PSA: We've got a spammer on the loose.

[Twilight Sparkle ✨ 8,527]

A particular member has joined MLP Forums for the sole purpose of "spamvertising" the MLP section of a large roleplaying forum. This member has created a total of two accounts, both of which have been banned, for such behaviour is unethical and abusive of our resources. They have sent the exact same, copied-and-pasted message, to over 100 users here. It looks like this:

 

This forum seems pretty cool I guess, I plan to post here plenty...thought I'd refer you to a pretty cool MLP roleplaying forum that just started up with a lot of favorite characters to choose from (or you can just make an original character), it's pretty fun.

 

Anyway, hope to see you both here and there, I guarantee you'll enjoy it if you give it a chance.

Check it out:

[link snipped]

 

If you replied to them, chances are that you received this in response:

 

Well cool, your welcome, you seem nice hope to see you there, it's a lot of fun if you like MLP.

If you've received a message from this member, I encourage you to ignore and/or delete it. If this member creates a third account and you get a message from them, please hit the report button on their private message ASAP.

 

And while we're here... MLP Forums offers an organized and well-run roleplay experience of its own in the form of Roleplay World.

[Chigens and Kay 3,832]

Laying down some Feldian Law. GJ.

Edited April 11, 2012 by Chigens

[Marcato 2,143]

I noticed this not too long ago, but i didn't respond because i was in a hurry. Now i'm glad i didnt. I'll keep my eye open for any other suspicious activity and report it right away. Thanks for the heads up.

[Dragonshy 2,305]

I love the way the Roleplay World is now set-up. I just thought I would let you know

[Randomiser 115]

And that's how you handle a spammer.

[Swordfishtrombone 384]

Cool. Good job on that one.

[Dragonshy 2,305]

And that's how you handle a spammer.

 

Like a Feld0

[Akemi Homura 7,680]

Sorry spammer, but I only obey Feldian overlords.

Edited April 11, 2012 by Tom Da Diamond

[Aureity 3,055]

What's wrong with ? It's delicious.

[Colon Leftbracket 971]

Nice to see our staff on top of things! Hell I never even noticed the spammer (then again I don't use the roleplaying world)

 

Intruders beware, no pony messes with the Feldian Empire!

[NeverNeverland 1,940]

Good to be aware of for future reference.

[Ron Jeremy 2,032]

Haha, I hate those. And least it's worded in a way that it's pretty obvious as spam, so I doubt anypony actually took it seriously.

 

I didn't notice the spammer, but it's good to see them taken care of nonetheless.

 

Though, on the bright side, a spammer turning up is a sign of how popular the forum is. And at least it was PM'd, instead of it being dozens of threads on the forum advertising bootleg purses or something.

Edited April 11, 2012 by King K. Roop

[FLARE 952]

if this continues, maybe blank flanks shouldn't be able to send PMs? and if they need to contact you about a private site issue they can use your email?

[Bunni 1,075]

[Flow 1,629]

I AM NOT LIKE THAT, I WILL REPORT THAT SPAMMER WHEN I MEET HIM/HER

[Twilight Sparkle ✨ 8,527]

Haha, I hate those. And least it's worded in a way that it's pretty obvious as spam, so I doubt anypony actually took it seriously.

 

I didn't notice the spammer, but it's good to see them taken care of nonetheless.

 

Though, on the bright side, a spammer turning up is a sign of how popular the forum is. And at least it was PM'd, instead of it being dozens of threads on the forum advertising bootleg purses or something.

 

Some members did actually respond to the message and thank this spammer for the suggestion, Roop, although I did thankfully manage to weed him out before he got his spam to every single one of us.

 

Private message spam is worse than regular spam, in my opinion, because it is extremely difficult to track down and will go unreported more often than not. That's why I stressed that you please hit the report button if you get a message like this ASAP, because chances are you are not the only person who received it.

 

Always be wary of new members being overly eager to link to external sites. They did make 10 posts on their first account and reach quite a few people before I was made aware of this, but they went straight for the kill the second time.

 

if this continues, maybe blank flanks shouldn't be able to send PMs? and if they need to contact you about a private site issue they can use your email?

 

Flare, this sounds like a good idea. I'll bring it up with the staff. Of course, it has the potential implications of cutting off new members from any sort of direct communication with staff over specific issues, although we do have a support email address listed at the bottom of every page (most seem to be unaware of its existence, though).

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

When the spammers in the crib ma, drop 'im like it's hot, drop 'im like its hot.

We reportin' til the weak stuff is all gone

We got this on lock, cuz MLP Forums got it goin' on

[FLARE 952]

Flare, this sounds like a good idea. I'll bring it up with the staff. Of course, it has the potential implications of cutting off new members from any sort of direct communication with staff over specific issues, although we do have a support email address listed at the bottom of every page (most seem to be unaware of its existence, though).

 

Sorry if I am going a little bit off topic, but all users must agree to the ToS right?

Why not add it in there so more people notice your email and you can also explain why its like that in there.

[/mlp/ 106]

Thanks for the Tip Feld0...I'll keep my eye out

[Ron Jeremy 2,032]

Some members did actually respond to the message and thank this spammer for the suggestion, Roop, although I did thankfully manage to weed him out before he got his spam to every single one of us.

 

Private message spam is worse than regular spam, in my opinion, because it is extremely difficult to track down and will go unreported more often than not. That's why I stressed that you please hit the report button if you get a message like this ASAP, because chances are you are not the only person who received it.

 

Always be wary of new members being overly eager to link to external sites. They did make 10 posts on their first account and reach quite a few people before I was made aware of this, but they went straight for the kill the second time.

 

Wow, really? That kinda surprises me. I figured it was general internet-goer knowledge to ignore any messages from new people that are worded like advertisements and link to another site. But eh, I guess it's not too shocking since some people haven't seen a lot of that kind of stuff.

 

And you've got a good point there regarding PM spam being worse than regular spam. Didn't think of it that way.

 

A post requirement for sending private messages, as restrictive as it would be to legitimate new members, might be the best way to prevent this in the future.

[Prince Lightning Da Cute 619]

This just got serious

Edited April 11, 2012 by TagTeamCast

[WhiteLightning 339]

Nice job, Feld0.

[SpectrumUK_D 45]

Nice work! Good to see our overlord is awake up there! Anyway I'll keep any eye open for anything.

[Kazuki Fuse 534]

Accurate representation of feld0 dealing with spammers.

[Cloud_Jumper_189 56]

Accurate representation of feld0 dealing with spammers.

 

Accurate representation of my face when Feld0 deals with spammers