Counter bot measures

[Impostor]

So I've noticed (actually, others did) that bots can add url spam links in text messages, which are rendered as small as a single pixel. Quite devious if you ask me. See screenshot: the second dot is actually a link.

Find it in the quoted quote in:
viewtopic.php?p=155426#p155426
Edit:removed now

Maybe it's a good idea to only let 'established' members add links in their posts/signatures? Or disable minimizing their sizes and colors?

[sunrat]

So I've noticed (actually, others did) that bots can add url spam links in text messages, which are rendered as small as a single pixel. Quite devious if you ask me. See screenshot: the second dot is actually a link.

Find it in the quoted quote in:
viewtopic.php?p=155426#p155426

Maybe it's a good idea to only let 'established' members add links in their posts/signatures?

It may be best to remove that quoted quote and let screenshots tell the story. I don't get how you see a dot and I see a text link even though both are with dark themes.
Here's how I'm seeing the spam link:

spam-linkc.png (20.03 KiB) Viewed 782 times

I'm an admin on Debian forums so am acutely aware of spam and bots. We implement a first 5 post approval system for new members so that caches a lot of attempted spam, and also use the Stop Forum Spam plugin for phpBB which is a database of reported spammers (IP and usernames) that the forum software checks before allowing posts.

[Impostor]

It may be best to remove that quoted quote and let screenshots tell the story.

Done.

[Largos]

Test small size (1) with no specified colour : This is size 1

Test small size (1) with change to white:This is size 1 coloured white

Test small size (1) with colour as black:This is size 1 coloured black

Maybe disable the ability to change the size that small or just change the font size and colour at all. With custom themes, being able to specifiy font colour is not the best idea anyway

[j_e_f_f_g]

It's difficult to detect bots now that AI has become so widespread. Even the most simplistic of AI will seem more lifelike than Largos when he's reposting his "BackupBand looks ugly" retort for the 1000th time. I mean, even I've made snarkier comments about my own app. A little creativity from him would be welcome.

[tseaver]

Heh, I've been wondering if @j_e_f_f_g wasn't outsourcing some of his more trollish posts to an LLM: food for thought....

[j_e_f_f_g]

No robot will ever replace me. They can't make a machine that evil.

And my only outsourced employee is raboof. I'm his pimp.

[Linuxmusician01]

So I've noticed (actually, others did) that bots can add url spam links in text messages, which are rendered as small as a single pixel. Quite devious if you ask me. See screenshot: the second dot is actually a link.

Find it in the quoted quote in:
viewtopic.php?p=155426#p155426

Maybe it's a good idea to only let 'established' members add links in their posts/signatures?

It may be best to remove that quoted quote and let screenshots tell the story. I don't get how you see a dot and I see a text link even though both are with dark themes.
Here's how I'm seeing the spam link:
spam-linkc.png

I'm an admin on Debian forums so am acutely aware of spam and bots. We implement a first 5 post approval system for new members so that caches a lot of attempted spam, and also use the Stop Forum Spam plugin for phpBB which is a database of reported spammers (IP and usernames) that the forum software checks before allowing posts.

[and yet another off-topic reply: sorry, I just couldn't help myself] Might you be the one then who decided that people behind a VPN aren't allowed to view the Debian forum?

[sunrat]

[and yet another off-topic reply: sorry, I just couldn't help myself] Might you be the one then who decided that people behind a VPN aren't allowed to view the Debian forum?

OT reply to OT reply:
No idea why that would happen, but I have heard of it rarely. Send email to admin@forums.debian.net and hopefully our server monkey can sort it out.

[Largos]

It's difficult to detect bots now that AI has become so widespread. Even the most simplistic of AI will seem more lifelike than Largos when he's reposting his "BackupBand looks ugly" retort for the 1000th time. I mean, even I've made snarkier comments about my own app. A little creativity from him would be welcome.

I'll get creative when you make something that doesn't look like a 3 year old drew it. That said, if your idea of creativity involves writing short essays on how it's other people's fault when they don't find my comments funny, I'll pass.

[j_e_f_f_g]

i''ll pass.

That's a funeral I'll gladly attend.

[Largos]

i''ll pass.

That's a funeral I'll gladly attend.

The only thing dying round here is your attempts at humour.

[bhilmers]

i''ll pass.

That's a funeral I'll gladly attend.

I'm not active enough on this site to understand the drama but this is legitimately one of the funniest things I've read.

[j_e_f_f_g]

legitimately one of the funniest things I've read.

Largos is not amused by your amusement.

[Largos]

legitimately one of the funniest things I've read.

Largos is not amused by your amusement.

I wondered if it was an alt account but turns out this person can make a half decent GUI.