New Spam Tool: Email Domain & IP Banning at Sign-Up

[Eric Suesz]

We're no fan of spam at Ning. We know it can be an annoyance, especially for Ning Creators who choose not to moderate membership. While we can't solve for every type of spam attack, we have put in place a number of spam tools in the last two years that can make a difference. If you haven't turned all of those on yet, we encourage you to take a minute to make sure you're Preventing Spam in the best ways you can.

Today, we're releasing another spam tool that allows Ning Plus and Pro to perform both email domain and IP banning. 

IP banning is a request we've had over time from people here on Creators, so we are sure that a few folks who've wanted to see this will be happy that it's now available. The feature is fairly straightforward, and it's entirely optional. You'll see a new column in Member Management for IP addresses, and you'll see the option to block in the Sign-up/Sign-in area.

Block IP addresses at sign-up

You can prevent anyone coming from a specific IP address from signing up for your site. Just enter the IP address you want to block, and no one will be able to sign up from that IP address.

Block email domains at sign-up

Similarly, you can choose email domains that you want to block from signing up for your community. If you see spam coming from an email domain like [e-mail], you can block all sign-ups that come from the @sharklasers.com domain.

Of course, these are powerful tools, so we recommend using them carefully and thoughtfully. If you ban an IP that hundreds of thousands of people potentially use, you cut off access to thousands of potential members.

• These options are only available to the Network Creator; not admins.
• You can remove the bans you put in place at any time.
• If someone is unable to sign in because of these blocks, they will see a specific message. The specific message is located in the Language Editor and can be customized.
• If someone is unable to sign in, they can still contact you, provided you have not turned off that option. That option is located in your own personal Email Settings area (Feedback and problem reports).
• The reports you receive from members having trouble includes the email and IP address, as well as whether either is blocked.

One other thing to note about this feature is that you may see that an IP record is "unavailable" in your listings. In most cases, this will be because the member joined before we were able to capture their IP address (i.e., before this tool was turned on a few weeks ago).

Want to know where an IP is geographically located? Look it up on InfoSniper

You can read all about how to Block an Email Domain or IP Address from Signing Up in the Help Center.

[Perrie Halpern]

Hi Everyone..

OK, so here is my question. I keep getting spam from an IP from India that starts with 122.162, but the rest of the IP keeps changing. How do I stop that?

[Eric Suesz]

Unfortunately, this tool won't eliminate a range of IPs, but works on a specific IP. 

[Perrie Halpern]

That's what I thought, but still figured it couldn't hurt to ask. Thanks Eric!

[joseph wojcicki]

good news

[Ceddy J]

I feel like a mad scientist with this. I haven't had a spam problem in a long time, but this good to have in case I have some who want to try me.

[Rafe Saber]

Great concept. Useless and IMPOSSIBLE to implement against PROFESSIONAL SPAMMERS who forge the IP address. We've received hundreds all originating from Gmail. Examples from my Network. See attachment too.

NAME.....................................EMAIL...............................................IP

Serinah Nobantu

[e-mail]

120.29.159.242

 

Popular Asian Hairstyles

[e-mail]

88.85.99.43

 

Short Length Hairstyles With Sid

[e-mail]

221.7.162.215

High Bun Hairstyle Short Hair [e-mail] 220.231.136.21

[Eric Suesz]

We know this won't work for all types of spam. I would consider trying out some of the other spam tools we've created as well. When you use all of them (including member moderation), you basically will get zero spam. I know that everyone has strong opinions about what is best for their community, so I know some people do not want to use all of them. 

[soaringeagle]

i found that paid access (donation or  charge) is the single most effective spam prevention

with it on i get almost none

[Rafe Saber]

"you basically will get zero spam"

My Member Moderation is on. However, spam is not the problem under the circumstances I outlined. These jerks are a bunch of Asian scamers/spamers who are abusing Google's Gmail system. All those gmail email addresses are real, whereas the IP is forged. One call from Ning's Security Dept to Google's Security Dept would end the problem for good.

On a related issue do you have a link on Google where to report these abuses? Thanks.

[Eric Suesz]

That's great. I am a big fan of member moderation. I use it here on Creators. I see a few spam accounts each day, but I easily banish them. 

Here you go, Rafe. You can let Google know about spam at that link. 

[Rafe Saber]

Thanks Eric. Nope that link is for reporting WS violations which I'm familiar with. Need a link to report Gmail abuse which is where the spam originates from. I  might be wrong but I don't think one exists. This is why I think you guys should get on the blower to Google and report this massive security abuse. I'll bet you they don't know about it.

[Eric Suesz]

I think Google would say you should hit the spam button in GMail. Let's be honest: Calling Google and asking them to stop spam isn't going to work.