Changes to the forum to tackle spam!

[Abs]

Hi Everyone,
As with any forum, we have to tackle the issue of spam. While we have a team of moderators that look after spam removal, there are times where spam stays around longer than we'd like.
We know that spam makes the place look untidy and doesn't provide you with a great experience in our forums. So we're going to be trialling a number of changes that should reduce the amount of spam.
These changes will not affect any existing users so continue to use the forum as you normally would.
If you've got any questions or comments, please do leave them here for us!
Thanks
Abs

[perksie]

Well done Abs, lets hope your measures work ok and become a permanent feature.

[Anonymous]

Excellent news, thanks for listening. I hope it's a success.

[adamtemp64]

Thanks Abs
Early days but this afternoon looks better

[Anonymous]

@Abs
Perhaps the following suggestions are not part of your "Campaign Against Spam" but perhaps could be considered :
1. Foreign-based IP addresses should be rejected during registration. Those customers who experience a problem while away from UK and wish to register would be unable. I would suggest this would affect a very small minority group and should be an acceptable inconvenience.
2. URLs and WWW links not to be added to the signature or to the profile. Useful links could be set up in a "sticky" eg oliver341's and npr's then added to with Moderators approval. I can't understand why O2 allows WWW entries in the user profile when the Terms specifically state that you must not advertise or solicit business.
3. As this is a pure "help" forum a username should be all that is required. If anybody within a post displays a URL link or uses the facility then that post is delayed while the Moderators approve it.
4. If IP addresses can be seen during registration and/or posting then why is there no mention in the Terms of multiple usernames not being allowed for the same individual ?
Also I see very little, if any, spam on Thinkbroadband and DigitalSpy forums, perhaps O2 should investigate why that is. If registration and posting is more controlled on those forums then it certainly doesn't slow up the processes.

[Anonymous]

Abs,
Said it before and I'll say it again... install STOP FORUM SPAM - http://www.stopforumspam.com
I've got this running on a board I admin, and I get close to zero spammers.
Good luck, anyway

[Anonymous]

So we're going to be trialling a number of changes that should reduce the amount of spam.
"These changes will not affect any existing users so continue to use the forum as you normally would"
So as you dint say what they were and the fact they dont affect us, Im confused as to why the post was made. was it made to make us feel better that o2 are doing something??

[jonsie]

Great news Abs and I hope the changes help to bring an end to the ridiculous amount of spam.
Not sure whether yourself or O2 have noticed but the forum seems to be suffering a knock-on effect with the numbers of genuine contributors diminishing over the last couple of weeks.
Good to see that it is the first time posters that you are concentrating on as that is where the real problem is.
Thanks for sharing Abs.

[browni]

Good news Abs,
At times it was quite hard to see legit posts that were hidden among the spamfests!
Here's hoping the new measures are effective.
@RFTG
I would suggest that your idea of blocking foreign IP addresses would be a non-starter as today (well yesterday!) I have seen posts from America & Spain requesting help on how to get started with O2 when they arrive in the country.
No doubt the number of similar valid requests will increase as we get nearer to the holiday season(s)

[Anonymous]

Well, the challenge is there this morning.