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Software developers have discovered that web-based
"forums" are an excellent tool for providing software
support and technical assistance to users of their
software. Often in such forums, existing customers
will help other customers, which results in the
forum community helping to reduce the software
company's support burden. That said, forums are
not without their issues, and a primary one being
forum spam.
Automated bots will often automate forum registration
and postings in an effort to increase links back
to their own websites. These posts are often completely
unrelated to the forum topics, are usually cluttered
with unrelated links, and may even contain offensive
or inappropriate material. Software developers
who have support forums, or who are interested
in implementing a forum, need to be proactive
in order to reduce the amount of spam in their
forum.
The following are tips that will help software
companies reduce their forum spam...
1. Validation
Require validation during the forum registration
process.
2. Reorder Registration Forms
There are a number of popular forum management
scripts that have a specific format to their registration
screens. This makes it easier for bots to "learn"
them and then automate the registration process.
Reordering the registration fields in the forum
registration process from time to time can sometimes
prevent bots from being able to register.
3. Captcha Codes
Implement "captcha" codes in the forum registration
process. You can also implement captcha codes
in the forum posting process, if necessary. While
not completely foolproof, a captcha code system
can often prevent the more rudimentary automated
posting systems from being able to auto-register
and post.
4. Email Verification
Require email verification for all forum registrations.
In other words, a new member should not be allowed
to post until they have verified their registration,
and they will be unable to verify registration
if they did not provide a valid email address.
5. Conditional Signatures
Many forums require that members generate a
certain number of posts before they are allowed
to add links to their forum signature.
6. URL Restriction
Restrict the number of URLs that are allowed
in forum signatures. Also, requiring a specific
number of forum posts before allowing a forum
signature to display will help filter spammers,
because it simply requires too much effort.
7. IP Blocking
Many forums have built-in tools to block certain
IP addresses that habitually spam forums. Utilize
these available tools to block problematic IP
addresses, usernames, or domains from posting
in your support forum.
8. Moderation
Forum moderation is a necessity. An actual person
should be dedicated to monitoring the forum and
quickly removing any inappropriate posts.
9. Forum Filters
Many of the common forum packages have spam filter
add-ons that will help minimize forum spam. Utilize
these tools to automate forum spam filtering.
Regardless of the steps implemented to minimize
forum spam, you must stay vigilant.
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|
Developer
101
Reduce
Forum Spam