View Full Version : Security Testing - Blocking Webmail accounts (New Members Only)


Fed-X
05-16-2003, 01:39 PM
I have decided to look into a few options that we have to try and deter "idiots" (people looking for trouble here) from playing around at PTO.
As of this moment, I have basically blocked anyone with a known web mail account from Registering at PTO. That of course starts with Hotmail, Yahoo Mail and all the other popular and lesser known web mail sites.
The VAST majority of those who have come here with the intent to create problems have had hotmail or yahoo web mail accounts which can very easily be created. These anonymous accounts are a dime a dozen and have very little deterrence to those who register with them. On the other hand, people registering with their own ISP account are much less likely to get out of hand because you have an email account that they are paying for, and can be reached (or spammed) at.
This is only a test and I will probably run it for two days and see if there is a significant drop in sign-ups.
I am not all that comfortable using this security precaution because I myself had to use the public library to surf the net while I was in half-way house and would not have been able to register here without using a hotmail or other web mail account.
I'll post the results when I get them. Right now we are averaging around 20 new members a day without this system in place.
Thanks,
David

Fed-X
05-20-2003, 02:17 PM
New "New Member" registration rates are lower than previously but are still above 10 members a day. I have decided to continue with this and see how well it works out.
I am fielding quite a few emails from people asking why their email account has been blocked, but I reply to all of them and they should have no problem registering with their personal Internet Service Provider email account if interested.
More soon,
David