Post ATqBdSfJVPismhwmWW by sariash@social.tchncs.de
(DIR) More posts by sariash@social.tchncs.de
(DIR) Post #ATqB2q5hRmROitpHrE by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T12:42:26Z
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I just woke up for the day, got to the computer and logged into Mastodon as per the usual. As soon as I sat down and scrolled through my notifications I have realized that I have now been followed by 29 other accounts from Mastodon.Top that @thomas_virtubox is the admin of and those accounts all have malicious links in their profiles.Yesterday I sent an email to that admin and I have reported several accounts that followed me from that account. (cont...)#MastoAdmin #MastoAdmins #Fediblock
(DIR) Post #ATqBBschOxZzBPZY2a by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T12:44:04Z
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@thomas_virtubox At this time, I feel it's best to block that domain completely because 1) I don't want my followers list filled with these bots, 2) Reporting them and blocking them doesn't seem to be solving much of anything at the moment and 3) It's likely not going to stop any time soon and 4) The admin of that instance hasn't responded. If/When they respond, then I can see about changing things. (cont...)
(DIR) Post #ATqBHOajyHDtmNHoTA by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T12:45:03Z
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@thomas_virtubox If anyone else has any other ideas of what I should do please let me know. I am a new admin of an instance so I don't know what's best and what's not, so suggestions are open.But this is ridiculous that I wake up to notifications like this.#MastoAdmin #MastoAdmins #FediBlock
(DIR) Post #ATqBRMDjdq1fJzHAPY by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T12:46:52Z
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Here are a couple of the accounts if anyone would like to block them.@forchandmonnonc @profinmigcemb
(DIR) Post #ATqBdSfJVPismhwmWW by sariash@social.tchncs.de
2023-03-21T12:49:02Z
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@CliffWade @thomas_virtubox I just had one of those followers too. Seems like @thomas_virtubox isn't active for months, according to the toots and replies in his profile.
(DIR) Post #ATqBfmQP0lMEeA4uH2 by panelfmedia@social.vivaldi.net
2023-03-21T12:49:26Z
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@CliffWade @forchandmonnonc@mastodon.top @profinmigcemb@mastodon.top
(DIR) Post #ATqBljLBOJR4opTRrs by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T12:50:32Z
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@sariash @thomas_virtubox Yep, that's what I was noticing as well. Which was another reason, though I didn't mention it, as to why I think it might be best to just block the entire domain.
(DIR) Post #ATqCbuTBG70uOR60xs by michael@mstdn.thms.uk
2023-03-21T12:59:57Z
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@CliffWade my suggestion would be to ‘limit’ rather than block outright. That way, if anyone on your instance has an existing follower/followed relationship with someone on that instance, that relationship wont break, but afaik, the spam should be stopped.
(DIR) Post #ATqCkiaUnzHy9EiZAe by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T13:01:34Z
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@michael I only have 2 users on my instance, so I don't have to worry about that aspect of things. I've made sure the other user at this time isn't following anyone from that instance either.But limiting is certainly an option and one I'll look into to see how it works exactly and if it's suitable for this.
(DIR) Post #ATqDlcewQq9m0OnBYW by KarenWyld@aus.social
2023-03-21T13:12:53Z
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@CliffWade Limit doesn't stop them sending follow requests. We're a big Instance with many mutuals, so have that Instance on temp Limit. Still getting lots of reports, but we've got a big mod team. I checked that Instance's accounts list a couple of hours ago, and there were at least 100 new spambots. If you've only got 2 accounts, maybe a temp block on mastodon.top is your best solution?This is the second Instance the same spammers have recently hit. @michael
(DIR) Post #ATqDpiyYtCm0knvROy by kylewritescode@iosdev.space
2023-03-21T13:13:39Z
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@CliffWade @sariash @thomas_virtubox If the admin himself had malicious links on his profile, seems to me either he isn’t who he says he is or, he is part of the issue.
(DIR) Post #ATqE60CyaSpkphQhSC by Nekoplanet@paquita.masto.host
2023-03-21T13:16:36Z
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@CliffWade @thomas_virtubox you can try calling virtubox offices. They are a web services provider, and Thomas seems to be an employee of the company. Looking through the local timeline I get the feeling is not moderated very much.
(DIR) Post #ATqECfusQkLbvS95ii by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T13:17:49Z
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@KarenWyld @michael Thank you so much for your insight and that information. I was just looking at the instance as well after posting all of that above and noticed like you said, there are at least 100 new spam bots that have been created in the last 2 - 3 days alone.I was wondering if Limit would block follow requests as I didn't think it would, so good to know.I'm just going to block it for now and if the admin or someone speaks up, I'll go from there.
(DIR) Post #ATqEHyIzUKWoPDwyqO by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T13:18:46Z
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@kylewritescode @sariash @thomas_virtubox Certainly something that stands out and I'm curious who more people or instances haven't blocked this domain yet.
(DIR) Post #ATqEQ9rwNWjeaRCYD2 by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T13:20:16Z
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@Nekoplanet @thomas_virtubox I actually thought about making a phone call, but honestly, since my instance only has 5 users in total at the moment it's not worth all the hassle. I feel at this point I can block and forget. If the admin or a mod contacts me, then I can simply go from there and see what needs to be done.
(DIR) Post #ATqEWcQ98XlmsMHW3k by kylewritescode@iosdev.space
2023-03-21T13:21:26Z
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@CliffWade @sariash @thomas_virtubox Seriously thinking about it!
(DIR) Post #ATqEu20q9YHQuLboCe by KarenWyld@aus.social
2023-03-21T13:25:36Z
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@CliffWade I'm hoping the Admin is ok. That Instance has good rules, so I'm puzzled why it's not being moderated.
(DIR) Post #ATqFsSbYPfSIkzb1VI by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T13:36:35Z
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@KarenWyld Same. It's a decently sized instance I believe and it seems weird that this is suddenly happening. Hopefully he's doing well and just MIA or something for a bit.
(DIR) Post #ATqFuW18hCNlv7XkW0 by Aaron@social.aaroncrocco.com
2023-03-21T13:36:57Z
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@CliffWade It's really just that: block, block, block. When you're admin of your own instance you can Limit or fully Suspend .top if you needed. I limited it for mine.
(DIR) Post #ATqG0AyRqbmuOPz3YG by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T13:37:59Z
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@Aaron Limit doesn't stop them from following though, that's the bad part. I'm just going to suspend it for now and if someone from there contacts me, then I'll go from there.
(DIR) Post #ATqG5cMBSy0ulcgGps by Aaron@social.aaroncrocco.com
2023-03-21T13:38:56Z
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@CliffWade Ah true. Yeah. Just nuke. lol
(DIR) Post #ATqG9ZBhBuCO62er0C by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T13:39:40Z
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@Aaron Looking for "nuke" option/button now! 🤪
(DIR) Post #ATqGKeZtUSl602GNbE by jcrabapple@dmv.community
2023-03-21T13:41:39Z
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@CliffWade @Aaron I had initially suspended it, but I changed to Limit because it does have over 7k users most of which are probably legitimate. I just hope they get their shit together and get a better mod team.
(DIR) Post #ATqGLrCm1ppPS31TTU by kylewritescode@iosdev.space
2023-03-21T13:41:53Z
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@CliffWade @sariash @thomas_virtubox Okay, so it appears it’s not the entire instance but porn bots that are the issue. Which is a thing right now that’s causing issues. Which is why it’s important to have signup approvals on.
(DIR) Post #ATqGY6IhjGYZkEdQau by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T13:44:06Z
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@jcrabapple @Aaron If I wasn't getting all these damn follows, then I'd limit it in a heartbeat. But damn, why the hell did I get to be the chosen one for them to follow. LOL
(DIR) Post #ATqGxqBoFjMBJ1gSQa by Nekoplanet@paquita.masto.host
2023-03-21T13:48:44Z
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@CliffWade @thomas_virtubox sounds the most sensible option
(DIR) Post #ATqLJ3Qoc7rOH04cbo by dominic@fedi.oe7drt.com
2023-03-21T14:27:31Z
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@KarenWylda day job would be one reason. there are still a few people that don't actually live inside the fediverseimagine 50 to 100 reports a day, that you probably have to lookup one by one because you want to verify that account being a spambot account.also because someone reports something doesn't also mean you have to trust the reporter because that could be fake too. lots of things to consider i think...going over reports and Email does cost time.@cliffwade
(DIR) Post #ATqLJ4bUFvzTuO4esi by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T14:37:23Z
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@dominic @KarenWyld I do agree with this, but I also disagree. Anyone can click a profile and see the obvious link in their profile, which happens to be the ONLY thing there, and know that it needs to be dealt with. There's also tons of reports of the same account, similar accounts and looking at their user list, it's clearly visible that something is going on and needs to be dealt with.
(DIR) Post #ATqNZyZm7TOq2sSe4e by KarenWyld@aus.social
2023-03-21T15:02:50Z
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@CliffWade yes. We tend to see patterns repeating. All of these current spam accounts have the exact same link in their bios. This is the second Instance they've attacked this month. The other one shut sign ups and quickly booted the bots. An absent admin, with no sign of a mod team, is generally a red flag that an admin is struggling. And that's when other admins/mods step in to offer help. I really like how we support each other here. Believing in community is why I volunteer as a mod. @dominic
(DIR) Post #ATqOBxVyVuexl3nMbg by Dio9sys@haunted.computer
2023-03-21T15:09:43Z
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@CliffWadeI've been getting this too! It's obnoxious
(DIR) Post #ATqOgVtBH8bV3VDdjM by thomas_virtubox@mastodon.top
2023-03-21T15:12:59Z
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@kylewritescode @CliffWade @sariash I'm working on it. Signup approval enabled.
(DIR) Post #ATqOihtZbhj6s6RsDw by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T15:15:40Z
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@thomas_virtubox @kylewritescode @sariash Thank you for responding! If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know.
(DIR) Post #ATqPAiI3jSoWClFwPI by thomas_virtubox@mastodon.top
2023-03-21T15:20:43Z
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@CliffWade @kylewritescode @sariash all porn spam bots have been banned.
(DIR) Post #ATqPKHbNoVcaKPrFM8 by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T15:22:27Z
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@thomas_virtubox @kylewritescode @sariash Thank you so much for taking care of this. Sorry you had all the pings/mentions and stuff. Hopefully this all subsides with the bots signing up. Truly annoying.
(DIR) Post #ATqPcCeIy15yBCllei by thomas_virtubox@mastodon.top
2023-03-21T15:25:36Z
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@CliffWade @kylewritescode @sariash no problem. Thanks for the report
(DIR) Post #ATqUdHesKOY7mAN3ke by neatchee@urusai.social
2023-03-21T16:21:52Z
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@CliffWade @jcrabapple @Aaron it's not just you. I contacted the admin by email and they claim the issue is resolved as of this morning. We shall see
(DIR) Post #ATqXUegtcjOISytSAS by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T16:53:57Z
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@neatchee @jcrabapple @Aaron You can read their response here https://mastodon.top/@thomas_virtubox/110061917293697842
(DIR) Post #ATqdjTWs0KeLuxeaiO by Aaron@social.aaroncrocco.com
2023-03-21T18:03:51Z
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@CliffWade @neatchee @jcrabapple That link isn't working for me.
(DIR) Post #ATqjH736agUdoVafKq by maikelthedev@vmst.io
2023-03-21T19:05:58Z
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@CliffWade @thomas_virtubox check this out @vmstan
(DIR) Post #ATqjRqefsqg09bHYie by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T19:07:55Z
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@maikelthedev this has been taken care of by the admin just FYI. They have banned all bots and made the instance approval only.
(DIR) Post #ATqjbSlhY4Qixz9aPw by vmstan@vmst.io
2023-03-21T19:08:54Z
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@maikelthedev @CliffWade @thomas_virtubox yeah still waiting on some kind of action (or maybe further lack of action) before going harsher on the fediblock, there are a ton of legitimate reasons to follow folks on .top, and purging active domains should be a last resort.
(DIR) Post #ATqjbTDhrwpcMqFx4K by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T19:09:39Z
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@vmstan @maikelthedev @thomas_virtubox Here's the response from the admin to me this morning. https://mastodon.top/@thomas_virtubox/110061917293697842
(DIR) Post #ATqjuXpqvxfWBRC6d6 by maikelthedev@vmst.io
2023-03-21T19:13:05Z
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@CliffWade somehow the response from mastodon.top admin you linked doesn't give me any reassurance.
(DIR) Post #ATqjx6rneuhXPWKPEu by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T19:13:34Z
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@maikelthedev Care to explain why?
(DIR) Post #ATqkCnkgUk9IlDTxjc by maikelthedev@vmst.io
2023-03-21T19:16:23Z
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@CliffWade I don't know him at all, has he proven he's actually gotten rid of them all? I'm against fediblocking but restricting until proven that he's gotten rid of the bots, sure.
(DIR) Post #ATqkHNti347G1RtBEO by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T19:17:13Z
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@maikelthedev They aren't showing on the account list any longer. There were nearly 200 that have been removed.
(DIR) Post #ATqkUI4L1vxpi50xrk by maikelthedev@vmst.io
2023-03-21T19:19:33Z
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@CliffWade give it a week, there's no rush and no harm in restricting until later. If in a week no bots keep chasing your instance's people then unrestrict. Until then I feel much safer with the instance restricted, all it does is anyone from mastodon.top has to be approved, while I keep not having to approve anyone else to follow me.
(DIR) Post #ATqkbmZa12egLLCSyu by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T19:20:55Z
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@maikelthedev True. I'm just relying the information that I know. So far I've gotten nothing from that instance since he replied. I hope it remains that way.
(DIR) Post #ATqkitOV3KpJWgPLRA by maikelthedev@vmst.io
2023-03-21T19:22:11Z
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@CliffWade even its own legitimate users are already complaining....Check below. https://mastodon.top/@lispi314/110062304071628124
(DIR) Post #ATqm7r2H3gsdPBTjOK by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T19:37:55Z
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@maikelthedev What's funny is, I can never reach the instance in any browser. I reached it one time and that was it. Not sure why it's not working for me.
(DIR) Post #ATqmKevJP35lbWKNm4 by maikelthedev@vmst.io
2023-03-21T19:40:13Z
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@CliffWade what happens when you click on the above link? 🤔
(DIR) Post #ATqn8abVjiqGgesHk8 by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T19:49:15Z
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@maikelthedev This is now the second time I've gotten it to work. Usually it just times out and I never get to see the site.
(DIR) Post #ATqnjwlWIsyW8NMysy by maikelthedev@vmst.io
2023-03-21T19:55:59Z
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@CliffWade how strange, I'm randomly opening it and it loads every time. Does it happen to you only with that site?
(DIR) Post #ATqnofMURC35baud3A by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T19:56:52Z
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@maikelthedev Yep. I can visit everything else just fine. It opened after about 10 refreshes. Same thing yesterday. But majority of the time it won't load.
(DIR) Post #ATqnw8vwt8WFLe3z6G by maikelthedev@vmst.io
2023-03-21T19:58:12Z
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@CliffWade I would call not being able to open mastodon.top a feature, not a bug. https://media.giphy.com/media/nFFguNjdeotwc/giphy.gif
(DIR) Post #ATqo2kAdM6HoZd4zGy by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T19:59:24Z
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@maikelthedev LOL At this point, I can't argue with your statement! 🤪
(DIR) Post #ATqpAibDBJ6ryGsSxs by maikelthedev@vmst.io
2023-03-21T20:12:02Z
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@CliffWade beware I'm not a member of vmst.io staff. I'm just its self-declared User Experience Karen.
(DIR) Post #ATqpFrOTuVTGhANIuW by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T20:12:58Z
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@lispi314 Thank you! Unfortunately that doesn't stop accounts on that limited instance from following others. I ended up with a total of 64 follows from bots on that instance over the course of 36 hours or so.
(DIR) Post #ATqpOrzf3AlVA43sKe by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T20:14:36Z
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@lispi314 Yep. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they followed so that it could be brought to my attention and so that I could get in touch with the admin and allowed others to know what's going on. Just limiting isn't necessarily the fix in cases such as this and hopefully others understand that.
(DIR) Post #ATqqc0oleXLcFRnSgS by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T20:28:11Z
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@lispi314 So much this! There definitely needs to be a lot more control for these types of things.
(DIR) Post #ATqqtFnfCce5daVAsS by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T20:31:18Z
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@ezio @lispi314 What is misskey if you don't mind me asking?
(DIR) Post #ATqrCyzfOjvrIyWWsi by cliffwade@allthingstech.social
2023-03-21T20:34:52Z
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@ezio @lispi314 Oh ok. I thought maybe it was some kind of plugin and I was getting excited. LOL
(DIR) Post #ATqteo7xakbdcXnZA0 by hybridhavoc@darkfriend.social
2023-03-21T19:24:10Z
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The mastodon.top admin has declared the porn spam bots banned. I’ve removed the earlier federation limitations.#FediBlockFrom @thomas_virtuboxhttps://mastodon.top/users/thomas_virtubox/statuses/110061947700522687