but I'll look into it.

[The Supreme One]

When they join you could just set them to moderated user until you feel that they are real enough and then you let them go free

[Shrink908]

When they join you could just set them to moderated user until you feel that they are real enough and then you let them go free

That would have to be done by the person who validates the individual user. It's something to look at though.

[The Supreme One]

How many people a day do you admit?

[Shrink908]

How many people a day do you admit?

Personally? None.. I haven't done that job myself in probably more than a year.. Not sure what the admission totals are, but I know the junk account (spambot) creation sends me a LOT of emails..