Feedback wanted urgently: Phone verification

sleepy

Member
Location
Devon, UK
We are getting an increasing amount of real human spammers trying to post messages here on the forum. We can deal with the automated computer spam, we can deal with the human spammers from far off countries, but when the spam is originating from some spam agency based in the UK it is incredibly difficult to filter out.

So the options:

a) We can manually approve all new registrations, moderate a members first 20 or so posts and limit use of the PM system until they are a 'full' member.
We're really reluctant to go down this route because it takes an insane amount of time and it is extremely frustrating for new members.

b) We can install a system that requires you to enter a mobile number when you register. You are then immediately texted a 4 digit code which you type in. Your account is then verified and you immediately have full privileges.

This is what Gmail etc and some other forums are now doing and the feedback is it works really well. We can't really see any downside to it, but, your feedback would be appreciated. Please note this would not affect existing users, and there would be a system to bypass the process if you really didn't want to verify via phone (but it would take longer obviously).

Seems simple enough. Keeps the rubbish out. Do it. :)
 

llamedos

New Member
Will these spammers not have phones? If they are genuine humans then why would they not use the phone system like everyone else?

I have noticed recently on the home phone/landline, which i rarely answer now, many of the cold callers which are just spammers, are using mobile numbers to contact, most annoying but i always google a number and 99% are linked to PiP and ambulance chasing solicitors:mad:
 
I cant see an issue with a phone txt verification system personally - all data is safe and regulated by the data protection act so no one can do anything with the info just like email addresses

Can't see any problem with this.

I think its the only way to stop the few spammers that our systems don't detect getting through other than manual verification of resorting to banning free emails as other forums do and there is NO WAY i'm going down that route when 99% of free emails are perfectly legitimate real people just wanting to use the forum

Personally I have several free E-mail addresses that I use for different things. The beauty with a free E-mail address, is that you can always delete it if spam becomes an issue.

Most of the Spam I have received this year, has been from hacked BT Internet Accounts, where one of my E-mail addresses appeared in the address book.

I would have thought it was possible, for Admin to identify these Spammers and override their personal settings, and flood their inbox with every copy (or if possible x 10) of every message posted to the Forum on a daily basis.

That would make them give up.
 

Clive

Staff Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Lichfield
Can't see any problem with this.



Personally I have several free E-mail addresses that I use for different things. The beauty with a free E-mail address, is that you can always delete it if spam becomes an issue.

Most of the Spam I have received this year, has been from hacked BT Internet Accounts, where one of my E-mail addresses appeared in the address book.

I would have thought it was possible, for Admin to identify these Spammers and override their personal settings, and flood their inbox with every copy (or if possible x 10) of every message posted to the Forum on a daily basis.

That would make them give up.


they are not real people - they are computers so you cant really upset them !!

if you do as you suggest they just automatically delete that account and create a new free email account to send spam from - they do this in massive numbers 24/7

we do identify hundreds of them everyday and reject their request to join here

the human ones are harder though - trying to separate them from a genuine member is hard so a few slip through the net - the phone verification will stop them as they would need a unique phone number every time they created an account - email address are free but phone numbers are not so this limits them massively
 

Sid

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
South Molton
Seems the phone option is the best, easy to check, didn't realise it was such a problem, thought it was just sit back and count the ££££££ :giggle:
 

Clive

Staff Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Lichfield
What qualifies as a spammer?

How many times does FT have to mention the word S:confused:traw, before he qualifies?


direct commercial posts or links to other websites for items of no relevance to agriculture by members that post no other content other than commercial activity

FT does contribute to the forum in many ways so there is no problem for him to also use it for commercial gain. What he is buying / selling is also of relevance to members
 

Sid

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
South Molton
direct commercial posts or links to other websites for items of no relevance to agriculture by members that post no other content other than commercial activity

FT does contribute to the forum in many ways so there is no problem for him to also use it for commercial gain. What he is buying / selling is also of relevance to members
Not to me in the SW as it doesn't use any!! But I do use a kitchen....sometimes :whistle:

Aren't we all using the forum for commercial gain?
 
FT does contribute to the forum in many ways so there is no problem for him to also use it for commercial gain. What he is buying / selling is also of relevance to members

Tongue in cheek, FT is always selling not buying as far as I can see.

While there are many potential purchasers on here, there are probably just as many sellers of Hay and Straw.

Perhaps he would rather keep buying and selling separate, so that Forum Members cannot work out what his Gross Margin is.;)
 
Aren't we all using the forum for commercial gain?

Speaking personally I use the forum to sound out Members views on subjects I am involved with as part of by day to day work (outside but more often than not, linked to agriculture.)

Yes I benefit, but so from reading the threads, do I believe many other Forum Members.

I also contribute when I have what I consider relevant information, or an opinion to other threads, which also benefits others.

Swings and roundabouts.

A Forum is a vehicle to exchange views, and share information.

It is also a source of fun.

You can "take the mickey" out of most posters without causing offence.

Long may TFF continue.
 

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