The Crazy Rants of Samantha BurnsEvil Trackback Spam
I noticed that last weeks OTA only had two trackbacks whereas normally trackbacks are numerous. Finally, I discovered the reason - evil spammers.
My filters were working properly, but Movable Type was rejecting all trackbacks because the trackbacks/minute limitation that is built into the system. Spammers would constantly hit with trackbacks preventing real trackbacks from working.
So I found this Learning Movable Type article that explains some techniques to cut down on spam.
I did the tricks recommended and removed the 'auto-trackback' discovery feature which spammers were using to discover how to trackback to this site with their spamming tools. So far, no trackback spam but I expect them to keep trying.
Evil spammers should be boiled alive in a vat of corrosive toxic waste. Or worse, be forced to listen to a speech by Cindy Sheehan with intermissions by Celine Dion. Too cruel perhaps? Nah, they are spammers.
Comments
I've noticed that I can't trackback ANY Moveable Type sites lately. Now I know why.
Posted by: FIAR | January 12, 2006 03:27 PM
Ah, I wondered why I couldn't leave a trackback last time. I though you hated me. *cry*
The error returned was something like "You pinged too much, jerk!"
LOL
Posted by: Mark B. | January 12, 2006 03:55 PM
I k now I put in a decent effort on Sunday, but am still figuring it all out.
Posted by: Aaron | January 12, 2006 04:49 PM
Even I couldn't seem to get any trackbacks through to MT blogs because of this. Either the pings couldn't get through, or, the result said "successfully sent" and yet despite that, the pings never showed up on the page I was sending them to! Thanks for helping to explain what happened.
Posted by: Avi Green | January 13, 2006 12:04 AM
Thank you, MrBig, for the information. Much appreciated
Posted by: Tom the Redhunter | February 11, 2006 11:31 AM