Change Forum Rule

[SmogHog]

IMO members signatures should not be allowed to have links.

This is needed to protect the community.

Opposing views welcomed.

[powerpack]

I disagree!

OK I don't I just need to keep my post count up.

Smog I know there is a reason, say more. I have also seen our new friends who are bots or something close.

[SmogHog]

Hidden in Links:

#1 Ads for cell phones
#2 Kiddy Porn
#3 Malware Trojan Dialers,Rootkits,Fake AV,Keyloggers

[singleshot71]

RULE#1 NEVER NEVER I MEAN NEVER EVER FOR ANY REASON click a link from someone you don't know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Problem solved

[powerpack]

Rule#2 Never and I mean Never if you click on a link and dork your system admit to it.

[lightgeoduck]

I am no expert, but links in signatures could either be beneficial to both parties involved or detrimental.... A link in a signature creates a linkback (which is only visible to the forum staff) so if you want tons of traffic to your forum it isn't a bad thing necessarily.... Now for a forum like this a supplier specific forum.. it all depends if xotic pc wants more 'visibility'


I am sure I am explaining it wrong.. or got something confused, but either way... if links are to be allowed... then the forum admins need to be selective.


LGD

[singleshot71]

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:: notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:laugh::lau gh::laugh::laugh::laugh::notworthy:laugh::notworth y:laugh::notworthy:yes::yes::yes::yes::yes:Rule#2 Never and I mean Never if you click on a link and dork your system admit to it.

[SmogHog]

Information on spambots and how to stop them.

Captcha is ineffective.

http://www.webmasterworld.com/webmaster/4199035-1-30.htm?highlight=known%20bot%20ip%20database#msg42 52124

[shade69]

Information on spambots and how to stop them.

Captcha is ineffective.

http://www.webmasterworld.com/webmaster/4199035-1-30.htm?highlight=known%20bot%20ip%20database#msg42 52124


Its a link...must not click........must not click....

[SmogHog]

Anyone changing their thinking about links in signatures,screening a new members first post or other protective measures.

In the past hour the site has gained a few more bot members.

Many new bot members don't make any posts so they're are probably testing the administrators vbulletin security for incerting malicious code

[powerpack]

Did you see my other post? These bots are getting better at speaking our language. Sigs only for members with 1000000 posts?

[SmogHog]

This site is probaly in the database of the humans pressing the buttons.

They will keep testing the site until they give up or find a weakness and exploit it.

This sites old version of vbulletin was replaced in late 2009 with a more secure version 4 after many exploits were found.

Why this site didn't upgrade the vbulletin?

[Slowboto]

Woo, a new thread to participate in. I see where you are coming from with that rule but I think singleshot got it right. Never click on a link if you don't know the person. I think if someone wants to have a link in their sig that is fine although most on here don't do that. Just common sense these days not to click on a link if you don't know the person, especially if that person has a very low post count.

[SmogHog]

Woo, a new thread to participate in. I see where you are coming from with that rule but I think singleshot got it right. Never click on a link if you don't know the person. I think if someone wants to have a link in their sig that is fine although most on here don't do that. Just common sense these days not to click on a link if you don't know the person, especially if that person has a very low post count.

While many links are harmless advertisements a few aren't so harmless.

There are bots that release their malicious code when only one unsuspecting forum visitor clicks on the link causing the code in the popup ad to attack an under unprotected administrator section in vbulletin.The result is a virus/trojan infection to each visitor to the website forum.

So far this sites protection seems to be holding against this type of attack but I've been on sites that didn't.

Most AVs won't detect this malware when you scan your computer and try to get rid of it.

Hitman Pro has been known to find these infections as well as EmsiSoft AntiMalware.Malwarebytes does not.

So,I ask again,why does any legit member need to put links in their signature?

[acheronx1]

I'd have to agree with Smog. If you take into consideration the practicality of signatures... they are just a blurb of words. A link isn't your words, you're sending users to another place.

I support removing the ability to post URLs in signatures. If you're a legit member here, you should understand the reasoning behind this.

[Keeper]

I'd have to agree with Smog. If you take into consideration the practicality of signatures... they are just a blurb of words. A link isn't your words, you're sending users to another place.

I support removing the ability to post URLs in signatures. If you're a legit member here, you should understand the reasoning behind this.

I also support this change!

[powerpack]

If it would make the bots go away I have no problem with removing links from sigs. But I think the bots would just move the links to the post area?

[Maverick494]

perhaps upgrading the site would be a first step to try and help the problem and then re-evaluate if the banning of links in sigs is still needed (though I suspect it will be)

[SmogHog]

perhaps upgrading the site would be a first step to try and help the problem and then re-evaluate if the banning of links in sigs is still needed (though I suspect it will be)

You'll probably never be able to stop all spamming but there's many things that can be done to prevent a lot/most of it.

Good moderator coverage can greatly reduce the spammers time for being viewed and causing any havoc to the site,members or viewers.

Zap the posts,ban the poster,and enter the IP used into the Administrators banned IP list as quick as possible.

Upgrade vbulletin

Moderate all first posts quickly before allowing it.No links permitted in 1st post.

No signature links.

BTW I'm no expert about this;it's only common sense.

[SmogHog]

Have you noticed all the spambots we have gotten with the ICQ icon.

Roel Schouwenberg, a Kaspersky researcher, says he has found malicious ads in ICQ (http://www.securelist.com/en/blog/11137/Malicious_ads_through_ICQ). Hit the link for the complete rundown on how a trusted program can be used to attack your computer.

[acheronx1]

There's a lot of "new" users registering lately with a bunch of jibberish in their names but doing nothing. As long as they don't start posting, we're good.

[SmogHog]

Good is subjective.

Attacks you never see.

Internet Spiders and Bots coded to look like a browser and bypass the robot.text folder in the forum program will harvest all the email addresses and personal information stored about members.

This harvested info is sold on the Internet by the Spider code writers.

Googlebot is a so called good spider.

[acheronx1]

Good point. I didn't think of that one.

6 "bots" are listed as online. 2 regular/actual members... That's just sad. Lol.

[SmogHog]

Over 90 users on-line now:)

The bots are making us look better:eek:

BTW I've received some requests for my avatar to shed her red jumpsuit.

Not a chance....perverts

[acheronx1]

Not really when 75% of those users are bots. :P

[Keeper]

The jumpsuit does not leave much to the imagination anyway, though I am fond of red heads O.O

[acheronx1]

Rumour has it, that red head is really Smog.

Pass it on.

[SmogHog]

LMAO,user name "linkexchangexxpaczka2"just joined the site without any problem.Captcha is absolutely useless!

linkexchangexxpaczka2 is in the bot database 839 times

Country of origin: Russian Federation

IP address 92.241.169.234

Administrator,it would be an excellent idea to ban this IP address.

[Keeper]

LMAO,user name "linkexchangexxpaczka2"just joined the site without any problem.Captcha is absolutely useless!

linkexchangexxpaczka2 is in the bot database 839 times

Country of origin: Russian Federation

IP address 92.241.169.234

Administrator,it would be an excellent idea to ban this IP address.

That is one clever name!