Attention mods: there are some spammers among us

[reuben]

Originally Posted by 93KgBike

Does this mean that I am a suspect when I revive **super extra old** threads?

You have a 93 kg bike. So either you know nothing about bikes and are almost certainly a spammer, or you're the most awesome cyclist ever and we should all bow down before you.

I'll let the mods figure it out...

[PQJ]

Off with their heads!

MODS: I suggest deleting offending posts in their entirety so that future, unsuspecting Forumites don't click those links.

[jimoots]

Malware is a thing but you will also find some of these spammers will be posting links to their website for SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) benefit.

Google uses many metrics to judge websites and rank them, one of them is 'inbound links'. While not as important as it once was, it is still important, and a link from a 'trusted website' to a website can count for a lot.

[jkbrwn]

@Mods, just reported user Alstra again.

All of their previous posts now have links in them and they've just bumped another old OT thread.

User Ewalls is much the same.

[AngryScientist]

thanks

both banned

we've got a real problem on our hands here.

the frequency is getting out of control.

if anyone has any ideas how to weed out new users who are into this, we're all ears!

[Keith A]

It looks like this latest round of spammers have a different scheme. It appears they are creating accounts on numerous forums, but not spamming right away so that they won't get flagged. Then after they have created a number of posts and let some time pass, they go back and add in their spam links.

With this MO, it's harder to catch them when they create the account. So when you see anyone doing this, please either post the information in here or report their post.

[Clancy]

Is there anyway to restrict links in OT topics or even restrict OT topics?

Take the example of the suspect link to a mortgage broker. I realize the topic of refinancing is relevant to many including me but given this is a bike forum is this where we should be asking advice?

I’m guilty of asking advice on off topic stuff (suggestions for a sports car for example) so I’m not sure what the answer is.

Do we always need links? Helpful in posting PSA’s so I don’t know. I’m so ignorant of how scams work. Is it possible to post a fake link to what appears to be a Craigslist ad but is a link to some malware? I really have no idea.

Is there a way to restrict posting links until x number of posts? Similar to posting ads?

There’s a good chance of tossing the baby with the bath water on this one.

[Bruce K]

We are looking at restricting the ability to edit posts for a specified time/number of posts after joining.

Most of these spammers are posting a reply or resurrecting and old thread.

They then come back and edit the link in later.

We are exploring options and hope to have something soon as chasing these jerks is becoming a significant time suck.

BK

[sokyroadie]

Possibly another one "Huck"
https://forums.thepaceline.net/showt...=191014&page=2

[chuckroast]

There looks to be one on the credit card thread as well, user name "Mastaci" or something like that.

[William]

Originally Posted by chuckroast

There looks to be one on the credit card thread as well, user name "Mastaci" or something like that.

How apropos.





W.

[fiamme red]

The spammers edit their original posts to include spam links at least a day later, and usually a few days later. Would it be possible to restrict editing of a post to an hour or two after it was posted, for any forum member who doesn't already have a certain number of posts?

[fiamme red]

Originally Posted by chuckroast

There looks to be one on the credit card thread as well, user name "Mastaci" or something like that.

Yes, you are correct. The post was edited yesterday to include a spam link: https://forums.thepaceline.net/showt...08#post2882108.

I only noticed that because Mastaci bumped up an old thread on vegetarianism with this inane reply today: https://forums.thepaceline.net/showt...10#post2884510.

[AngryScientist]

thanks, another perma-ban.

keith is in the process of removing the privilege to edit posts for new members until they achieve some post count, which should close this new spammer loophole. what a pita.

[bob_in_pa]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

thanks, another perma-ban.

keith is in the process of removing the privilege to edit posts for new members until they achieve some post count, which should close this new spammer loophole. what a pita.

A big thank you to all of the Mods for the diligence. I'm sure there's plenty of stuff you all would rather be doing.

-Bob