Private Message Spam: The Hidden Message Board Problem

Are you new to posting on forums or thinking of starting your own message board? Now may be a good time to find out how to protect yourself or your members from hidden spam. Spam can come in many forms, one of which is PM spam. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when dealing with private message spam.

What is PM spam? PM spam is a hidden form of spam because it is sent through private messages in forums. This type of message often requests that the unsuspecting member complete a survey, visit a site, click on a link, or respond to the message in some way. PM spam can also just be an advertisement for a product. This last type may read very much like any ad. What, at first glance, may seem like an innocent request for help, could actually be PM spam.

Why do people send PM spam? A spammer’s goal is usually to either get clicks on a link or get some type of information from the people that get the messages. People who send spam through private messages often do so hoping to bypass spam filters that administrators have in place. Since private messages are hidden from public view, it can be hard to detect the inappropriate messages and ads. Spammers take advantage of the privacy aspect to lull members into a sense of security.

Members don’t usually realize that the message they get is a mass PM, a private message sent to multiple people. The recipient can often feel flattered and secure when someone asks for help. PM spammers depend on the fact that their request seems harmless and that the member will be inclined to “help” them.

What can members do? The most important thing you can do, as a message board member, is educate yourself about spam and basic online safety. Remember that it’s up to you to stay safe. If you don’t know someone who has sent you a private message, the safest thing to do is to ignore the message and its contents.

Beyond using safety strategies, there may be several options open to you. Depending on the forum software and the site administrator, you may have the ability to block private messages altogether or just block messages from certain people. If none of these options is available, you may want to notify a forum moderator of PM spam. This notification will help to ensure that the appropriate action is taken.

What can administrators do? As a forum administrator, one of the best things you can do to fight spam, PM spam in particular, is to build an active and knowledgeable moderator team. Mods and members are your front line defense as far as keeping your site spam-free. Encouraging teamwork between these groups will benefit everyone. With the appropriate training and support, your mods can catch and address anything that slips by your spam filters and software.

Take advantage of all the spam-fighting options your forum software offers. These may come as built-in options or as plug-in. Your software may allow you to add a list of banned or blacklisted email addresses, urls, and IPs. Be sure to educate yourself on the use of these blacklist features. Blacklisting certain IP addresses can block an entire country’s ability to access your site. Use these features sparingly and wisely.

It is wise to educate yourself and others about all forms of spam. Education is the key to protecting yourself and your site from inappropriate posts and private messages. When you combine education with teamwork and technology, you cut the chances of getting PM spam to a minimum.