I gave out a few cigargeek cards at the cigar lounge the other night and was going through some recently joined member profiles to see if any of them signed up.  Most of the new members are just usernames with links to spam/porn sites.  What the hell is up with that?  Can bots automatically sign up for membership or are real people just paid to sign up for everything?  Based on a small sampling, I would guess 50% or more of our "members" are in this category.  If there anything that can be done?

Would be interesting if you could see if any of them voted in your July contest, Rich.  (Right, Cory??)  

If half the membership are spammers, then something is being done because no spam is getting through. Spammers don't care about the subject matter, just their assignment.

I got spammed on Facebook this morning for the first time. I tried to complain, but they have a form with only 5 choices for why someone is complaining and none of the choices were spam. This is modern technology. They pick for you what you are writing them about.

Technically, it is possible for bots/spammers to automatically sign up. I'm sure Paul has taken measures against this, but they continue to come up with new ways around what ever security measures are taken.
 

I had something insightful to say on the subject, but I lost my train of thought when I saw "porn sites".  

Understandable

QuoteMacabre - 7/22/2010  8:28 AM

I had something insightful to say on the subject, but I lost my train of thought when I saw "porn sites".  

Oh, good. And I thought it was just me.  

Pardon me guys, I'm off to star at Larry's avatar for a moment.

Usually the CAPCHA keeps the bots out.  Try increasing the difficulty on it and monitor.  Some sites also use "human answer questions" such as 5+4=?

Quotegrogo67 - 7/22/2010  10:42 AM

Usually the CAPCHA keeps the bots out.  Try increasing the difficulty on it and monitor.  Some sites also use "human answer questions" such as 5+4=?

That would also keep out anyone who graduated from the Texas school system.  Hey, I can say that.  I are one of them thar.

Quoteljlemer - 7/22/2010  11:19 AM

If half the membership are spammers, then something is being done because no spam is getting through. Spammers don't care about the subject matter, just their assignment.

I got spammed on Facebook this morning for the first time. I tried to complain, but they have a form with only 5 choices for why someone is complaining and none of the choices were spam. This is modern technology. They pick for you what you are writing them about.

I suppose they find some value in members clicking on their usernames and then their website link.  I can't imagine that drives much traffic but I must admit I've done it a time or two out of curiosity (read: porn sites).  

I think you just developed a good test to see if new members are "bots"

when guys sign up, where we all fill out the forms, the admins could have some buxom babes with cigars, lounging on the beach popup, and if the "new members" don't miss a beat and continue to fill out the information, you just caught something that ain't a cigar smoking male : )

Never noticed, but I will now  

So you're saying the, ahem, "members" shown on porn sites are fake?  Good.  Now I don't feel so bad!

Quotekennyg - 7/22/2010  7:08 AM

I think you just developed a good test to see if new members are "bots"

when guys sign up, where we all fill out the forms, the admins could have some buxom babes with cigars, lounging on the beach popup, and if the "new members" don't miss a beat and continue to fill out the information, you just caught something that ain't a cigar smoking male : )

You do realize that we have a few members who are NOT male.  
Rebecca Silverwolf is one that comes to mind.
Just saying.....

 

They can only get in if they can verify a good email address that is not already on file.  Beyond that they have to enter some random letters on the sign up form.  The sign up form should prevent new ones fromo coming.  But before I had that, accounts were getting created but they just didnt have access because of bad emails they couldn't confirm.

-Paul

I just did some quick checking - did you know that out of 6220 registered members, only 552 have any points?  I mean, just 1.  

Can we implement something that drops people off if they have not contributed at least 1 point in X amount of time?  I know I haven't been the most active on the site lately but at least I check in and comment from time to time.

QuoteSenorPablo - 7/22/2010  1:38 PM

They can only get in if they can verify a good email address that is not already on file.  Beyond that they have to enter some random letters on the sign up form.  The sign up form should prevent new ones fromo coming.  But before I had that, accounts were getting created but they just didnt have access because of bad emails they couldn't confirm.

-Paul

So someone like sandiegodebt, who obviously signed up to hawk debt relief products and has no interest in cigars, has to be a human with a valid email address in order to sign up?  We should give people a cigar quiz.

Quotestogie_foggie - 7/22/2010  1:41 PM

I just did some quick checking - did you know that out of 6220 registered members, only 552 have any points?  I mean, just 1.  

Can we implement something that drops people off if they have not contributed at least 1 point in X amount of time?  I know I haven't been the most active on the site lately but at least I check in and comment from time to time.

The problem with that is that some people only use the site for the online humidor.

Quotelowpro75 - 7/22/2010  1:43 PM

The problem with that is that some people only use the site for the online humidor.

True - there are quite a few members that use this site simply for that feature.  

Is it bad that I can name the actress in the photo?  

Quotegrogo67 - 7/22/2010  1:55 PM

Is it bad that I can name the actress in the photo?  

Don't tease us.  What is her name??  

QuoteBrlesq - 7/22/2010  1:58 PM

Quotegrogo67 - 7/22/2010  1:55 PM

Is it bad that I can name the actress in the photo?  

Don't tease us.  What is her name??  

Mrs. David Robinson.  

Quotegitfiddl - 7/22/2010  2:02 PM

QuoteBrlesq - 7/22/2010  1:58 PM

Quotegrogo67 - 7/22/2010  1:55 PM

Is it bad that I can name the actress in the photo?  

Don't tease us.  What is her name??  

Mrs. David Robinson.  

And you made time to go to the mailbox last night!!        I wouldn't!

Quotelowpro75 - 7/22/2010  11:08 AM

I gave out a few cigargeek cards at the cigar lounge the other night and was going through some recently joined member profiles to see if any of them signed up.  Most of the new members are just usernames with links to spam/porn sites.  What the hell is up with that?  Can bots automatically sign up for membership or are real people just paid to sign up for everything?  Based on a small sampling, I would guess 50% or more of our "members" are in this category.  If there anything that can be done?

I'm surprised that it's taken you this long to figure out that I'm just a deal-posting spambot.

QuoteBrlesq - 7/22/2010  12:58 PM

Quotegrogo67 - 7/22/2010  1:55 PM

Is it bad that I can name the actress in the photo?  

Don't tease us.  What is her name??  

Lisa Ann