Misleading SSA Web site stats

GreenMachine · June 11, 2012, 02:26:40 PM

A general FYI bulletin (may be posted elsewhere, but oh well!)

I have been working diligently this year on curbing all of the nuisance overseas data mining on our Web site. So if you don't see 220 people logged in every morning as it has been since SSA inception, you now know why.

Occasionally one will still get through and I'll audit their behavior to see what it is they're doing on our site. Almost always, when one of these guys sign up they immediately start searches and browse around member profiles to see if there are E-mail addresses & phone numbers or other personal information they can harvest.

Rest assured, as for the 'begged question' of whether or not I audit active members, the answer is no. I don't care where or what you're doing on the site and I have enough to keep my mind occupied that I don't need any of that nonsense.

...I'm just happy you're an active member and participating in our over-valuing of all things sport bike.

GreenMachine · February 21, 2013, 06:08:18 PM

Had some spare time and did some quick stats on all the overseas data mining going on with the SSA forum. The current rate of blocks is ~400,000 per year. Over 50% of those originate from China. Obviously, they want our member's phone numbers and E-mail addresses and whatever other personal information they can capture. Those are confirmed attempts at scanning the SSA site annualized, where the spidering server was denied.

I would project that at least that many attempts are successful.

Therefore, if you have old posts that contain your personal information, please feel free to edit and remove such content. PM would be a far more secure option, when corresponding with members.

I'm working with Oldbolt to update the Web site software. The new version comes with administration tools which are significantly more powerful than the basic ones we currently have at our disposal. I anticipate that the new software will also change the look and feel of the Web site, something I'd prefer to remain the same. Tapatalk is one feature I would love to implement for you guys/gals too.

Therefore, I encourage you to voice your desired SSA site upgrades here. And know that the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

dub · February 22, 2013, 08:23:46 AM

My two wishes are Tapatalk and different skin/theme options. I prefer dark text on light back ground.

GreenMachine · February 23, 2013, 12:31:19 PM

Quote from: dub on February 22, 2013, 08:23:46 AM
My two wishes are Tapatalk and different skin/theme options. I prefer dark text on light back ground.

The latter is actually an option we have with the current version. I didn't like it though. It didn't just change the theme colors, it changed the whole appearance and organization of the site.

Thanks for the input Dub. That'll be the direction we'll go then.

Team Gorgonzola · February 27, 2013, 12:54:09 AM

I just want more time to ride....I know..I know.

GreenMachine · March 06, 2013, 01:48:14 AM

Quote from: dub on February 22, 2013, 08:23:46 AM
My two wishes are Tapatalk and different skin/theme options. I prefer dark text on light back ground.

Shouldn't be long now Dub.

dub · March 06, 2013, 07:54:34 PM

Using Babylon now. Not bad, not bad.

GM · March 07, 2013, 09:10:06 AM

Want to try TapaTalk now? It's installed, but I may not have its directory permissions quite right at the moment.

dub · March 07, 2013, 10:22:08 PM

No results for sierrasportbike.com

GreenMachine · March 08, 2013, 07:46:18 AM

$:-\$ Thanks for trying. I don't have the app on my phone, otherwise I would just test it myself. Too cheap to pay $2.99.

Maybe I'll ask the SSA gods for funds. See how old-fashioned I am? Shameful!

It's been a while since I've done UNIX permission mods. I know what commands to give, but I don't know how to get to where I can apply them. I'll put some more effort into it and let you know.

BTW, how do forums appear on TapaTalk? On a TapaTalk list of available servers or do you still have to direct TT to www.sierrasportbike.com?

GreenMachine · March 09, 2013, 08:01:07 AM

And I have done nothing. Must be some kind of advertising application. Dunno. Went to our site on my iPhone and it popped up asking me to buy the application. $2.99. Forget it!

dub · March 16, 2013, 01:26:49 PM

When I try to log on from work it says "Sorry dub, you are banned from using this forum!" Works fine from home and mobile.

When I pointed my phone to sierrasportbike.com I got the pop up that says tapatalk is available for this forum. But I still can't find it when I search with every iteration I can think of inside tapatalk.

GreenMachine · March 17, 2013, 07:32:52 AM

Dub,

Next time you're at work, go to Speedtest.net. On that screen, without testing anything it'll tell you your IP address. PM or post the leftmost number only when you get a chance and I'll clear the ban. So if it's 183.66.24.12, just post 183. Appears I have one or more bans that are too aggressive.

Thanks for the update.

n10sive · March 17, 2013, 09:11:57 AM

Holy cow GM, if you are banning by the first number (Class A) that is REALLY aggressive LOL

GreenMachine · March 17, 2013, 09:18:42 AM

Just trying to stay a step ahead of the, now 80,000,000 data mining BOT servers thrashing the heck out of the Internet. It's crazy! I've given up on being nice about it, basically banning any address I see that isn't sourced in California, Nevada or Wichita, KS (AT&T mobile).

So far, only one complaint.