We don' take to yer kind much aroun' these parts

[itches]

The uptick in spambots registering on Orp has been growing more and more over the year, and a few days ago it finally reached the climax. The automated defences that are meant to keep them out had failed and Orp has been receiving 50+ successful registrations of spambots in a 24 hour period.

You may have noticed.

Sadly this happened right as I started a new job, so my time to stand over Orp, flaming sword in hand has been limited. LeeCHeSSS is going to upgrade the forum software on the weekend to increase the security and hopefully stop the flood of foul spambots, but until then Registration has been closed.

I will say that again for clarity. New users will not be able to register on Orp for the next few days. We will notify everyone when registration is activated again.

On a slightly more positive note, there are a group of people who by far more then anyone else are the ones to hit the Report button when they spot spam. Your help in this matter is greatly appreciated. Because of this I'm going to out you guys.

In no particular order:
Tashalar
zachol
Gralhruk
Mercutio
LynMars

It may not seem like much, but your help makes a difference. Thank you.

[LeeCHeSSS]

Bah, I've been postponing the update for too long (it's a LOT of work due to conflicting plugins and new features), but now I really have to...

[Tashalar]

Yep, have been noting it.

After I reported one or two today, I checked the list of active users and found quite a few that were 'forever banned' and some who seemed like they should be.

One was online even though it stated 'forever banned' - I'm not quite sure how that was possible, really.


On a sidenote - if we know someone who wants to register and we 'know' he/she/it (no.. wait... scrap the last one) is not a spambot, can we PM one of you to get her/him registered?

http://online-roleplaying.com/forums/image.php?u=1&dateline=1111567154 and admin team: Thanks for the work to keep ORP spam-free! :)

Edit: Hrmpf. How do I post pics? I'm such a newb at times. :x-eyed:

[BigRedRod]

Yeah, the closure will be short term but we can manually make accounts if needed.

And yes, it's much easier to sort out the spam when it gets reported. So thanks for that.

[LuneMoonshadow]

Hmm... I never really notice it. I guess I just happen to log on after the cleanup occurs. Great job, then.

[Tashalar]

Yep, you have to be a real troll to notice.

[LeadPal]

Even with my greatly increased presence I haven't seen any spam yet. You guys are doing a great job.

[itches]

One was online even though it stated 'forever banned' - I'm not quite sure how that was possible, really.

Perfectly possible, only instead of seeing the website they tried to load they see the witty ban message.

[Tashalar]

Aw... I want to see that witty ban message!!

... and no, you won't misinterprete that wish, itches.

[BigRedRod]

Every one gets it own witty ban message. Although we've been so overrun I've not had time to think up gems for each and every one this last week.

[zachol]

my god! i'm on the front page!! ohmygod!! squeeee!!! *dies*


...

Also, why the HELL am I one of the "top 5" spam reporters?
Pathetic. Pathetic I say!

[Lune]

Top 5 spammers I might believe... *ducks*

[zachol]

Hey you're just jealous.

[LeadPal]

Little Z spams, then reports it himself? It's like spam tennis!

[zachol]

You know what screw you guys.

[LeadPal]

So, admins. How goes the battle against the Spampocalypse?

[Tashalar]

I think everything's great. I mean... no spammers can register, so there's nothing for us to report.

BUT. I think it'll be a while until LeeCHeSSS gets the update done. It seemed to be a rather major/complicated one.

[itches]

So, admins. How goes the battle against the Spampocalypse?

Delayed, registration reopenedp (http://online-roleplaying.com/forums/showthread.php?p=329726#post329726)