Spammer's, scammer's etc...

Re: suspended: Eric_cartman, Tcejorp_Dcjx

Having an "Open Door Policy," where pirates and profiteers can very quickly and easily spot the great number of our membership, for direct contact, in one fell-swoop; I'm surprised this site isn't more frequently invaded by the vast multitude of spammer's, scammer's, phisher's and crooks constantly looking for their next victim or few.

I doubt that many would object to having a membership screening initiative that would serve to prevent, or at the very least, limit this site to being infiltrated by those whose primary interest lies in the size of our widespread membership and online audience; while lacking the Bona Fides of a two-wheeled conveyance made in Japan.

This is about 2-cents worth; right?

 

An moderator/admin approved account. Once suspended it would be much more difficult to gain posting rights again.

We've done it before...

 

I think the optional pre-approval system available to Admin, with Moderator screening and approval privileges, similar to that used by Yahoo Groups, is very good -- if not excellent.

But the Yahoo Group is primarily an Email forwarding forum. When a new member "Subscribes" -- the candidate gets a welcome letter which asks that they answer a few very basic questions about their bike, their interests and motivation.

The Administrator and Moderators receive the prospects answer; and render judgment based on the response to the questionnaire.

In my Yahoo Group "XJ-Planet" -- spammers and porn-pedlar's went from "All too frequent" - to - Zero ... almost overnight.

 

I'm also a member of Rick's Yahoo group, No spammers or scammers there at all

 

Great idea, Rick!

The fewer of those con artists, the better.

 

What a shame that we even have to think about this subject.

I don't advocate the old head in the sand, I'm just dissapointed....again.
What a world this is these days!

 

Gotta disagree with this one Sno.

Primarily due to the fact that not all sites I sign up with are reputable so therefore I choose to sign up on ALL internet forums/sites with my hotmail account so I don't end up with more spam in my personal email account.

IMO, of hotmail is not good enough then the site is not worth my attention.

God know, we get enough spam in our email as it is without some of the unscrupulous activities of some greedy webmasters. (Not here of course)

Unfortunately the only real option is a moderator approval process. A manual and time consuming requirement for sure but seems to be used on more forums than any other method. Frankly, I don't mind waiting up to 24 hrs for approval if the site is worth it.

The downside is, this method is not foolproof. No method is. I could easily sign up with multiple accounts from different IP addy's and different email addresses with very little effort.

Tighten up the sign up a little, but there will always be the need for more moderator intervention no matter what the procedure. Spammers are going to new lengths to get their garbage out there so it won't be long before things are so tight the internet won't be worth visiting. :x

An example of this is an unpublished (not on google) web page of mine that has a guest book attached. I now have spammers spamming in my guest book!!!! Nobody reads it so it is a worthless,trivial spot to post spam, but it's one of the areas targetted because everything else is getting so tight.

 

You have a very good point HG. I am, like most of us (if not all), greatly annoyed by spam and the like. As in most things in life, no good deed goes unpunished and it sadly seems as though this wonderful tool (the internet) is just another means for creeps to take advantage of. It, as you pointed out, will be like this until the end of time owing to human nature and the freedom that we enjoy with this medium. Sadly, these cretins are the price we pay for freedom. Freedom is not free, it is paid for and eternal vigilance is the price we pay. I do agree that there should be some sort of vetting process involved in membership but this equates to a fair shake of time on the part of the parties involved with making that decision. Additionally, there will be instances in which someone will feel that a fair shake was not given to their application (I think about what my submission would have looked like, IMO I would have reason to worry). I'm going to have to say I think it best to leave well enough alone and, when the occasional twit happens along, we should all just agree to let them alone, they will quicky tire and move along. It sounds to me to be the most reasonable response that allows for the freedoms we wish to enjoy and the open policy that we encourage. I am open to thoughts, but I will question anything that curtails freedoms.

 

On the 250 board it's a simple challenge system - real name, working email address. It takes a few hours-day to get them approved. The thing is if you are just in it to abuse the system you can only hurl a few insults before you get deleted and have to wait another day.

We don't have essays, and although interesting, I don't think it would work for us over there...

 

As a Veteran, I can appreciate Robert's opinion on this matter and do fully respect the Freedom Issue.

However, my take on the situation is more like this: Etiquette.

The situation is closer to entering a fine restaurant, known for it's highest quality dining, service and excellent entertainment.

Before allowing a guest to enter the Dining Room, the Captain must consider if the party is dressed according to the standards set by the entrepreneur.

If gentlemen are required to wear jackets and neckties; the Captain cannot allow the patron into the dining area until properly attired.

If you are the Captain, here, you just very politely state the Owner's prerequisites to the guest, and request they return when properly attired.

Simple as that.

 

Gee, I'm flattered.......LOL! :lol:

 

I like your analogy Rick, well put.