These Bots

Too Tall Tomatoes 3/27/2012, 10:25 am

I understand what these Bots are but isn't there something that can be done to prevent them from being here?

GWN 3/27/2012, 10:31 am

what are bots?

Too Tall Tomatoes 3/27/2012, 10:46 am

If you scroll down to the section of the page that tells you who's online, you'll notice Bots listed there. Bots are fake(there is never anybody behind them) accounts set up here, or any forum, to possibly gather information from the postings of forum members. Typically they're just here to gather information so that various companies(who set up these bots) can send out advertising via email. That's one reason why you never should post your email address in threads. If you want someone to have your email address, send it to them via PM.

Almost forgot....

Bots is short for robots. They are either set up by someone or they're automatic. They are also similar to spyware.

GWN 3/27/2012, 11:03 am

thank you
That is a great description
I do not see where you can see who is online though

boffer 3/27/2012, 11:06 am

These particular bots look around and then tell the world that we're here and what we are talking about, via search engines. That is a good thing; they are our friends.

Alan used to post his email all the time with no problems. I've had two dummy email accounts since 2010, and I've never been spammed. Data harvesting with nefarious intentions hasn't been a problem here.

H_TX_2 3/27/2012, 11:10 am

GWN wrote:thank you
That is a great description
I do not see where you can see who is online though

Go to the forum home page and scroll to the bottom. There it lists members, guests and bots that are online.

Too Tall Tomatoes 3/27/2012, 11:16 am

boffer wrote:These particular bots look around and then tell the world that we're here and what we are talking about, via search engines. That is a good thing; they are our friends.

Alan used to post his email all the time with no problems. I've had two dummy email accounts since 2010, and I've never been spammed. Data harvesting with nefarious intentions hasn't been a problem here.

The only way the bots can do anything nasty is if they're set up to do nasty things and if you're dumb enough to post financial information for anybody to see. I have several email accounts(different accounts for different functions) and I've never been spammed much.

I would never post my email in any thread though....that's just me.

Honestly I'm a bit cynical of any bots since my checking account has been compromised via stolen debit card information.

boffer 3/27/2012, 11:21 am

Here's a page from the admin's software, common to all forumotion forums. When this forum was established, those bots that you see were invited here so we could get our info out faster.

I wouldn't post personal information here either. Since email addys are disposable these days, maybe they're not considered personal anymore.

These Bots 118810

Too Tall Tomatoes 3/27/2012, 11:35 am

boffer wrote:Here's a page from the admin's software, common to all forumotion forums. When this forum was established, those bots that you see were invited here so we could get our info out faster.

I wouldn't post personal information here either. Since email addys are disposable these days, maybe they're not considered personal anymore.

Email should be considered personal because if a cyber thief can hack into your email account, he or she can probably use that to find the tiniest shred of personal information. Maybe I'm not explaining myself properly but think of it this way: One foot gets in the door, it's not that difficult to get the rest of the body in.

These bots seem to be safe but I'm just talking about overall email/financial security

Grandpop 3/27/2012, 1:20 pm

Bots are also used by some forums to give a false impression of the number of people who are using the site.

**camprn** 3/27/2012, 4:33 pm

OK, a show of hands from the folks who found this fabulous SFG Forum on the internet? (raising hand) The reason you found us is because of the search engines like Google and Bing, Dogpile, etc. those are bots.

Too Tall Tomatoes 3/27/2012, 4:55 pm

Different bots for different purposes.

**camprn** 3/27/2012, 5:08 pm

Too Tall Tomatoes wrote:Different bots for different purposes.

TTT, please be comforted in what Boffer has taken the time to explain to you regarding the safety of this site in particular. I have to concur with Boffer's assessment as I too have not been SPAMMED from this site for the past 2 years. If you remain concerned for your data safety, please be sure that none of your private information is provided here on this forum in your profile and that your personal computer software protection is up to date.

Too Tall Tomatoes 3/27/2012, 5:18 pm

camprn wrote:
Too Tall Tomatoes wrote:Different bots for different purposes.
TTT, please be comforted in what Boffer has taken the time to explain to you regarding the safety of this site in particular. I have to concur with Boffer's assessment as I too have not been SPAMMED from this site for the past 2 years. If you remain concerned for your data safety, please be sure that none of your private information is provided here on this forum in your profile and that your personal computer software protection is up to date.

What Boffer has explained to me has sunken in within seconds of reading it. I'm not concerned one bit with the bots that are a part of this forum. I have never been spammed from this site. It's bots that are a part of other forums, chatrooms, websites, etc. that I'm concerned with. I certainly wouldn't make my personal information known for all to see. I'm certainly smarter than that.

My computer software protection is up to date but the most up-to-date computer protection is still vulnerable to attacks.

What a Face

**RoOsTeR** 3/27/2012, 8:47 pm

This is just silly. It's been explained what the bots are for and they're harmless.
Topic Closed!

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