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.

[Rajaji]

Fabulous, I am thrilled to see this feature. This is going to be the most powerful of all spam tools.

I was wondering that many of these spammers use various computers in an internet cafe, So will it be possible to ban IP address around a certain geographical area?

But great move. Thank you for this. 

[Apostle Solael]

This would not be a good idea - due to the fact that supposed someone who is law abiding who wants to join your website and the only access that they have to the world wide web is a internet cafe'?  We can not ban those who are not the problem.  We have to seek out and hunt the spammer back - thus banning them from access to our websites.  Blocking their IP address with a source who has access to the fact that they spam other websites or is a threat is the first weapon against them.  This source, who I gave the link to earlier in this discussion will also let you know how many times they have been contacted regarding this individual.  I received the reference to this source from another individual here in this discussion - though I do not know who it is - therefore, I want to say "thank you and many blessings unto you!"  You know who you are.

Agape'

[Saif]

This is awesome :) Thanks !! 

[gudris]

Great !

1 - can i block whole country ?

2 - if ning creator block @gmail.com but he uses gmail by him self, did creator also will be banned ?

[Eric Suesz]

You can't block a whole country, but I'm not sure why you would want to. Likewise, I don't recommend blocking GMail, but if you did, this would only affect new sign-ups. 

[Apostle Solael]

@Rafe:

Thank you for your explanation.  I have since removed 4 more members. Their supposed "websites" led to empty www space.  I suspected them, and they had not spoken - especially since I have been explaining how spammers will be removed and what they have been doing recently.  Therefore, I have removed approximately 10 members since last week - but numbers are never an issue with me, because I do not covet numbers.  I rather have a loving community than one with thousands of members who just curse each other and back  bite.  I have left an enormous amount of Ning sites just for that reason.

[lorianne]

this morning i discovered that i cannot search by IP from within my member management area.

is it just me?

[Eric Suesz]

There's not a way to search IPs, lorianne. 

[lorianne]

just realized i was about as clear as mud here.  just so i am clear:   within my members management i can search my existing membership by name or by email... but not by their IP?  there is a reason i would like to do this - many of my members moved here from another site where 'multiple' profiles were a problem.  using different emails the users made several accounts. i would like to be able to search my members IPs when i get a new joiner so i can keep that from repeating.

its not a huge issue as i can export & search the resulting spreadsheet ...  was just wondering/

[Eric Suesz]

The search function does not include the IP address. Sorry. 

[lorianne]

thanks Eric - no worries. wanting to search will motivate me to keep my exported members list current. 

I LOVE this tool... a LOT. thank you

[Illya]

Great!