An issue addressing the large amount of fake accounts recently.

[Wolfheart1002† 0]

Now I know this should go in feedback but it may not be noticed if put there. In recent months, there have been hundreds of ad-bots and fake accounts for every 1 or 2 real people willing to join. I'm wondering, why I this happening? Why is there such a huge influx of bots now? When I was here my 1st year, there were hardly any.

[Flechmen 0]

It goes up and down really. I'm not sure what it is to be honest.

 

I think reCaptcha is a failure though.

[Ryland† 0]

I think reCaptcha is a failure though.

 

Thank you fletchmen.

[Wolfheart1002† 0]

So, can these bots somehow type the words into reCAPTCHA to activate accounts, or would a human have to start the process?

[Flechmen 0]

I think the bots can do it. Given the way reCaptcha works,its not that surprising.

 

It takes a word from a printed piece of material (book, newspaper, radio script, etc.) and gives you one word it knows and one word it doesn't.. So, in solving the captcha, you're helping in the process of digitizing books.

 

As far as security goes, this used to work a lot better than it does now...

 

What's strange is when I changed the registration system to use reCaptcha, the built in captha (which is completely random, and only the software on this website knows the answer at any given point) was either broken or working about as well as reCaptcha is now (I forget which, possibly both).

[Slivac† 0]

I dont remember where from exactly I remember this, but there's another 'reCaptcha' type application where instead of words its a few simple math problems. Its rather simple but I have no idea just how well it works.

[James SilverWolf† 1]

Well I did some digging Flechmen, and found these, I don't know if they'll be of much help though:

 

http://www.arraystudio.com/as-workshop/the-captcha-alternatives.html

 

http://www.sitepoint.com/captcha-problems-alternatives/

 

http://forums.yessoftware.com/posts.php?post_id=104324

 

Hope these help.

[Flechmen 0]

We'll be fixing things soon. As it is, the spam accounts aren't exactly damaging anything.

[Alsek† 0]

Moved thread to the feedback forum as that is where it belongs....

 

Please don't post threads in the wrong section on purpose.