Spam Attack

[Ed Lecuyer]

Hi all,

At 1:43am, EST the WW&F forum received its first spam/inaproppriate posting. By 8:00am it had been removed.

I call this out for a few reasons:
1. To thank those who reported it to the Forum admins.

2. To remind everyone that while we do have good security in-place, it is not perfect - so please be aware that if a post looks funny - it just might be - and don't click on any links from that post.

3. It is much easier for James and I to keep track of these things if everyone uses their real name (or close proximity like "Ed L") as the display name in the forum. Directions on how to set this up (if you haven't done so already) is in this thread:
http://forum.wwfry.org/index.php?topic=3.0

Let me know if you have trouble setting up your display name - I will be happy to set it for you.

Thanks,

-Ed Lecuyer
Asst. Moderator, WW&F Discussion Forum

[James Patten]

I have tightened up how new users can join the forums.  For the time being it will require either Ed or I to approve that user.

[Mike Fox]

Glad to hear it. I was waiting to see someone register as Forney lover or 0-6-0 nut. I hope this solves it. I know it is more work for you two but I think we have something good going here. I would hate to see it spoiled by someone.

[Ed Lecuyer]

Forney Lover or 0-6-0 Nut are the lesser of the problems...
...today alone I rejected a dozen "buyviagrahere.com" and similar addresses.

These spammers have no mercy. It's much more work to moderate it this way, that's for sure - but I get a lot from this forum and I don't want to see it hijacked and/or ruined either.

-Ed Lecuyer

[Mike Fox]

Keep up the good work. We don't need to see any ads or sites on here that has to deal with that.

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

James and Ed,  I visit a lot of railroad and fire department forums.  Some are good while others are not even worth the time.  Thanks to your efforts our forum is top drawer.  We don't need junk messages, etc.  Your efforts are appreciated!!

[Pete "Cosmo" Barrington]

Here hear! 3 cheers for Ed & Co.!

Perhaps now might be a good time to warn folks not to join Grouply, or if they do, don't expect to join this forum after? 

(I know of several forums who's moderators will immediately delete GROUPLY messages and either ban or SEVERELY moderate the originater. GROUPLY is largely concidered an internet PITA, and should be avoided entirely.)

[Matthew Gustafson]

Glad to hear it. I was waiting to see someone register as Forney lover or 0-6-0 nut. I hope this solves it. I know it is more work for you two but I think we have something good going here. I would hate to see it spoiled by someone.

Why an 0-6-0 nut? Did Maine 2 foot railroads have any 0-6-0's? 

[Matthew Gustafson]

Here hear! 3 cheers for Ed & Co.!

Perhaps now might be a good time to warn folks not to join Grouply, or if they do, don't expect to join this forum after? 

(I know of several forums who's moderators will immediately delete GROUPLY messages and either ban or SEVERELY moderate the originater. GROUPLY is largely concidered an internet PITA, and should be avoided entirely.)

Nah we should call them the EJPD or Ed & James Police Force of the WW&F to protect and serve our site from the hands of spamers! 

[Mike Fox]

Why an 0-6-0 nut? Did Maine 2 foot railroads have any 0-6-0's? 

They did not have any 0-6-0. I was just making a point. I don't like when people hide under a screen name like GG1 or MEC573. You have no idea as to the real identity of that person. Screen names are fine as long as the have part of your real name included.

[Ed Lecuyer]

I should say thanks to everyone for now using their real names in their posts.

Also, the automatic spam-bot filter seems to be working very well. (James and I used to get dozens of "request to join" emails every day - each requiring manual processing. Now, its down to only 2 or 3 a day.)

Basically, moderating the forum is a lot less than the chore it was a month ago, which is a good thing.