( search forums )
Remove bots: Use Confirmation Numbers
Soldat Forums - Misc - Forum News and Support
DePhille
January 4, 2006, 1:22 pm
Hi,

Recently some bots have been added to the forums.
These are scripts that register themselves and post crap just to show their signature (Which has links to gambling sites in it).

There are some easy ways to avoid this:
1) Create a number confirmation.
When you try to sign up it'll show a random number or word in an image (very important) and the user has to type what he sees in the image.
2) E-Mail confirmation.
Cannot remember if e-mail addresses must get confirmed on SoldatForums anymore but if not this sure has to be implemented.
3) Ban people with huge numbers behind their name.
Mention in the sign-up form that you will delete any user with more than 4 numbers in their name.
Bots will just skip that and sign up with alot of numbers.
4) Probably alot more if I keep thinking.

Grtz , DePhille

karmazonpl
January 4, 2006, 3:06 pm
last time I registered, email was required(but that was centuries ago)

Dark_Noddy
January 4, 2006, 4:00 pm
a simple socket script would take care of the email validation :)
images with messy backgrounds will confuse a text recognition proggie --> no auto joining possible.

The only bot I've noticed is 'Reese35649'

b00stA
January 4, 2006, 7:59 pm
The bot has been banned (after DarkNoddy mentioned it on IRC).

DePhille, what other bots have you seen?
I doubt this is going to be a problem. The email confirmation should be enough unless the bots are really that clever to process the emails too.

DePhille
January 4, 2006, 10:31 pm
They are that clever.
I've only seen reese , but you can be sure that there will be more bots in the future , if not now then tomorrow.
There were also some bots at the SCTFL forums so I think they'll add other bots here (Maybe it's someone we know?).

Just keep your eye open on suspicious names with numbers (I think that's the most effective).
I think someone actually registers these bots manually so an image with numbers/characters won't work I guess.

Grtz , DePhille

Soulsnipa
January 4, 2006, 11:36 pm
you mean somone can make bots so post referal links?! how terrible!

frogboy
January 5, 2006, 1:28 am
quote:Originally posted by Soulsnipayou mean somone can make bots so post referal links?! how terrible!
Yeah, and you have to go posting them yourself!

Dark_Noddy
January 5, 2006, 5:28 pm
lol ^^


Souldsniper.. 2 menainless posts with Casino links each day ? I mean, its not much, but why not have 0 instead ? :o