Popular Post RedStarRocket91 Posted September 10, 2014 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 As of today, we've discovered a new type of spambot on the forums which is significantly better disguised than anything we've encountered before. These new spammers work by copying part of an existing member's reply to a thread, and then hiding an off-site link in their own post, usually in the form of a period at the end of the text. Because these replies are copied from other members, they generally make sense on their own and so to a casual glance appear to be perfectly legitimate replies, unlike the garbled nonsense posts or obvious links associated with traditional spambot behaviour. They also seem capable of using the report system, which is how we managed to catch today's spammer, although I believe this to be a coding bug (as report and quote post functions are right next to each other) and so it's unlikely any in the future will give themselves away in the same manner. Although the moderating team tries to read every post which is made on the forums, due to the well-disguised nature of these bots there's a chance that some of them are going to slip through. We therefore need to ask for your help in rooting out any future posts by these kinds of bots. If you encounter any replies with what appears to be sections of text copied from another member's posts, or see any links in periods or other characters, please report these posts immediately and under no circumstances follow these links. The protection of our members is always our first priority, and so I'll update this post with any new information about these spambots as it comes to light. In the meantime, please be vigilant with reporting anything which you feel may be as a result of a spambot: there will never be a penalty for reporting something which turns out to be harmless, and the moderating team would far rather follow a hundred reports which end up needing no action than allowing a member to be harmed by a post which goes unreported. 35 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sikslik7 Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Thanks Red for the heads up, I'll watch out for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Intel Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Sir! Yes sir! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zelda Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 They seem to get smarter and smarter every year, it seems. But I will keep an eye out if I notice anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rrhuntington Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Be vigilant then? Of course! The War against the spammers continues! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guts Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Im keeping me eyes peeled. Thanks for the heads up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HIWBC Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Well considering I'm now back yet again I can start keeping an eye out for these stupid spambots (weeell I say stupid). These spammers are getting to be much, much smarter and actually these type of Spambots are so well programmed for their purpose that it's scary. Great find though Red, it would be very bad if we had an outbreak with these particularly annoying and disguised Spambots, I will keep vigilant RSR, I'll try my absolute best not to fail the forums. These spambots will not win, and I'll make it my job to help out the moderating team with this. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elite Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Report this to Invision Power, assuming that this isn't pirated IP board software of course... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caboose The Ace Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Will do. These Spambots wont know what him them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-38 Boss Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 FORUM PATROL! MOVE OUT! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halo6 Follower Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 These Spambots came from the Moon! In all seriousness, thanks for the heads up, i will keep an eye out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unease Peanut Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Get on my level spambots! I'll rek you! I'll keep an eye out and report any suspicious behaviour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sadly Just AL Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 No means no, yet they still do it. Alrighty, I guess I have to use the forum now... On it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Of Harts Posted September 11, 2014 Report Share Posted September 11, 2014 These slippery little spambots are getting smarter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost Recon Posted September 11, 2014 Report Share Posted September 11, 2014 I will keep an eye out for them to, but they can always copy the whole article and change the wordings on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
depressant Posted September 11, 2014 Report Share Posted September 11, 2014 I'll keep an eye out for them. People just keep on getting trickier with more technology. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yoshi1176 Posted September 12, 2014 Report Share Posted September 12, 2014 We need a forum neighborhood watch to find these guys. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spyro Posted September 12, 2014 Report Share Posted September 12, 2014 I'm not nearly as active now a days, but when I'm on, I'll do my part to look out for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerriesBoo Posted September 12, 2014 Report Share Posted September 12, 2014 Aye, Captain Red! I'll try my best to notice them, i don't know what it will look like if i notice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeStone42 Posted September 12, 2014 Report Share Posted September 12, 2014 I will use my energy sword against these spambots. When the job is done they won't know what hit 'em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDM Posted September 12, 2014 Report Share Posted September 12, 2014 Seems to be the time where we members and moderators team up as one to keep these spambots off our turf. I'll be sure to keep an eye out, and if I see one of my posts stolen to any degree - It will be the day we fight for our ancestors ancestors. Keep your eyes peeled, everyone. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Biggles Posted September 15, 2014 Report Share Posted September 15, 2014 They are getting smarter.WE MUST GET SMARTER WITH THEM.But no serious, good article and glad i'm aware now and can tackle it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EliteSniper Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 (edited) Don't worry, I'll do my best to keep the forum roads clean from those scums... I couldn't afford a motorcycle so yeah.... THIS IS MY AWESOME SCOOTER!!! Edited September 16, 2014 by EliteSpartan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superintendent Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 Well lets get crackin! Take em down! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duhd Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 the spammers are watching us copying us and spamming us and uh spamming us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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