Suspect Spam posts.
- Thread starter Martin24
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Parksy
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- Nov 12, 2009
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I'm not sure what this topic is all about, sorry Hutch but your comment made no sense.
As for Spam, most attempts are filtered automatically, Damian and myself often spot attempts which we take down, and we are often greatly helped when members report the ones that they see.
As for Spam, most attempts are filtered automatically, Damian and myself often spot attempts which we take down, and we are often greatly helped when members report the ones that they see.
- Aug 23, 2009
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Parksy and Damian,
As there have been a few spammers, although probably the same person as the words used are the same, I think it's time again to thank you both for all you do for us mods for this forum.
I'd just like to say to newer members that may not know that you both put in a lot of hours with no financial renumeration to keep the forum safe, polite, well policed and at the same time only stepping in where members have perhaps strayed from straight and narrow on emotive issues.
The way that you keep things fair and balanced is appreciated by the majority of site users so thank you.
As there have been a few spammers, although probably the same person as the words used are the same, I think it's time again to thank you both for all you do for us mods for this forum.
I'd just like to say to newer members that may not know that you both put in a lot of hours with no financial renumeration to keep the forum safe, polite, well policed and at the same time only stepping in where members have perhaps strayed from straight and narrow on emotive issues.
The way that you keep things fair and balanced is appreciated by the majority of site users so thank you.
- Nov 11, 2009
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- Nov 16, 2015
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Sorry Parksy, I was having a light hearted dig to Craig, just thought that if "we" reply to a thread that has "Nothing" on it it could have a Malware that could infect our tablets/ computers.
I very much Appreciate yours and Damians help on this forum.
Best Regards
Hutch.
I very much Appreciate yours and Damians help on this forum.
Best Regards
Hutch.
Parksy
Moderator
- Nov 12, 2009
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Thank you for your kind words and your support.
We are greatly helped when forum members report suspicious posts, for example forum members kindly let me know that a person (who turned out to be the headphones spammer) had reopened a very old topic with an innocuous comment, which is always a good indicator.
I'd noticed the old post but didn't remove the post at the time because the comment broke no rules and I'd hate to deter a bona-fide newbie who hadn't noticed the dates, so we had to wait until the person involved broke the rules by posting unauthorised adverts.
As it happened I have to have my tea and get ready to go out early on Monday evenings, and I missed the excitement, so Damian did the honours as he often does.
As it happens, it's a very simple matter to remove every single post, and every trace of a spammer including their profile from both the forum and the website with just a couple of mouse clicks.
Moderators now have a very good system to deal with spammers which can do the business within a few seconds, unlike the old days before the forum was upgraded when the process could take some time.
The majority of unauthorised advertising attempts never reach the message boards, the Haymarket defence systems identify the potential rubbish and we never see it.
We are greatly helped when forum members report suspicious posts, for example forum members kindly let me know that a person (who turned out to be the headphones spammer) had reopened a very old topic with an innocuous comment, which is always a good indicator.
I'd noticed the old post but didn't remove the post at the time because the comment broke no rules and I'd hate to deter a bona-fide newbie who hadn't noticed the dates, so we had to wait until the person involved broke the rules by posting unauthorised adverts.
As it happened I have to have my tea and get ready to go out early on Monday evenings, and I missed the excitement, so Damian did the honours as he often does.
As it happens, it's a very simple matter to remove every single post, and every trace of a spammer including their profile from both the forum and the website with just a couple of mouse clicks.
Moderators now have a very good system to deal with spammers which can do the business within a few seconds, unlike the old days before the forum was upgraded when the process could take some time.
The majority of unauthorised advertising attempts never reach the message boards, the Haymarket defence systems identify the potential rubbish and we never see it.
Hi Parksy/ Damian, I have always used the name of the old firm , I changed it to the name given to me by fellow members as it was shorter, then that was changed to my present one , please advise
Cheers Roger
Cheers Roger
Parksy
Moderator
- Nov 12, 2009
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Hi Roger, nice to see you on the forum 
Please bear with us until Monday, I'm sure that there must be an easy method with which to change your forum username, but sadly I can't for the life of me think what it is.
Before the forum upgrade mods could alter your profile information if necessary, but there's a privacy issue so we quite rightly no longer have that kind of access.
I'll contact our ever helpful and resourceful admin Lizzie Pope on Monday and I'm sure that she'll be able to help you.
Please bear with us until Monday, I'm sure that there must be an easy method with which to change your forum username, but sadly I can't for the life of me think what it is.
Before the forum upgrade mods could alter your profile information if necessary, but there's a privacy issue so we quite rightly no longer have that kind of access.
I'll contact our ever helpful and resourceful admin Lizzie Pope on Monday and I'm sure that she'll be able to help you.
- Oct 5, 2017
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Hi Parksy,
I have had a similar spammer problem with the Westerly Owners Association website Forum I moderate. (In my case, there is only me, but can get the administrator to moderate when I am away).
The only difference is that I have to approve new posting members, and do this by looking at their IP address (https://www.ip-adress.com), email address and suffix, and other indicators before I approve them to post. And there I have another backup in that the first five posts have to be moderated by me before approval. We also have a cryptic question to be answered before coming for approval. This stops auto-spamming.
I no longer go sailing, and am converting my boat sale money into a caravan next April - you may have noticed that I have asked a few questions already, and have taken note of the replies.
I know how you feel doing the moderation - it can take a lot of time.
I have had a similar spammer problem with the Westerly Owners Association website Forum I moderate. (In my case, there is only me, but can get the administrator to moderate when I am away).
The only difference is that I have to approve new posting members, and do this by looking at their IP address (https://www.ip-adress.com), email address and suffix, and other indicators before I approve them to post. And there I have another backup in that the first five posts have to be moderated by me before approval. We also have a cryptic question to be answered before coming for approval. This stops auto-spamming.
I no longer go sailing, and am converting my boat sale money into a caravan next April - you may have noticed that I have asked a few questions already, and have taken note of the replies.
I know how you feel doing the moderation - it can take a lot of time.
Parksy
Moderator
- Nov 12, 2009
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philip_stevens said:
Hi Phillip
Fortunately the mass of spambot generated adware or malware material aimed at this website is filtered automatically before it comes anywhere near our message boards.
Occasionally a determined spammer will penetrate to the message board via manual posting, much more time consuming for them than it is for us! :lol:
On the rare occasions that this happens, if either Damian or myself haven't already seen the offending content and removed all traces of it and of the spammer we invariably receive multiple reports which direct us to the material which we then promptly deal with.
New forum members are welcomed here without reservation, we normally have no formal vetting procedure or limits imposed by us.
Of course both Damian and myself have moderated this forum for quite a while, Damian longer than me, so we've become accustomed to spotting the signs that an apparently innocent newbie may not be what they appear to be.
We prefer to operate on the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, but as soon as the rules are deliberately flouted by commercial interests or rogue elements one or the other of us normally deals with the issue promptly, it's fun. :lol:
We're quite fortunate here, Damian and myself usually manage to deal with most issues between us, and of course we have our excellent digital editor and administrator Lizzie Pope, who not only introduces many interesting and varied topics to the message boards but who provides back up and wise counsel whenever we need it.
Good luck with the boat sale and enjoy your search for a caravan Phillip.
It goes without saying that if you need any help, advice or tips just ask on this forum, it's always better to ask what may seem to be a silly question than not to ask the question that you should have.
I see that you live in one of my all time favourite places, we visit every year staying at Polmanter Touring Park so if you're around next June (ish) when we go, pop round to say hello
- Oct 5, 2017
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If you come out of Polmanter and turn left along the narrow lane, and continue across the St Ives road, towards the church, you will drive past our place.
Looking forward to meeting you.
Looking forward to meeting you.
- Oct 12, 2013
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Nice site, I just wish we had better weather when we went down in 2o16. I think it was you parksy that told me about it . Bit strict for the kids though , no scooters , no roller boots , and they got wrong for playing with their ball on our bit off pitch !!! They might as well say no kids on site to !
Parksy
Moderator
- Nov 12, 2009
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I think that there's an indoor kids play area and a field away from the caravans where ball games can be played.
There's quite a bit of vehicular traffic on that site and with the sloping driveways I can understand why scooters and roller boots are not allowed because it would be all too easy for a child to be hurt.
As a retired couple we don't have young children and usually go during school term time so it's never been an issue for us Craig.
We hope to take my six year old granddaughter on a few C&CC District Association rallies next year, our local DA is very child friendly with lots of things for them to do, it's cheap as chips and no need to book.
There's quite a bit of vehicular traffic on that site and with the sloping driveways I can understand why scooters and roller boots are not allowed because it would be all too easy for a child to be hurt.
As a retired couple we don't have young children and usually go during school term time so it's never been an issue for us Craig.
We hope to take my six year old granddaughter on a few C&CC District Association rallies next year, our local DA is very child friendly with lots of things for them to do, it's cheap as chips and no need to book.
- Jul 22, 2014
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:lol: - you would not approve me then - that ip-address utility (which incidentally gave me a pop-under ad) places me in Camberwell, South London, 150 miles away from where I really am in South Wales. It's an even worse shot than Google which seems to think I live some of the time in Uxbridge and the remainder in St Albans; at least, it keeps recommending a dentist in St Albans. I'm not sure what you would make of my email address either - it passes through a rather convoluted route with spam defences all the way.philip_stevens said:
My understanding is that IP addresses are allocated to ISPs in blocks which have nothing to do with their customers' locations. My ISP is based up North, even further from Camberwell.
- Oct 5, 2017
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I am not so interested in actual locations within the UK, but whether the application comes from Eastern Europe or the Asian subcontinent. .ru were the main problem.
Anyway, let's get back to caravans.
Anyway, let's get back to caravans.
- Jul 11, 2015
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EH52ARH said:Phillip, you will find some threads on the forum will divert away from the original posting, and can at times be helpfull. All part of being a forum. And by the way Welcome. From a Grockle.
Hutch.
Yes, I know this happens - after being on the YBW.com Practical Boat Owner site for a great many years. "Diversions" were as often as tacking on sailing boats!!
It was about spam and DrZhivago was only saying that the IP site does not show where you actually reside.
Monty Python - the TV could do worse than bring back episodes and comedies like Monty Python, rather than the supposedly "funny" programs on TV nowadays.
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