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View Full Version : Spambot surge

digger242j
10-06-2008, 09:59 AM
Beginning a few days ago, we've seen an invasion of spambots. Apparently, they've figured out an automated method of reading the text string that's required as part of the registration process. Registrations per day have increased tenfold, but 90% of them are spambots.

We're working on a way to fix that, but in the meantime, new members will be approved on an individual basis. This may result in some delay in you being able to fully participate in the forums, but hopefully it will never amount to more than half a day or so.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience to those who are genuinely interested in being part of our community here. :(
tonka
10-06-2008, 12:57 PM
fryed spam is good
BrianHay
10-06-2008, 04:18 PM
They have figured out how to do more then just that. They hit me really hard yesterday it took me hours to delete all the spam. I was mad/frustrated and posted about them and less than an hour later they took out my whole forum, it's all gone :( How I don't know, my host is looking into it.
curly
10-06-2008, 08:12 PM
They have figured out how to do more then just that. They hit me really hard yesterday it took me hours to delete all the spam. I was mad/frustrated and posted about them and less than an hour later they took out my whole forum, it's all gone :( How I don't know, my host is looking into it.


Probably overloaded the server and they automatically dumped you?

For both of you guys check out this, http://recaptcha.net/ . I have an IPS board and they had the same problem and used this as part of the fix.
John C.
10-06-2008, 10:13 PM
The same thing hit me last Friday. So far I've been just doing the work to delete the crap. I'm just a one man show on my board and can't take the onslaught for a lot longer.

If you find a fix let me know.

Thanks,

John C.
hvy 1ton
10-07-2008, 01:43 AM
On a few other boards they have started asking stupid questions to keep the bots out. You just ask what is the intials of Heavy Equipment Forums. I don't know if it helps or not, but you might try asking the nice people over at vBulletin or Postnuke to see if they have a solution. Good luck, and remember not all nerds are evil.
surfer-joe
10-07-2008, 03:10 PM
Yeah! Some sites now asking you to solve a simple math question. (1+1=) For example. That one isn't bad, but if they go to higher math (2-1=), I'm in trouble.
Squizzy246B
10-07-2008, 06:35 PM
Probably overloaded the server and they automatically dumped you?

For both of you guys check out this, http://recaptcha.net/ . I have an IPS board and they had the same problem and used this as part of the fix.

Curly, they are predicting reCaptcha will be busted by the bots very soon
BrianHay
10-07-2008, 10:39 PM
That's exactly what happened curly. And then a malicious script was discovered in my index file...it's a mess but will be fixed.

It looks like they have already got around recaptcha. There is a ton of threads popping up in Google about it, everyone seems to be getting hit and it's just starting.

Check out this thread http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=272439 I have not read the whole thing yet but looks like some good info. Post #199 (page 14) looks like a good idea.
curly
10-08-2008, 06:56 AM
Dang that was quick. Well the simple idea of just putting a simple question that a computer wouldn't understand as a registration question couldn't hurt. I gotta wonder though why the hell they spend all the time making these bots to spam porn sites....if I wanted to go I would. I don't so why **** everyone off?