Site being spammed by large number of people applying

[Pat Walter]

If you really have hip problems and are trying to join Hip Talk, please be patient.  I have changed the 3 questions to answer(showing the answers) and the captcha code is set to most diffiuclt.  I am getting large numbers of fake members trying to join that are spammers.

If you can't get thru the application process, just send me an email with a note about your hip problem.  Provide your username and password and I will manually sign you up.

If you have signed up and don't get an acceptance notice, please email me.

I am sorry, but it is diffuclt to go thru hundreds of fake applicants without loosing a few real potential members.

Pat

[hernanu]

Ridiculous. Sorry you have to deal with this, Pat.

[Jason0411]

Why would people want to do that what will they gain?

[Dannywayoflife]

Hmmmm I wonder how many anti resurfacing people have tried to join?
As always though pat you run THE BEST site and thank you soooooooo much from the bottom of my heart!
Danny

[Pat Walter]

The spammers are not against hip resurfacing, it is a software program against websites that are often most popular. Surface Hippy is 2nd or 3rd on Google for hip resurfacing almost all the time.  Also Surface Hippy has been hacked 2 times in the past.  Over Christmas 2 years ago, I opened the site to find a big message on the front page saying "the website has been hacked - f**c You!"   

It takes a lot of effort to download special spammer software and tighten up the website with large, long complex passwords and other measures.  These people just get their kicks causing problems.  It is beyond me why - but why do people rob and murder?

GoDaddy had big time problem awhile back in 09/10/2012 . 

This is the info posted on a site about hacking:

"Members of the well-known online hacktivist group, Anonymous, have attempted a number of high-profile cyber attacks in the recent past. It seems that the latest to go on the list of their victims is the popular web hosting giant, GoDaddy.

According to the reports that are beginning to trickle in, GoDaddy has been attacked by an Anonymous member who goes by the Twitter handle AnonymousOwn3r. As a result of the attack, millions of GoDaddy-hosted websites are reportedly down. This person says that this is not an attack sanctioned by Anonymous as a group."

It is a constant battle to keep the website up and running properly.  Just part of the job of owning and running a website.

It is worth the effort since the website has helped so many people.  I will continue to fight the battle as long as I can.  Sometimes the hacking is complex and I could lose some data from the discussion group or website.  I keep everything backed up.

So keep posting and having fun.  I'll keep watch up on the cyber battleline.

Pat

[OtterDriver]

Dear Pat-

Sorry you have to deal with such nonsense.  I'm sure you have plenty of other things to spend your time and efforts on!  Just wanted to add my name to the list of those who are most thankful for you and your site.

Bruce

[patrick_d]

I echo Bruce's comments.  There may be a few folks on this forum that are IT surface hippies that might be able to give you some help/suggestions.

[Anna]

Thanks Pat! 

[Tin Soldier]

Totally agree about how much your efforts are appreciated, Pat.  I think everyone here agrees, also.  Thanks 

[Dan L]

Pat;

Thanks for all your efforts, they make a big difference every day.

I feel your pain; my job involves managing people and services to stop these b*stard spammers on an every day basis.  They never give up, although the prevalance of global spam is down the past couple of years since a Russian kingpin was shut down in 2011, there is a typical pre-holiday ramp up every year, which for us seems to have started this week as well.  Lots of stuff coming from Iran, which I have not seen in this volume in the past.  Makes you wonder.

Thanks

Dan