ALL THE SPAM!!!

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Donovan
Posts: 833
Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2013 4:18 pm
Location: North Carolina

ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by Donovan »

Alright we have been swarmed with spam :(

Is it necessary to report each one, or are they so obvious that it doesn't matter?..

and lastly... Why Us?!

oh and feel free to delete this one along with the spam please :P
SunniDai
Posts: 222
Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 4:49 pm
Location: Washington state, USA

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by SunniDai »

It's rather irritating, isn't it? I don't want a purse or shoes nor do I need to see boobs. I'm good to go, thanks.
*_*
~Dana

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ellieelectrons
Posts: 2708
Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:17 am
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by ellieelectrons »

Just deleted another pile. Thanks for your patience. Last night I logged in and deleted some, I logged back in about a half hour later and there was more. I think our little board is keeping a Spam Bot in business!

Ellie.
Donovan
Posts: 833
Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2013 4:18 pm
Location: North Carolina

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by Donovan »

SunniDai wrote:It's rather irritating, isn't it? I don't want a purse or shoes nor do I need to see boobs. I'm good to go, thanks.
*_*

wait... what? :P
Donovan
Posts: 833
Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2013 4:18 pm
Location: North Carolina

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by Donovan »

thanks for taking the time to delete. The question still stands, is it necessary to report the trash threads like those?
MissK
Posts: 3011
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:46 pm
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by MissK »

Um...................... "No one expects the Spammish Repetition!!!"

(Sorry. I had to.)
-MissK
clawnz
Posts: 148
Joined: Sun Dec 23, 2012 9:59 pm
Location: Auckland NZ

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by clawnz »

The BOTs have found a weakness and are taking advantage of it.
It is not just this forum that these idiots plague.
We had a horrid time of it over on Tailfeathers for months. But Dan got it sorted in the end and now we are almost totally clear of spam.
So I am guessing that the forum needs some updating to help deal with the bots.
ellieelectrons
Posts: 2708
Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:17 am
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by ellieelectrons »

Hi Donovan

I usually pick it up. Probably not necessary although it doesn't hurt.

Ellie.
InTheAir
Posts: 2040
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2013 4:24 pm

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by InTheAir »

I think it's a case of not enough mods. Other forums I visit get spammed but there are heaps of mods that clear it quickly. It's a big job for one person (who recently tried to step down because their real life is too busy)... I think we should elect another responsible member and ask the forum owner to make them a mod too.

I nominate Missk on the basis that busy people get stuff done :mrgreen: Or one of the breeders that are on here regularly.
ellieelectrons
Posts: 2708
Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:17 am
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by ellieelectrons »

I just deleted another pile! They're persistent!

I contacted Imran and he is going to add some extra security tomorrow. Can't come soon enough! It had been quiet here for a little while but then they spammers find ways around it so you have to keep updating the software.

Ellie.
MissK
Posts: 3011
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:46 pm
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by MissK »

InTheAir ~ Better that than "I nominate MissK because she clearly has nothing better to do in life than read this Forum....."
-MissK
InTheAir
Posts: 2040
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2013 4:24 pm

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by InTheAir »

MissK wrote:InTheAir ~ Better that than "I nominate MissK because she clearly has nothing better to do in life than read this Forum....."
does that mean you accept my nomination? :mrgreen:
InTheAir
Posts: 2040
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2013 4:24 pm

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by InTheAir »

But, seriously, it must be spam bots cos no thinking human would try to advertise handbags to other humans who spend all their money on toys and cages for birds...
MissK
Posts: 3011
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:46 pm
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by MissK »

I try to find the humour in it - like Mad Libs......
-MissK
InTheAir
Posts: 2040
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2013 4:24 pm

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by InTheAir »

[quote="MissK"]I try to find the humour in it - like Mad Libs....[ quote]

Umm... there is humour in mad libs? I guess you guys don't folow Australian politics... it's not funny cos it's true here right now :wink:
MissK
Posts: 3011
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:46 pm
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by MissK »

Maybe there is a different type of Mad Libs there???

I mean this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Libs

OH! And since this is a SPAM thread, maybe we should make a little Mad Lib about our birds....... I'll start:

Once upon a time there was a _______________ (avian species) who took a particular liking to a ______________ (inanimate object), especially when _____ (pronoun) came across it in the __________ (time of day).

Anyone?
-MissK
Donovan
Posts: 833
Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2013 4:18 pm
Location: North Carolina

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by Donovan »

InTheAir wrote:But, seriously, it must be spam bots cos no thinking human would try to advertise handbags to other humans who spend all their money on toys and cages for birds...
Nail on the head.

What I need is a device to slow down time because 80% of my morning as i'm getting ready for work consists of cleaning bowls, changing food, changing toys, stringing up some piece of vegetable like a toy, and whatever else comes to mind before I leave.

And is there any reason not to take on a number of new moderators instead of just one? Which by the way missk might as well be a moderator. New people always think she is anyway :P
MissK
Posts: 3011
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:46 pm
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by MissK »

People think I'm in charge everywhere I go. It's because I'm PUSHY and I have a BIG MOUTH. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I think a pile of new mods would be great, but I don't see a line of applicants.
-MissK
AJPeter
Posts: 2534
Joined: Sun Oct 06, 2013 3:17 pm
Location: Birmingham England
Contact:

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by AJPeter »

If we ignorred the spam would it go away?

Rather than putting each other forward what about an advert, volunteers needed. i would happily volunteer.

To beat the spam could we all have to log on with our own pass word, no pass word no log on!
InTheAir
Posts: 2040
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2013 4:24 pm

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by InTheAir »

MissK wrote:Maybe there is a different type of Mad Libs there???

I mean this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Libs

OH! And since this is a SPAM thread, maybe we should make a little Mad Lib about our birds....... I'll start:

Once upon a time there was a ______ringneck_________ (avian species) who took a particular liking to a _______beads_______ (inanimate object), especially when _he____ (pronoun) came across it in the ____any time of day______ (time of day).

Anyone?
MissK
Posts: 3011
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:46 pm
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by MissK »

:lol:

See, Mad Libs can be fun!
-MissK
MissK
Posts: 3011
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:46 pm
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by MissK »

Soooooooo.......... At risk (OK, certainty) of marking myself so entirely not of the internet culture, what's the deal with the spam posts?

This is a sincere question. I mean, I just read one. It read like a comic spoof of a non-native-English speaker trying to sell bags. There were links I certainly did not click that looked nothing like links to bag-buying sites. Is this SPAM really trying to sell me a bag, or is it only intended to cause congestion on the Forum? Is it a ploy to plant computer germs in my computer when I visit linked sites? Is it a joke? It *was* kind of funny, once I read it.....

What's the deal?
-MissK
ellieelectrons
Posts: 2708
Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:17 am
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by ellieelectrons »

I think the main reason behind the spam is about how Google search works. If you want to have your website come up high on the Google rankings, you have to have lots of links back to your site. Therefore posting links on forums is one way to try to manipulate Google rankings. There are companies that make a living from improving companies' Google rankings. Hopefully most of them use a more ethical way of doing it... but I'm sure there are some out there that use this strategy.

I could be wrong, but that's my limited understanding of such things.

Ellie.
MissK
Posts: 3011
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:46 pm
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by MissK »

(tapping the fingers together...) INteresting.... Thanks Ellie.
-MissK
AJPeter
Posts: 2534
Joined: Sun Oct 06, 2013 3:17 pm
Location: Birmingham England
Contact:

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by AJPeter »

Bing is supposed to be a bigger search engine than google. Would switching to Bing help?

Again l ask would an addtional login help?
ellieelectrons
Posts: 2708
Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:17 am
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by ellieelectrons »

I suspect Bing works in a similar way re page rankings.

Ellie.

p.s. I don't control who are moderators. That's Imran's call.
Donovan
Posts: 833
Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2013 4:18 pm
Location: North Carolina

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by Donovan »

48 BS posts,

2 real ones. They've been busy today
ellieelectrons
Posts: 2708
Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:17 am
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by ellieelectrons »

Yeah. Took me quite a while to remove them this morning. That'll teach me to sleep in! Crazy! I hope the upgrade gets done on the server soon. I'm going to be at a parrot conference for the next four days so I may not be able to get in to remove it very often.

Ellie.
Donovan
Posts: 833
Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2013 4:18 pm
Location: North Carolina

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by Donovan »

ellieelectrons wrote: I'm going to be at a parrot conference for the next four days
Ellie.
two and a half questions...
one, does going to a parrot conference teach you something you don't already know, or is it a reminder, a refresher course.
two, is this something you have to go out of town for and live in a motel?
ellieelectrons
Posts: 2708
Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:17 am
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by ellieelectrons »

These are the events I'm going to:
http://www.iaate.org/index.php?option=c ... Itemid=540
http://www.parrotsociety.org.au/parrots2014/index.html

They're getting in a pile of international speakers so I'm looking forward to it.

In answer to your first question, I suspect it will be all of the above. I'll let you know after I've been. :)

The conference is close enough that I could drive there each day but it would mean several hours drive each day so I will be staying on site.

Ellie.
AJPeter
Posts: 2534
Joined: Sun Oct 06, 2013 3:17 pm
Location: Birmingham England
Contact:

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by AJPeter »

Roughing it Ellie? l could lend you a camp bed
AJPeter
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Joined: Sun Oct 06, 2013 3:17 pm
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Contact:

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by AJPeter »

Why do l get adverts on the left sometimes and sometimes not how do l get rid of them?
ellieelectrons
Posts: 2708
Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:17 am
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by ellieelectrons »

Those advertisements are built into the site. I don't think you can get rid of them.

Ellie.
MissK
Posts: 3011
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:46 pm
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by MissK »

Has anybody had a peek at the lost/adoption section? Spammers are actually "talking" to each other.
-MissK
ellieelectrons
Posts: 2708
Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:17 am
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by ellieelectrons »

It's so annoying when they post inside an existing thread! Just finished the clean up. I had to go out early this morning so I didn't do my usual morning clean up routine.

Ellie.
ellieelectrons
Posts: 2708
Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:17 am
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by ellieelectrons »

Hi MissK

I found this article about how search engines work for those publishing academic works. Thought you might find it interesting.
http://authorservices.wiley.com/bauthor/seo.asp

Ellie.
MissK
Posts: 3011
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:46 pm
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by MissK »

Thanks Ellie! I'm pretty sure Google is the most amazing thing in my daily life.
-MissK
AJPeter
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Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by AJPeter »

I prefer Bing, but the real Bing Crosby was one of the greatest crooners in all time
Melika
Posts: 1920
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Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by Melika »

Personally I report the spam posts, since it should cue them up in the admin panel and make them easier for the mods/admin to find and delete. :)
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I've been called 'birdbrained' before, but somehow I don't think this is what they meant. say:hah-nay
MissK
Posts: 3011
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:46 pm
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by MissK »

Really? How do we do that?
-MissK
Melika
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Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by Melika »

MissK wrote:Really? How do we do that?
See the little ! button above the quote button on a post? That's your report button. :) If a post has already been reported, it will tell you so.
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I've been called 'birdbrained' before, but somehow I don't think this is what they meant. say:hah-nay
MissK
Posts: 3011
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:46 pm
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.

Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by MissK »

I tried it! Thanks Melika. I hate it when my Newbie is showing. :lol:
-MissK
Melika
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Re: ALL THE SPAM!!!

Post by Melika »

MissK wrote:I tried it! Thanks Melika. I hate it when my Newbie is showing. :lol:
It's okay, don't feel bad. I just got back from Europe (Germany) and my friends there looked at me like I was crazy because I had to ask why toilets had two buttons for flushing. The diplomatic answer was: "The big button is for when you... need more water. And the smaller button for when you need less." XD

It also took a day or two to figure out how to open the windows without a struggle. ^^;
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Image
I've been called 'birdbrained' before, but somehow I don't think this is what they meant. say:hah-nay
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