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.

[Joe]

well done

[FedMedic]

WOOT!!! (doing my snoopy dance)

[Tuxedo Ramen]

BTW, if you are smart, you (should be able to) block a whole range of IP  addresses, say prevent all of Asia etc.

However, I tried that in my store, to block Nigeria, and it was rather hard as there was a wide range of poss IP's for that part of the world.

[ismail shah]

m agreed with u there should be Country Blocker as well. Check All above 3 IP,s which i provided. 

2 russia 1 china 

[Virgil G.]

Something tells me we may be barking up the wrong tree.
The site I moderate, I place every IP on the Block list, not their Domain.

Yet, I'm beginning to wonder that by entering a specific IP, if that may be blocking an honest member at times.

Most IPs are from China, India with a few coming from Russian Federation, Iraq, U.S.A., and a spattering of South America.

And it seems that as fast as I list an IP Address to the block, I get new ones from the same provider.

Something else needs to be done to stop these spammers from accessing our NING sites.

[mobile.ning.com]

I have the FEELING they are getting via Social Connectors?

[Ramon Batista]

I think that NING has to include Blocking email... WHY ? I have tracking IP's and Emails... and those 4 email address :

[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

Are really driving me CRAAAZZYY...  it doesn't matter if I block their IP... they use a proxy or so, to gain access again.... so, I think that if we can block their email, so they will have to spend a little time creating a new one email, aside to get a new IP... some day they will get tired of creating emails and those attacks will be reduced, at least, for a while

[mobile.ning.com]

You could do nothing and leave them in pending. I guess they will be unable to re-register again since they are on pending approval. 

Are you sending that they can still re-register even blocking their emails?

[Apostle Solael]

You do not want to leave them in pending however, because you will keep seeing that they are "pending approval" on the right hand side of your page.  I have denied one - and they have not returned.  Maybe if they reapply, they receive a message that they have been denied, but I do not know.

[Ramon Batista]

Mobile... I used that before, to approve or no, and looks like it works, but the problem with one of my Networks is that is getting a lot of Real Members that want to chat and use the Network.  So, if I put again the approve option, I think I will moving one step back  :( 

[Apostle Solael]

Wow! Good idea.  I also had to remove Mar.y.b....... and she has not returned since I blocked her for spamming and since I have created a question for all appliers to answer.

[ismail shah]

i have a small request :) .

is it possible that we able to see LAST VISIT of member ? In Member management List ?

1 more Suggestion.

Please Allow Search Box at member managment Area for searching IP,s. i tryed to search IP,s but its not working for now.

(It will help us removing Fake Profile of current members.some time we suspend some one from chat for some time they come back with anyother profile.it will help us in filtering )

Any plane to provide it in that list.that will help us in many aspects

Thanks in advance :)