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[Richard Bravo Company: Life Force International Contribution Level: 9]

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OK folks this is going to be short and to the point:

STOP TALKING TO SPAM BOTS!

Here's what I mean ...

By now most of you should be able to recognize a post in the forum that was created either by a "bot" (automated software) or an outsourced person to spam this forum; or any forum.

They almost always consist of lame little one liners disguised as a genuine comment, but never really say anything, they're typically in broken English or full of grammatical errors AND the big clue is that they link drop right on their comment to anything from vacations, apparel, car parts and all sorts of totally off topic items.

There are a slew of them going around right now as we speak.

STOP REPLYING TO THEM
REPORT THEM & IGNORE THE POST
And for the love of god DO NOT CLICK on their links!

This just validates the spammers post and draws more attention to it.

Plus this causes a logistical backlash to the BN moderators because now not only do they have the spammer to deal with, but you as a valid member have chimed in and now they have to deal with the fact that you earned "points" with your post and other factors.

If you ignore the post and report it as Jason has adamantly been promoting to everyone, then they can very easily single out the spammers tracks and delete every trace of them.

But once you start yelling at these auto spam bots it changes the game and makes that more complicated, leaving all this garbage on the site.

Make Sense?
Alrighty then ... That's all I've got for now.
Cheers!

~Richard
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[Tommy DiPietro Company: Herbalife International of America, Inc. Contribution Level: 3]

Ok Richard, my bad.

I post a sarcastic reply to obvious spam comment but...

Still reported them.

Wish there was something to do to prevent the overwhelming spam.

Is it possible for the BN crew to add a security code to post a comment.

Tommy D.

[Richard Bravo Company: Life Force International Contribution Level: 9]

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that is a great idea Tommy.
I know there are features that can be activated or plugins that can be added to the forum to require a security/human check to be in place such as a captcha code or math question.
Maybe the admins can look into that.

Another HUGE factor is simply implementing "new member" permissions such as "you can't post a link until you've posted at least X times in the forum" and other things like "you can't put links in your signature until you've posted X times in the forum."

That alone would probably kill 99% of the automated spam around here AND would filter the trolls that show up just to paste their HUGE signature in useless comments.
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[Tommy DiPietro Company: Herbalife International of America, Inc. Contribution Level: 3]

I mentioned other ideas like no posting until you uploaded a profile pictues, a code and post requirements are a great idea.

James Stein really made the most honest post reply to Jason Better's post about upholding the ABN ethics code.

In reality, moderating these forums should be a priority if this site wants to live up to its name.

This morning the "Latest Content" section was completely overtaken by complete SPAM content.

It would be in BN's best interest to come up with a plan to straighten the community.

[Jason Better Contribution Level: 5]

Hah Dean, you crack me up.

I'm pretty sure that I didn't mean welcome the spam bots with a loving hug when I wrote that one.

Please, if anybody sees these do not waste your time talking to them or trying to "scare" them off. Robots are difficult to intimidate.

Richard is right on, ignore them and report them by submitting a support request:

http://www.betternetworker.com/help

It's tempting to draw a six shooter when one of these robots hops along but it's just a waste of lead.

[Adam Holland Company: Global Resorts Network Contribution Level: 3]

Simple solution: you have to be an ABN member to POST. Anyone can view, but if you want to post anything you gotta pay. Pretty easy.

The warriorforum did something like this (called the "war room") last year. It's been great!

Adam

[Dorina Lanza Company: Nu Skin Enterprises Contribution Level: 3]

Hah Dean, you crack me up.

I'm pretty sure that I didn't mean welcome the spam bots with a loving hug when I wrote that one.

Please, if anybody sees these do not waste your time talking to them or trying to "scare" them off. Robots are difficult to intimidate.

Richard is right on, ignore them and report them by submitting a support request:

http://www.betternetworker.com/help

It's tempting to draw a six shooter when one of these robots hops along but it's just a waste of lead.

I have ventilated a number of bots that have been uncooperative - albeit never with a six-shooter . . .

[Dorina Lanza Company: Nu Skin Enterprises Contribution Level: 3]

OK no more talking to the spam bots.... I wouldn't want to put BN staff in a dilemma over what to do with the points I rack up in idle chit chat.

Those of us dumb enough to attempt rational interaction with a spam bot deserve to have our points deleted - perhaps all of them . . . heheheh . . .

[edited because I am unable to type]

[Don Egnor Contribution Level: 4]

Hah Dean, you crack me up.

I'm pretty sure that I didn't mean welcome the spam bots with a loving hug when I wrote that one.

Please, if anybody sees these do not waste your time talking to them or trying to "scare" them off. Robots are difficult to intimidate.

Richard is right on, ignore them and report them by submitting a support request:

http://www.betternetworker.com/help

It's tempting to draw a six shooter when one of these robots hops along but it's just a waste of lead.

I have ventilated a number of bots that have been uncooperative - albeit never with a six-shooter . . .

That would be the next step Dorina...the cyberspace six-shooter...The Cyber-Shooter!

[Dorina Lanza Company: Nu Skin Enterprises Contribution Level: 3]

I prefer a 50 . . .