Spam attack. Please nuke them.

[OcTradism]

Spam attacks from newbie today.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5296899.0: Mahmu
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5296895.0: Jamanea
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5296891.0: houdaed
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5296883.0: paponasasas
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5296879.0: plmkiujnbhy
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5296896.0: houdaed
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5296893.0: kjlakonkj
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5296876.0: hyuioptretyuu
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=2894395 mnhgfdertyuq
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=2894080 wilesaaen7

[ranochigo]

There was a huge influx of spam recently but not uncommon. Just use the report to moderator button to report it. It'll get removed soon when one of them reviews it.

[Mbitr]

It’s pretty relentless this spamming over the last couple of weeks . My report to moderator tab is getting worn out 
Is there any other way ? I know the mods are working real hard at the moment , but long term is there any other solution?

[ranochigo]

Is there any other way ? I know the mods are working real hard at the moment , but long term is there any other solution?

There's an auto mod that automatically nukes the user, CMIIW. I'm not sure why it isn't working now. Some of the bots actually masks the spam by copying other posts and inserting their spam in the middle, will be harder to counter in that case.

[eaLiTy]

Some of the bots actually masks the spam by copying other posts and inserting their spam in the middle, will be harder to counter in that case.

The spammers are mixing things and sometimes they edit the links entirely after sometime and copying other users post so that the account remains idle for a while and then start the attack again.

Few of the users i reported today completely edited the spam links and included generic content, hopefully the mods nuke those accounts as well.

[UserU]

Surprising that they've been targeting Bitcoin Discussion as of late in addition to the Off-Topic.

About time for those mods to celebrate their Christmas in front of their PCs

[The Sceptical Chymist]

Surprising that they've been targeting Bitcoin Discussion as of late in addition to the Off-Topic.

Ah, that's why I have no idea what OP was talking about--I've got Bitcoin Discussion on ignore (and Off-Topic).

I really think Bitcoin Discussion needs at least one additional moderator.  If you think about the most popular, most important sections of the forum, Bitcoin Discussion ought to be the section that's kept spam/shitpost/shit-thread-free.  Unfortunately, it's been filled with garbage for years, and it's where shitposters know they can post gibberish without anyone noticing it, for the sole reason that there's so much of it.

So yeah, nuke these jerkoffs.  But man, Bitcoin Discussion seriously needs to be cleaned up in general.

[pooya87]

Unfortunately, it's been filled with garbage for years, and it's where shitposters know they can post gibberish without anyone noticing it, for the sole reason that there's so much of it.

The only viable solution to this problem is better signature campaign moderation. If the campaign managers don't pay for mindless gibberish posts that sometimes even repeat the same answer given a couple of posts earlier, then the shitposters have no other option but to stop shitposting and start spending some brainpower.

[Lucius]

I really think Bitcoin Discussion needs at least one additional moderator. 

I think the main problem is not the lack of moderators, every post I report on that board is handled pretty quickly - but the problem is that there seem to be too few reports that would make a difference between spam paradise and a somewhat clean board. Many members like you have put that board on ignore, and that then surely results in quite a bit of spammer freedom in that board. Of course it would help to have one moderator who would make order in that board regardless of the reports - but new moderators are really a rarity as far as I know.

The only viable solution to this problem is better signature campaign moderation.

I totally agree with this, the standards have really become too low and some campaign managers are accepting practically declared spammers to fill spots in the campaign - the problem is that anyone can be a campaign manager and set their own standards - and if members get paid for shitposting, they will continue to do so.

[UserU]

Ah, that's why I have no idea what OP was talking about--I've got Bitcoin Discussion on ignore (and Off-Topic).

I really think Bitcoin Discussion needs at least one additional moderator.  If you think about the most popular, most important sections of the forum, Bitcoin Discussion ought to be the section that's kept spam/shitpost/shit-thread-free.  Unfortunately, it's been filled with garbage for years, and it's where shitposters know they can post gibberish without anyone noticing it, for the sole reason that there's so much of it.

So yeah, nuke these jerkoffs.  But man, Bitcoin Discussion seriously needs to be cleaned up in general.

Well, that kind of circlejerks happen on Reddit too. Especially with those clamoring for 6-figures, we're still light-years away from achieving such price points.

I totally agree with this, the standards have really become too low and some campaign managers are accepting practically declared spammers to fill spots in the campaign - the problem is that anyone can be a campaign manager and set their own standards - and if members get paid for shitposting, they will continue to do so.

Some actually employ a personal list, like CryptopreneurBrainboss. While it's a small step forward, I guess more will follow suit once they tire out from the constant subpar postings they have to screen thru.

[ranochigo]

I really think Bitcoin Discussion needs at least one additional moderator.  If you think about the most popular, most important sections of the forum, Bitcoin Discussion ought to be the section that's kept spam/shitpost/shit-thread-free.  Unfortunately, it's been filled with garbage for years, and it's where shitposters know they can post gibberish without anyone noticing it, for the sole reason that there's so much of it.

So yeah, nuke these jerkoffs.  But man, Bitcoin Discussion seriously needs to be cleaned up in general.

The thing is most of the spammers posts things that are wildly inaccurate but it is technically not off-topic so you can't really report them, the most that you can do is to try to correct them and the next post would be another spammer posting the same misinformation. It's especially difficult when there are spam megathreads that is pretty much just an echo chamber.

I hate how Bitcoin Discussion has deteriorated to a point whereby any meaningful discussion is especially hard to find.

Some actually employ a personal list, like CryptopreneurBrainboss. While it's a small step forward, I guess more will follow suit once they tire out from the constant subpar postings they have to screen thru.

I know Lutpin used to have such a list with a fair number of participants. Unfortunately, that's pretty dead. Would've been quite useful even up till now.

[Rizzrack]

The only viable solution to this problem is better signature campaign moderation. If the campaign managers don't pay for mindless gibberish posts that sometimes even repeat the same answer given a couple of posts earlier, then the shitposters have no other option but to stop shitposting and start spending some brainpower.

That is also true, but OP was mostly referring to the increasing number of link spam like this one (and by increasing I mean many thousands):

I assume it's one of two things: malware or a bitcointalk anti-SEO campaign attempt
The former is pretty self explanatory but regarding the latter I still struggle to find out who would benefit the most from this.
One thing's for sure, those accounts are nuked almost instantly and whatever their end game is it will not prevail

[Poker Player]

The only viable solution to this problem is better signature campaign moderation. If the campaign managers don't pay for mindless gibberish posts that sometimes even repeat the same answer given a couple of posts earlier, then the shitposters have no other option but to stop shitposting and start spending some brainpower.

That is also true, but OP was mostly referring to the increasing number of link spam like this one (and by increasing I mean many thousands):
-snip
I assume it's one of two things: malware or a bitcointalk anti-SEO campaign attempt
The former is pretty self explanatory but regarding the latter I still struggle to find out who would benefit the most from this.
One thing's for sure, those accounts are nuked almost instantly and whatever their end game is it will not prevail

I reported one of them. Just links to reddit and I think some to twitter about sports. And the title of the thread made no sense. It seemed to me that it was a bot trying to promote some sport or channel or sth.

I disagree that the only viable solution is better signature campaigns moderation. The one I reported was brand new and I bet none of those in the OP was in a signature campaign.

I usually visit the Bitcoin Discussion section and I don't think the problem there is due to signature campaigns. The main problem are bots and some low-value posters trying to fish some merits and to gain activity.

If we were talking about the Gambling Section I could maybe agree that the problem is due to signature campaigns.

[stompix]

I assume it's one of two things: malware or a bitcointalk anti-SEO campaign attempt
The former is pretty self explanatory but regarding the latter I still struggle to find out who would benefit the most from this.

What are the chances of someone trying with a bot to add units of evil to IP ranges on Tor or open VPN, making registration fee dependent? I've seen a lot of them and I'm not active that much, could they have an impact? Sounds implausible but still, there are situations like LoyceV faced.

[Rizzrack]

What are the chances of someone trying with a bot to add units of evil to IP ranges on Tor or open VPN, making registration fee dependent? I've seen a lot of them and I'm not active that much, could they have an impact? Sounds implausible but still, there are situations like LoyceV faced.

It might be one of the possibilities thb. The baby with beard faced the same issue https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5270970.0

Call me paranoid but I believe the SEO attack / evil IP makes a bit more sense that just plain malware...

[Csmiami]

Looks like the spammers are getting smarter... I've just reported 4 of these posts in the Games and rounds board; they did blend in pretty well on the other on-topic link lists... Keep a sharp eye everyone!


Post 1, Post 2, Post 3, Post 4