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  1. #1
    Frank
    Administrator nordwulf's Avatar
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    previous: 2006 9-3, 2001-06 9-5, 2011 9-4X

    Why do spammers sign up and not post anything?

    There were quite a few new users in the last month who don't appear to have any interest in the forum. They are easy to spot because they usually fill in their profile with random information (especially for My Saabs) and use random user names. Some sign up from the same IP address.

    A few have advertising/links in their signature or links to commercial sites in their home page link. But the thing is, the majority of these users don't even post anything on the forum. They sign up and don't come back. I am trying to figure out why they do this. The only think I can think of is back-linking and getting their site listed on other sites.

    They are not doing any damage here and I am not sure if it is a good or bad thing for SW as well. Does anyone have any more insight?

  2. #2
    Frank
    Administrator nordwulf's Avatar
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    previous: 2006 9-3, 2001-06 9-5, 2011 9-4X
    I changed the Human Verification registration option from images to a question/answer so perhaps that will limit the spambots.

    I think if you're even remotely interested in Saab, this question shouldn't be too difficult.
    Which country (English spelling) is Saab from?

  3. #3
    Mike
    Moderator Shazam's Avatar
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    How do spambots get past the image?

  4. #4
    Frank
    Administrator nordwulf's Avatar
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    previous: 2006 9-3, 2001-06 9-5, 2011 9-4X
    Software can decode the image (captcha). Some spambot software can target 100s of forums at the same time. The idea about a question/answer verification is that it requires human interaction by the spammer. Hopefully, that will be too much effort and they target easier victims.

    See spambot software at work here:
    http://www.botmaster.net/movies/XFull.htm

  5. #5
    Mike
    Moderator Shazam's Avatar
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    Wow, that's ridiculous.

  6. #6
    Dave T.
    Super Moderator Dave T's Avatar
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    03 Aug 2010
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    near Seattle, Washington
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    1,513
    Saab(s)
    1999 9-3SE (2013-2015), 2005 9-3 (2005-2013), 1990 900 (1990-2003)
    Quote Originally Posted by Wulf View Post
    I changed the Human Verification registration option from images to a question/answer so perhaps that will limit the spambots.

    I think if you're even remotely interested in Saab, this question shouldn't be too difficult.
    Which country (English spelling) is Saab from?
    Wiseguy's answers
    Netherlands (Spyker)
    Japan (9-2X)
    USA (9-7X)
    Finland (a non-convertible 900 that I used to have!)
    Belgium (a long, long time ago)
    Austria (9-3 convertibles until recently)
    Italy (Saab 600)
    Denmark (Saab 95, imported as a minivan for tax reasons then rear side windows installed in Denmark)


  7. #7
    Frank
    Administrator nordwulf's Avatar
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    previous: 2006 9-3, 2001-06 9-5, 2011 9-4X
    I changed the question to this to make it easy for non-english members and Wiseguys.

    This question is to deter the spam bots. Please enter "sweden" in the answer box (without the quotes).

    It apparently worked because there haven't been any new spambots signing up. Not many other new members either..

  8. #8
    Norbert
    Toblerone-Tuner HB-EX's Avatar
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    04 Nov 2010
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    Bremen, Germany
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    35
    Saab(s)
    9.3 cab 1.9D electricblue
    Quote Originally Posted by Wulf View Post
    Software can decode the image (captcha). Some spambot software can target 100s of forums at the same time. The idea about a question/answer verification is that it requires human interaction by the spammer. Hopefully, that will be too much effort and they target easier victims.

    See spambot software at work here:
    http://www.botmaster.net/movies/XFull.htm

    ridiculous, indeed

    first post, just to show, it's not a spam

  9. #9
    Frank
    Administrator nordwulf's Avatar
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    previous: 2006 9-3, 2001-06 9-5, 2011 9-4X
    Willkommen! I think you are our first member from Germany.

  10. #10
    Jeff
    Web Saab Story Golfhunter's Avatar
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    18 Nov 2010
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    Montignac, France
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    178
    Saab(s)
    Saab 9.3 conv 2002 , Saab 900T16 1989, Saab 900T8 1981 , Saab 99CC 1977, Saab 95V4 1969 , Saab 96
    Spammer in the blog section

 

 

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