How to spot a spammer

[temi]

When I get new registration at my forum I usually can tell straight away if its genuine or a spam but I am only about 95% accurated, here are some tell tale signs:

1. The registration names usualy do not make sense for example just got this: redse@mail333.com
2. They us obscured free email service
3. They are usually form Eastern Europe especially Russia and Ukrain
4. Some you can tell they are spammer when you are getting user name like BittanyNude or pornstar, this are not common names at webmaster forum.

Please add your tips on how to spot a forum spammer to this list

 

[Bagi Zoltán]

I guess Temi, in a couple of weeks I will have many tips, but my board has just launced with 9 members so far.

 

[temi]

Yes, give the spammers a few weeks, they will find your board

 

[midlandi]

Strangley when i changed to vb the spammers increased dramatically,did you find the same happen?
I have software installed now which stops the serial spammers, that helps.

 

[temi]

Yes,
vB is more popular that what you used before (SMF) but this hack is usually very good for stopping spam at vB powered forums: NoSpam! - an alternative to CAPTCHA images - vBulletin.org Forum
Was it the same hack you use John?

 

[midlandi]

Yes plus one called "spam list" has a database of the emails of the main spammers.

 

[temi]

I see, do you have the url of spam list?

 

[gkd_uk]

How do these Spammers find a board so quickly. Are they using Bots?

You can normally spot spammers as they register with funny names such as jghfkfkd or thegahsgs

I just hate it when they register and leave a porn link behind :bait:

 

[temi]

GKD,
You guessed right, they us bot to find bots and its actually the bot that generate the names etc for them

 

[UK WW ex member]

I have collected some ips , mail servers from where I get spammer all the time . I have banned them . I will send u the list or post here- hope it will help

 

[temi]

Kashem,
That would help very much, I look forward to the list

 

[gkd_uk]

GKD,
You guessed right, they us bot to find bots and its actually the bot that generate the names etc for them

So these Bots can register on a forum, by pass the visual spam code and then activate the activation email :eek2:

 

[temi]

yes bots can.

 

[gkd_uk]

I guess the only way to stop this is to set up admin approval but this would put new members off

 

[betias]

How to spot a spammer?
i have worked in chat rooms were spamming can really be a problem. But just as well forums. Most spammers who aim to profit from spamming normally use sex related usernames: sex66, widemouthslut, etc. thes are easier to spot.

The ones who are more difficult are the genuine spammers. They spam for no other reason than spamming. They normally go directly to the pM's or post rudely and try to upset well placed topics.

here are a few tips I saw on DP
- set post requirements before signature usage is available
-set post limits before link and image uploading is activated
- ask well known users to help you moderate your most important forums
-set time limits between pms and postings

These wont stop spammers, just slow them down - but it helps you to spot them faster and reduce the damage they may do.