Quite frankly, things have gotten out of hand with these spam bots. The Trash Can hasn't been this active in months.

In order to try and stem the flow of this bullshit, I've put every member classified as a "Member" into the "New Members" group. Don't worry, it'll either come off the next time you post, or after the next five times you post. Either way, the idea is that when new users get validated, they'll be put into the "New Members" group and won't be able to start new topics until they've posted five times.

Obviously this is not the ideal solution, but since it's nigh impossible to filter these things out during registration, it will have to do. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, especially right now, since Portable Ops was released yesterday. edit: I changed everyone's account who posted in the last two days. I'll try to get around to looking through the 3100+ other members when I have some spare time. Since I'm manually validating everyone now, I took away the topic restriction. Post away.

As for other miscellaneous tid-bits, there's still time left to participate in the Anniv3rsary contest. I'm officially changing the contest right now due to less than stellar interest in it. Now you'll have to either create an official MGSForums.com signature or an official MGSForums.com wallpaper (1024 x 768, preferably).

Also, we'll be making some changes in staffing soon, so don't be alarmed.

That's all until next time (which will most likely be in another two-ish weeks)
the_cobbinator

Hey Cobb I know someone that has been spamming/advertising and have there MSN/Forum URL let me know if you want it.

I hope this will stop those spambots for good. They are a bit annoying.

What is their purpose anyway, to annoy people?

The MGSF spambot is also advertising via PMs. So Of Course hes doing it to advertise there site. But yea spamming for no reason is stupid...

If you have seen Google.com browsing the site, it is a Google bot. The kind of bots we're talking about are bots that join, to either advertise websites, offers etc. or to just spam.

I think you should try and find some info outta this:

http://mgsforums.com/index.php?showtopic=14649

^ That topic was locked and the bot banned. What more would we do with it?

One more additional note: If you've been receiving PMs advertising another Metal Gear Solid Forums, forward me the PM.

@Dani: Yeah, that's a good bet as to which program they're using.

Google Bot has nothing to do with this. It could be some other stupid bot but not Google Bot, believe me.

As for the advertising PM, I still haven't received one. Am I expected to get one like real soon or something? And what's with the other Metal Gear Solid Forums?

I know. I was using Google Bot as an example. Of course Google wouldn't advertise. I didn't know any other way I could have explained it.

Ugh, I've seen it too...not again Aftermath -_-

Anyway job well done staff, sweeties for you all :P

You don't know? O rly *looks at sig* :rolleyes:

Well, there is a complete rip off of this forum, with the exact same name; Metal Gear Solid Forums. TBH, it'll never take off. The skin is terrible for a start. Banner - terrible etc.

It's most likely the software found in the link Dani posted. I have suspicions that Aftermath is using it, but I can't confirm anything.

As for the advertising PMs, don't be coy. If I were akin to Aftermath, I would have banned you the second you came on the site. However, since I'm not an unctuous nut-hook like him, I'm giving you a chance to prove yourself to be better than the trash that seems to radiate out from the site you so kindly put in your signature.