in reply to Stopping spam AHHHHH!!!!!

I agree with the earlier comment that it is an arms-race. Forum spam is in many ways similar to email spam, so the first things I thought of were something along the lines of SpamAssassin, or a Bayesian or other type of filter. Depending on the forum software, there may already be tools to do something similar. However, I would not discount the lower-hanging fruit:

Also, have you looked for other resources (generic or specific to your forum software), such as http://www.stopforumspam.com/?

Hope that helps, and good luck.

Update: 2015-06-10
Added note regarding blocking of fixed strings.

Update: 2015-06-10
Added link to additional resources.

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Re^2: Stopping spam AHHHHH!!!!!
by james28909 (Deacon) on Jun 10, 2015 at 18:48 UTC 
    1. Is there a pattern in usernames that are making these posts?
2. Is there a particular block/range of IP addresses they are posted f
+rom?
3. Does the forum software have the ability to block certain strings, 
+and if so, are there other string literals that appear in multiple of
+ the posts that can be filtered on? (Understanding that this may only
+ serve as a temporary barrier.)
4. Are there other commonalities in the posts (user-agent, etc.) that 
+can be examined for patterns to the postings?
5. Is there some form of approval system required for posting in certa
+in areas, or for posters of a certain age/post count that could be en
+abled? (Understanding that major changes in a forum may spark protest
+s among some users unless handled tactfully.)

    [download]
    1. no, it is different each time, but post is always almost the same, only names of cities change and format of telephone number
    2. nope, they use a proxy.
    3. yes sir, the forum does indeed have software, but this is the only type that gets around it, and always has a telephone number (7 or more), and is from new users.
    4. as mentioned earlier, the telephone number is always 7 or more digits, they contain city names, but they change per post.
    5. well new users cant post links, so i dont see why it would be so bad if it wouldnt allow new users to post strings with 7 or more digits in title or post.
[reply]
[d/l]
      2. Is there a particular block/range of IP addresses they are posted from?
      2. nope, they use a proxy.

      Who is "they"? All users, some users, or just the spammers? A single proxy or several?

      Alexander

      --
      Today I will gladly share my knowledge and experience, for there are no sweeter words than "I told you so". ;-)
[reply]
        "they" being the one whom post the spam... :

        EDIT: i would go on a limb to say they would use whatever resources that they could to post 2 or 3 messages
[reply]

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