Linux Format forums

Diagmato · Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 10:23 pm Post subject: Niuniu?

For a while now, there has been multiple users logged into the site as 'Niuniu'. Either multiple people decided to pick a unique name, and register, and all be on at the same time without posting anything, or there is a bot, or whatever.

Just a heads up. I have taken a screenshot if needed.
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Rhakios · Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 10:43 pm Post subject: RE: Niuniu?

You might have have noticed last weekend multiple users of the type blehrer* logged in similarly. I assume it is some sort of bot, but it has not succeeded in posting anything. I think Mike has beefed the subject filters up a bit.
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spottedcat · Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 10:43 pm Post subject: RE: Niuniu?

On 3rd September, 6 varieties of blehrer* signed up and I noticed that five of them were still on line the following morning. Thought it strange at the time. Something for the admins to look into?

Edit:, you beat me to it, Rhakios. Smile

Rhakios · Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 10:44 pm Post subject: RE: Niuniu?

Snap!

I win.

Very Happy

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Diagmato · Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 11:36 pm Post subject: RE: Niuniu?

with phpbb, bots shouldnt be able to sign up - it has a CAPTCHA system on login (if enabled by the admin, and is a recent version - this hasnt aways been there).

Saying that, it doesnt seem to stop all bots. If they are signing up from the same email domain, then banning their email domain will stop em good.
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M-Saunders · Moderator Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2005 1:14 pm Posts: 2883

Lo,

The 'blehrer' variations posted spam comments to the front-page news stories, which I removed. Occasionally we get some bot signing up and posting comment spam -- very rarely in the forums though. It's not big enough to make any big changes at the mo, but if it becomes a regular problem I'll add captcha or something similar.

M

Rhakios · Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 7:59 pm Post subject: RE: Niuniu?

I see the Niunius are back again tonight. No spam yet though.
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spottedcat · Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 8:11 pm Post subject: RE: Niuniu?

They've been breeding. Six more variants 'signed up' today and ten are logged on at the moment. According to 'who is online', all ten are 'searching the forums'. I wonder what they're looking for. The mother pod perhaps?

Rhakios · Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 8:31 pm Post subject: RE: Niuniu?

I only count nine niunius now, not all nine are new niunius (try saying that after ten pints). So it seems that the niunius revisit the forums as well. How odd.

I think you're right SC, they are aliens, they've come to take 1sf (troll) away (at last!).

Laughing

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spottedcat · Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 8:50 pm Post subject: RE: Niuniu?

I think 1sf (troll) has already had a close encounter of the third kind. How else would you explain his spelling? Confused

Rhakios · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:32 am Post subject: RE: Niuniu?

Well niuniu is definitely a spambot. I've done a quick google and found some other forums where there are multiple niunius registered (important distinction, there are some genuine niunius), and where there are any posts they are spam.
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M-Saunders · Moderator Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2005 1:14 pm Posts: 2883

Yes, it's comment spam for the news postings. Time to get out the mop and bucket...

M

Rhakios · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 3:27 pm Post subject: RE: Niuniu?

So I see. So all of the 10 most commented news stories are ones to which the bl**dy thing has posted comments. I notice on the front page that some stories are attributed comments that aren't there, presumably from the same source. Ho hum.
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