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Journal MonTemplar's Journal: Weblog comment spam hitting new low 10

Journal by MonTemplar on Wednesday January 05, 2005 @08:06PM

Just spotted a huge build-up of comment spam over at my website, all of it sex-related. I've added a few extra choice phrases to WordPress's blocking list, and instructed WPBlacklist to start harvesting IPs and URLs as it goes. It may risk poisoning the blacklist file again, but that's a chance I'll have to take. Just a heads-up to anyone else who has a weblog, to check in case you've been hit as well. Seems to have started very recently, so you might still be able to stem the tide before it gets out of control.

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Weblog comment spam hitting new low

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beefing up search engine stats? (Score:2)

by nizo ( 81281 ) * writes:

It is probably some dumbass trying to beef up their popularity with the search engines (more links to your site equals higher ranking). As if the web isn't already saturated with porn sheesh.
- Re:beefing up search engine stats? (Score:3, Informative)
  
  by Cyberdyne ( 104305 ) * writes:
  
  It is probably some dumbass trying to beef up their popularity with the search engines (more links to your site equals higher ranking). As if the web isn't already saturated with porn sheesh.
  Yep, PageRank-spam is one of the two reasons - easy to defeat, though, by linking all comment URLs through a redirection. (Good page and links on the subject here [incutio.com].) Take away the PageRank boost, and the only benefit to any spammer is that they might get a click or two from your readers - probably not worth the effort,
  - Re:beefing up search engine stats? (Score:2)
    
    by nizo ( 81281 ) * writes:
    
    Thanks for the link, that looks like a useful webpage for dealing with this kind of junk.
Achtung, Good Sir (Score:1)

by the_mad_poster ( 640772 ) writes:

I'm not sure what you plan on doing with the IPs, but bear in mind that it's very likely at least some of them are the pwned machines of people who are not so computer savvy.

You might consider blocking those that are on broadband with a page instructing them on how to clean their machine.
- Re:Achtung, Good Sir (Score:2)
  
  by MonTemplar ( 174120 ) writes:
  
  Too many IPs, not enough time to check them all. *shrug*
  
  -MT.
Ugh (Score:1)

by Pirogoeth ( 662083 ) writes:

I've ended up just disabling comments for now. The spam list was working well; I just got sick of going through all the held-up comments to delete all the crap.
you could try captchas maybe? (Score:1)

by Organized Konfusion ( 700770 ) writes:

or just allow registered users, also wp pings blo.gs by default - alot of spammers get their targets from there.
Registered users only? (Score:2)

by Alioth ( 221270 ) writes:

Wouldn't it be much easier to only allow registered users to post? Clear up comment spam in one stroke. Unregistered posting is unfortunately a thing of the past.
- Re:Registered users only? (Score:2)
  
  by stoolpigeon ( 454276 ) writes:
  
  I know on my wordpress site I have it set up to only allow registered users to post but I still get comments like crazy from spammers- primarily for on-line poker. I'm not sure how they do it but I imagine it is a wordpress bug of some kind.
  
  The funny thing is - it may help them with google, as mentioned above- but no person will ever see it since I don't display any comments on the site.
- Re:Registered users only? (Score:2)
  
  by MonTemplar ( 174120 ) writes:
  
  I'll think about it. Chances are most people who would bother to post a genuine comment already know me, and won't mind registering...
  
  -MT.

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