New Spam Controls

[Product Ideas & Suggestions]

Lately I've been seeing way to many spam complaints and the same exact responses from Ning over and over again. The fact is that our regular spam controls just don't cut it anymore. Even with the captcha, sign up quiz, email verification, and moderation of new members all activated, spam still slips through very easily. I have a few simple ideas that might solve our problems.

 

1. Limit on number of comments/messages/replies/posts. If we had the ability to limit new and/or old members from posting too much content within a certain time frame, this would stop a lot of spam. We should be able set up our network so that new members are only allowed 10 or so posts per day and as they grow older on the network, gain more priviledges. Most spambots start their commenting spree right after signing up. If we could stop them in their tracks after their first ten comments, we could locate the spam and remove them before they post more.

2. "Report Spam" Button. If there was a simple "Report Spam" button next to all comments/replies/posts, we would be able to catch spammers much faster. Yes, I realize we can allow people to "flag" content, but I'm talking about a universal "Report Spam" button for all members. They would simply click the button and a report of some kind would be sent to a moderator/admin. Some might argue that this could be abused, but we can limit this feature just like in my first suggestion.

 

That's basically it. I've seen a lot of other suggestions, and they are all great ideas, but these two stand out to me the most. With these two features, I think our networks would be almost spam-proof...or at least as spam-proof as possible. Anybody agree/disagree? (Yes, I realize spam-proof is not possible. That's why I use the word "almost")

[Jordi]

I would like to Limit on number of private messages that a user can send per day.

[Patrick Chappelle]

What about the automatic suspend function for suspected spammers? I also saw something in the Language Editor that said something to the effect of "you've reached your limit regarding the amount of content you have posted for today". This would imply to me that there are limits already in place.

 

Knock on wood, but I can't get a spammer on my network if I tried. LOL

[Patrick Chappelle]

[Patrick Chappelle]

I have, actually. Some nc's were complaining about it back in the Spring thinking it was a bug.

[Phil McCluskey]

Hi Marshall,

 

If we publish the limit, spammers will write code that continually flies just under it. The suggestions in your post are both good ones that we're currently considering.

 

Thanks,

Phil

[Donna V]

how can we do this? is it for all members or can we use it for select members?  Is this just for postings? or can it be for private emails?

Thanks!

[PCOS Challenge]

We NEED a "Report Spam" button! I am not happy about all this spam slipping through the cracks.