jvvg wrote:

However, another possible solution would be to check the IP and email against http://stopforumspam.com. That is the service I use to prevent spam.

jontmy00 wrote:

jvvg wrote:

However, another possible solution would be to check the IP and email against http://stopforumspam.com. That is the service I use to prevent spam.

I'm not using a proxy.
I can't go on any website that has it.
It won't allow me to remove my IP.
Just no, it doesn't just stop bots, it stops real users.

jontmy00 wrote:

jvvg wrote:

However, another possible solution would be to check the IP and email against http://stopforumspam.com. That is the service I use to prevent spam.

I'm not using a proxy.
I can't go on any website that has it.
It won't allow me to remove my IP.
Just no, it doesn't just stop bots, it stops real users.

jvvg wrote:

jontmy00 wrote:

jvvg wrote:

However, another possible solution would be to check the IP and email against http://stopforumspam.com. That is the service I use to prevent spam.

I'm not using a proxy.
I can't go on any website that has it.
It won't allow me to remove my IP.
Just no, it doesn't just stop bots, it stops real users.

Go to the removal page and sumbit a removal request.

Your public IP address 2*0.255.2.*2 is in our database.
Your public IP address 2*0.255.2.*9 is in our database.
Your public IP address 2*0.255.2.*8 is in our database.

ErnieParke wrote:

Lirex wrote:

What about a CAPTCHA like this one?

I had some trouble reading that, and I'm still not sure what to put down (thanks to that 3, w, or m?). I'd even think that XRumer might be able to get through it, but then again, the circular nature of the text might stump it.

I do like the design and colors, though.

Lirex wrote:

ErnieParke wrote:

Lirex wrote:

What about a CAPTCHA like this one?

I had some trouble reading that, and I'm still not sure what to put down (thanks to that 3, w, or m?). I'd even think that XRumer might be able to get through it, but then again, the circular nature of the text might stump it.

I do like the design and colors, though.

Hmm, maybe I cloud change it to another font (the Scratch font?) or underline the letters or just turn them back to the right direction or something else…
Because this CAPTCHA is circular, it may confuse mosta (all?) bots, what a CAPTCHA is supposed to do.

Mozzi64 wrote:

Lirex wrote:

ErnieParke wrote:

Lirex wrote:

What about a CAPTCHA like this one?

I had some trouble reading that, and I'm still not sure what to put down (thanks to that 3, w, or m?). I'd even think that XRumer might be able to get through it, but then again, the circular nature of the text might stump it.

I do like the design and colors, though.

Hmm, maybe I cloud change it to another font (the Scratch font?) or underline the letters or just turn them back to the right direction or something else…
Because this CAPTCHA is circular, it may confuse mosta (all?) bots, what a CAPTCHA is supposed to do.

Yes, I agree: A circular CAPTCHA could stump it, But maybe the CAPTCHA could be in different shapes, like a triangle, square, star, or, most hardest to crack, a randomly-generated polygon.

ppettitt wrote:

Captcha is a great idea! I wonder why they haven't done that in the past…
EDIT: Of course, younger Scratchers might not be able to read it as well…

ProdigyZeta7 wrote:

To all of Scratch:

In the past 20 minutes I have found at least 8 topics created by spambots made in the last 24 hours. Just yesterday I found 6 more spam topics over the course of that day. Has activity always been this high? Last time I checked one or two topics were made every month or so. Something bad is happening, and it's happening fast. So why all of sudden we're being attacked more often?

There is a major flaw in the sign-up process: a lack of something to stump a spambot. Captcha could work, although I remember reading a post by jvvg that even spambots have the intelligence to bypass Captcha. Not good. We need something to gain the high ground against these malicious spambots and we need to do it fast, or else we will face another spambot invasion far worse than Scratch has encountered before. I'm not cynical, but the vulnerability of Scratch is a reality.

As for now, Scratch Team, I (we) wish that you consider adding an extra segment to the Join Scratch process: something that can beat a spambot while keeping it relatively easy for a 7-y/o to join.

And for everyone else, keep your eyes peeled for any suspicious topics with keywords “Live Stream”, “Watch”, along with names of people from sports and entertainment. Do not go to these malicious sites: unless you have an iPhone or some other tech that is untouchable by viruses it is highly advised you do not let these spambots win.

If you see a topic such as “Dude vs Dude2 Live Stream” or “hey bro whats up” that doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the forums, REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY. The report button is located in the bottom right corner of every post; when you click it, you will be asked to put in a reason for why you are reporting that post, so put in “Spam” or “Spambot” as the reason. It should take a few minutes (hours?) for a moderator/admin to pick up on the report and take down the topic along with terminating the spambot account. To see if any spambots have infected the forums, click the link “See unanswered posts” at the bottom-right of the main discuss page and locate suspicious topics.

Thank you for patience in reading this and I wish you luck in your fight against spam.

124816 wrote:

ProdigyZeta7 wrote:

-snip-

I definitely don't want the spambots to win.

scratchisthebest wrote:

We can't do “click the red button” because some Scratchers are colorblind.
I think the jquery slider is our best bet.

Lirex wrote:

scratchisthebest wrote:

We can't do “click the red button” because some Scratchers are colorblind.
I think the jquery slider is our best bet.

Do you need JavaScript to register? Because what would happen when someone (a bot) has JavaScript disabled?

jvvg wrote:

I came up with a pretty cool solution.

Unfortunately, I am on a tablet right now and can't implement it on anything, and all I have to show right now is what I wrote on the back of an airline ticket.

–snip–

I apologize for my bad handwriting.

Registration Page
~~~~
Frame: verification from another domain (?)
~~~~
Submit:
If IP entry dated within 10 minutes in
database, then accept.
Otherwise, reject registration.
——————–
Verification Page
Enter this code: #####
[_________] [Go]
Submit: If ??? then add database entry for IP address lasting 10 minutes

ProdigyZeta7 wrote:

jvvg wrote:

I came up with a pretty cool solution.

Unfortunately, I am on a tablet right now and can't implement it on anything, and all I have to show right now is what I wrote on the back of an airline ticket.

–snip–

I apologize for my bad handwriting.

Let me make that more readable….

Registration Page
~~~~
Frame: verification from another domain (?)
~~~~
Submit:
If IP entry dated within 10 minutes in
database, then accept.
Otherwise, reject registration.
——————–
Verification Page
Enter this code: #####
[_________] [Go]
Submit: If ??? then add database entry for IP address lasting 10 minutes