PhoenixSoul 1,404 Posted November 19, 2017 We either have someone using multiple accounts and/or someone has hacked accounts here, and are sending ridiculous spam messages to people. We must stay aware of this, keep on top of it. If you see anything that looks suspicious, notify the admin, hit that report button, and if you believe you may of been hacked, change your passwords, call your banks, do whatever you feel necessary to remain as safe as possible. This is the internet, and it is unsafe, soon to be even less safe if the FCC has a say in it... I've got my eyes out for these spammers, and it seems that 'Viagra' is a recurring spam theme, but don't be fooled. They may go other routes, far less subversive than that. They may even go after the underage users here. If they do, report it to local law enforcement. That is all. Stay safe, and stay armed. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Makara 96 Posted November 19, 2017 No matter how much security you put on a forum (IPB has an odd tendency for this, experience talking), people always find ways to build bots around it, that make accounts for spam, usually utilizing adult themes on their posts, yes. These things aren't targeted like that, nor people. Just automatic stuff. All it can be done about it is delete posts & threads & account and move on until IPB gets even more security... but it will be bypassed eventually as usual. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhoenixSoul 1,404 Posted November 19, 2017 2 minutes ago, Makara said: No matter how much security you put on a forum (IPB has an odd tendency for this, experience talking), people always find ways to build bots around it, that make accounts for spam, usually utilizing adult themes on their posts, yes. These things aren't targeted like that, nor people. Just automatic stuff. All it can be done about it is delete posts & threads & account and move on until IPB gets even more security... but it will be bypassed eventually as usual. Exactly why I'm telling people about this. Constant vigilance will win the day. That and a razor sharp sword. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Saeryen 299 Posted November 19, 2017 Thanks for the warning. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tarq 746 Posted November 20, 2017 The staff are aware of botting, its not a new issue and members are not in any way vulnerable to their accounts being hacked by bots or whatever PS is trying to suggest. Ofc, I'm not suggesting people be less safe on the internet but don't go calling your banks or follow any other bad irrelevant advice you may be provided; You're not ninety year olds using your grandkids' laptop for the first time, you know not to click shady links. The reason for the increased bot activity is because Riki and Kaz understand them best and are able to prevent a great deal of them before they've even had the chance to be active. They're not around much atm for reasons you already know. The rest of us require the member to act suspiciously before we're certain they're bots and act. So just be your usual good-natured forumers and report the bad stuff we don't catch and everything will continue smoothly. No drama required. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaz 1,338 Posted November 21, 2017 Sorry I have't been around been dealing with some really serious home issues. Anyway I have done a serious bot blocking session. change permissions for a couple of groups and manually picked off a few others. Hopefully this should clear it down for a while but keep on reporting please. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Makara 96 Posted November 21, 2017 2 hours ago, kaz said: Sorry I have't been around been dealing with some really serious home issues. Anyway I have done a serious bot blocking session. change permissions for a couple of groups and manually picked off a few others. Hopefully this should clear it down for a while but keep on reporting please. Worth a try? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhoenixSoul 1,404 Posted November 21, 2017 38 minutes ago, Makara said: Worth a try? Seems like a worthwhile endeavor, for a testing server. Wait, do we have just a testing server? We should... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Makara 96 Posted November 21, 2017 No need for a testing server for that. IPB apps/hooks/plugins are a just throw in folder and activate in panel. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rikifive 3,411 Posted November 24, 2017 The more bots appear, the more prepared for next ones we are. As said before, don't be worried that much, they just come to spam. Bots are around for years now (you probably haven't even seen about 97% of them) and I haven't heard of hacked accounts by these bots yet. If you'll spot these bots, please: - don't reply to them; pretend, that you can't even see these DON'T GIVE THEM ATTENTION THEY DON'T DESERVE DON'T FEED THE TROLL BOTS You also generate more mess to clean that way. - don't click any links if you see, that the post is suspicious OR YOU'LL LOSE HP - report their content and wait, ignoring that spam afterwards POISON THEM AND RUN There were no bots for some time after the upgrade, now it seems they've found another way, that we hope we'll block in the future. Sorry for the inconvenience. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhoenixSoul 1,404 Posted November 25, 2017 4 hours ago, Rikifive said: The more bots appear, the more prepared for next ones we are. As said before, don't be worried that much, they just come to spam. Bots are around for years now (you probably haven't even seen about 97% of them) and I haven't heard of hacked accounts by these bots yet. If you'll spot these bots, please: - don't reply to them; pretend, that you can't even see these DON'T GIVE THEM ATTENTION THEY DON'T DESERVE DON'T FEED THE TROLL BOTS You also generate more mess to clean that way. - don't click any links if you see, that the post is suspicious OR YOU'LL LOSE HP - report their content and wait, ignoring that spam afterwards POISON THEM AND RUN There were no bots for some time after the upgrade, now it seems they've found another way, that we hope we'll block in the future. Sorry for the inconvenience. Well...this was mentioned before...maybe worth a shot...who knows. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rikifive 3,411 Posted November 25, 2017 If things will get messy, perhaps we may take a look at this. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guyver 65 Posted November 25, 2017 (edited) Damn, where will I get my viagra from now without the bots? I only saw a couple on here, seems like such an odd place to target, being such a small community. Edited November 25, 2017 by Guyver 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Makara 96 Posted November 25, 2017 4 hours ago, Guyver said: Damn, where will I get my viagra from now without the bots? I only saw a couple on here, seems like such an odd place to target, being such a small community. Psssst bruh, you wanna buy some viagra? I got the best, Viagra 2000, Viagra XP, Viagra VX Ace, Viagra MV... Anyway, like I said, it's not targeted - it all comes down to more botting for mass searching for websites using said script: in this case, IPB, and without much work "tell a bot" to use this list of websites and go spread chaos for whatever scammy reason. Even a fresh website out of the website oven, days old can have this issue (experience speaking here). 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
