45 minutes ago, exchemist said:

The currently still visible “Kraken” spam post in the Maths section is a case in point. For some odd reason it’s still there after the cleanup, but one does not have permission to view it. Weird.

We don't normally delete anything, but this made me twitch a bit, so I released it.

I would think deleting spam, of the overt kind we're seeing, would make sense just on the basis of managing database storage space. Maybe just keep a log of IP numbers, to get an idea of where all this garbage is coming from. Hopefully not from a predatory giant Norwegian squid.

43 minutes ago, TheVat said:

Hopefully not from a predatory giant Norwegian squid.

Tough to tell, if they use a VPN or other proxy. They have their tentacles in everything

11 hours ago, swansont said:

Occasionally I wish I had a non-moderator account so I could see what regular members see

I can still see them and access them.

9 hours ago, pinball1970 said:

can still see them and access them.

Turns out there were two spammers who posted in philosophy that we hadn’t banned yet (gujarrr was one)

And I just found a few more by searching on “support” in the title and scrolling through the ~55 pages of spam we got on Friday. (Most were in Science News)

45 minutes ago, swansont said:

Turns out there were two spammers who posted in philosophy that we hadn’t banned yet (gujarrr was one)

And I just found a few more by searching on “support” in the title and scrolling through the ~55 pages of spam we got on Friday. (Most were in Science News)

Never trust a Philosopher.

😄

1 hour ago, swansont said:

Turns out there were two spammers who posted in philosophy that we hadn’t banned yet (gujarrr was one)

And I just found a few more by searching on “support” in the title and scrolling through the ~55 pages of spam we got on Friday. (Most were in Science News)

Ok, I'll stick numbers and sub forums if more than one the report box if it happens again. Help you target them.

On 9/30/2025 at 4:07 PM, studiot said:

Never trust a Philosopher.

😄

Hey! Never trust a fake philosoper.

On 9/30/2025 at 3:24 PM, swansont said:

(Most were in Science News)

Never trust science news?

@TheVat

What Norwegian squid?

1 hour ago, Otto Kretschmer said:

@TheVat

What Norwegian squid?

The one that attacked the Maths section and left a tentacle behind. He went by the name "Kraken", but I call him Ari.

As well as the Norse legend of a terrible sea monster, there was the movie quote "release the kraken," which become a popular catchphrase. Later, in 2020, we had a terrible Trump monster, Sidney Powell, who unleashed the phrase on journalists in regard to some harebrained election conspiracy theory.

I don't know why "Ari" but sometimes jokes sail over my head, only later to seize me in their tentacles when I either finally get it or someone explains it to me.

2 hours ago, TheVat said:

I don't know why "Ari" but sometimes jokes sail over my head, only later to seize me in their tentacles when I either finally get it or someone explains it to me.

@MigL can probably translate.

Many thanks (again) to the mods who keep forums like this readable/usable.

... all voluntary. You are doing something that people appreciate.

3 hours ago, pzkpfw said:

Many thanks (again) to the mods who keep forums like this readable/usable.

... all voluntary. You are doing something that people appreciate.

+1. Yes, mostly a thankless task.

11 hours ago, Phi for All said:

The one that attacked the Maths section and left a tentacle behind. He went by the name "Kraken", but I call him Ari.

Ok, thank you. I thought it's some shady organization based in Norway that I don't know about.

21 hours ago, pzkpfw said:

Many thanks (again) to the mods who keep forums like this readable/usable.

... all voluntary. You are doing something that people appreciate.

Yes. The time and effort by the moderators in keeping this site free of all kinds of garbage (even beyond spam) is very much appreciated.

We now seem to have series of fake-sounding “conversations” going on between newly joined entities that I feel fairly sure are bots. Is this the prelude to another flood, I wonder….

I’ve reported them to be on the safe side.

Edited October 8Oct 8 by exchemist

Thank you for your sharply observed take on new members, @exchemist . Your reporting on this trend shows your thoughtful and deeply scrupulous attention to the integrity of the website and is a timely reminder of how easily users can be deceived by automated software. And your prompt use of the reporting feature reflects an unusual diligence in addressing these serious concerns.

(teehee)

7 minutes ago, TheVat said:

Thank you for your sharply observed take on new members, @exchemist . Your reporting on this trend shows your thoughtful and deeply scrupulous attention to the integrity of the website and is a timely reminder of how easily users can be deceived by automated software. And your prompt use of the reporting feature reflects an unusual diligence in addressing these serious concerns.

(teehee)

Heh heh. I’m ever so ‘umble, Mr. Copperfield.

Again a simple vetting process, where you don't simply type in your email, user name and password to start posting, but you have to wait till an admin gives the 'go-ahead' by return email, might discourage bots and 'pranksters' as they have to be contacted and wait a period of time.

5 hours ago, exchemist said:

We now seem to have series of fake-sounding “conversations” going on between newly joined entities that I feel fairly sure are bots. Is this the prelude to another flood, I wonder….

I’ve reported them to be on the safe side.

This has happened before, and predates the rise of LLMs. Often as an excuse to start posting spammy links that are “helpful” responses to inquiries

1 hour ago, swansont said:

This has happened before, and predates the rise of LLMs. Often as an excuse to start posting spammy links that are “helpful” responses to inquiries

Yes. This however feels like an LLM-enhanced version, with multiple exchanges, prefaced by the usual ingratiating opening. I suppose it was to be expected. This curious thing is how many exchanges take place, between several pseudo-entities, before any spam is placed.

6 minutes ago, exchemist said:

Yes. This however feels like an LLM-enhanced version, with multiple exchanges, prefaced by the usual ingratiating opening. I suppose it was to be expected. This curious thing is how many exchanges take place, between several pseudo-entities, before any spam is placed.

We’re watching. We’ve also gotten waves of students from the same school showing up together.

13 hours ago, swansont said:

We’re watching. We’ve also gotten waves of students from the same school showing up together.

I see more of it this morning, clearly of Russian origin judging by the Cyrillic that is appearing. I wonder if someone is using AI to explore ways to defeat the various anti-spam measures on sites like this, by creating entities that resemble real people closely enough to beat the system.

If the bots want to have a war or love fest (I'm not sure which) hopefully the increased net traffic generates some income to keep this site going.