Playing Whack-A-Mole with Spammers

[Nosferatus]

don't worry i hate them as much as you do, it's a very sad way of earning money.
I found it especially bizarre to see them active on BM wiki.
Why would they come and bug a non profit game community?

Is there any way you  can track down the source?
everything leaves a trace right?

[egamma]

don't worry i hate them as much as you do, it's a very sad way of earning money.
I found it especially bizarre to see them active on BM wiki.
Why would they come and bug a non profit game community?

Is there any way you  can track down the source?
everything leaves a trace right?

Unfortunately there's nothing you could do--they are probably using a compromised computer, or they are using an internet cafe or starbucks, or they are in some country that doesn't care.

And even if you did get one to stop, that's just one--there's a million others out there.

Unless, of course, you buy my patent-pending AntiSpammer Spray! Just spray your server and keep the spammers away! Only $19.95US plus $300.25AU shipping and handling!

[Chenier]

I thought that one needed to create a user page before doing other edits? Yet they don't seem to be creating any.

[egamma]

I thought that one needed to create a user page before doing other edits? Yet they don't seem to be creating any.

sometimes they just create the "talk" part of their user page. I've seen some of the non-spammers do the same.

[Chenier]

sometimes they just create the "talk" part of their user page. I've seen some of the non-spammers do the same.

This counts?

Maybe if this was changed, it could help? If they truly are automated bots, that is.

[Tom]

This counts?

Maybe if this was changed, it could help? If they truly are automated bots, that is.

As I said: Find me some MediaWiki expansion that limits registering of new accounts. A simple free-form question would be enough. Something like "name one realm on the East Island" would be something that spam bots can't answer.

[Indirik]

The wiki update does not seem to have slowed down the spammers.... :(

[Tom]

The wiki update does not seem to have slowed down the spammers.... :(

Then go and find me an extension to ask questions, query the BM database, anything. I don't have time to search right now, but I will gladly add an extension that helps us.

[Indirik]

Anaris mentioned this one: http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:SimpleAntiSpam

I did a quick check the other day and seem to remember seeing one that might help. I'll go back and check again.

[Tom]

Anaris mentioned this one: http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:SimpleAntiSpam

installed

[Ramiel]

it doesnt seem to have worked.

[Tom]

spammers have probably evolved from when that was written.

So, find me a better extension, and I'll install it. I just don't have the time to hunt for anti-spam extensions right now.

[Ramiel]

If I even knew where to Look O Almighty Tom, I would ;) (am guessing its on that mediawiki thingy)

[De-Legro]

http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:ConfirmEdit

This might work, implements CAPTCHA techniques including Math ones, images ones and question ones. I think it can even be configured to only bother people when an external link is detected in the edit.

[Ramiel]

http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:QuestyCaptcha

Question: Name one of the two Testing Islands.

Would be simple enough anyone who plays Battlemaster I think.