So...ever since the new software came, I've been noticing an alarming number of ad bots - one of which (that I saw; there may have been more than one!) even posted pornographic images to drag us over to its porn site. >.<;

Now, considering that I have a mule already (who probably needs a name change, I might add; I used a Unicode character for the name...D; I have to find the email address I used on that one >.<;), I don't know whether or not email validation is still required...but if not, I think it should be put back. If so...then how is this happening?

Is the posting test still there? If not, I think that needs to be put back - it was a much more useful (and fun!) way of gaining posting permission than CAPTCHAs, and at the same time as keeping people from making idiots of themselves (no offense to anyone; I should add that if you're here, it means you're NOT an idiot at all), it served the SAME purpose of making someone prove they were human before they could post.

If both of the above are still there...well then. What should we do about this problem? I'd REALLY like to see it dealt with...it's annoying me very much, and I'm sure the mods feel the same way. >.<;

If I see any good suggestions, I'll quote them in this post, if you don't mind. ;p

And I'm sorry if this is a repeat post or if it belongs somewhere else...I don't really know how to deal with this. Ad bots on Mene is something new to me. I don't know how to react! :sweat:

I'm pretty sure both are still in place. I have no idea why they would be removed. Well the posting test probably was because it was retarded anyway. >.< But still.

IF and When you see an ad bot REPORT it. I can't tell you how annoying it is to have to search through all of the forums for these bots and see that one has posted only then to realize that 50+ people have viewed it and NOT reported it! D: If you see something wrong report it. Even if you think someone else will, report it anyway. Seriously.

Like Melody said, if you see an ad bot, REPORT IT. We aren't in all places at all times, so sometimes things are out on the forums WAY too long because no one reports them. It would be extremely helpful if people actually reported these things when they saw them.

I'm not sure if the posting test is still around or not, but I hope it is. I think that though it was terribly easy, it was one way to prevent this kind of thing from happening.

I always report the things when I see them...because I know almost everyone seems to assume "Oh, someone else must have gotten it." But the way I see it...it would be better to have multiple reports on one issue than none at all. I've moderated a few forums...so I know how annoying it is to see that kind of thing and not have a SINGLE report on them. >.<;

I really need to find someone mule-less, or convince a friend to join or something to see if the posting test is still there. I REALLY hope it is...but at the same time, I hope it's not, because then putting it back might effectively solve the problem. >.<;

Retarded or not, it was the posting test that kept the bots away. That is why they are registering now, because there is no test in place.

I'm hoping another one will be instated, but that will require extra coding because there isn't an option for more than one kind of verification check at the moment.

but in the meantime, as already stated, please report any bots that you see :yes: