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Topic starter
05/07/2025 11:39 am
ROBOTS that sign on to the Internet and the Diecast Zone?
When we are asked to "log in/sign in" to the Diecast Zone, we have to check a box that says "We are not a Robot". Seems to be a silly question and just an added unnecessary step to let us get in.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
05/07/2025 11:58 am
ROBOTS that sign on to the Internet and the Diecast Zone?
When we are asked to "log in/sign in" to the Diecast Zone, we have to check a box that says "We are not a Robot". Seems to be a silly question and just an added unnecessary step to let us get in.
LOL! No, there aren't. But that step helps to keep the spammers and scammers out.
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
05/07/2025 12:28 pm
Fair enough. But it's hard to imagine what might be provoking the system into suddenly questioning our humanity. Last week, when I was posting my modified '55 Olds concept car and replying to comments, I had to do a fresh login 5 times in a row and get through 8 or 9 Recaptcha puzzles (mainly due to my genetic inability to reliably identify fire hydrants and motorcycle handlebars). I thought Recaptcha was a thing of the past, but there you are, it has suddenly reared its ugly head again.
I was accessing from the same PC as usual, Windows hadn't been updated and my Firefox browser hadn't been updated so why I was suddenly "forgotten" by the system I can't imagine.
And to post this reply today I had to tick "I am not a robot" but mercifully there was no attempt to Recaptcha me this time!
To be fair, weeks can go by without this happening, then suddenly the anti-robot police are out in force again.
This post was modified 10 months ago by Graeme Ogg
Graeme.M. Ogg
London U.K.
05/07/2025 12:29 pm
...as John noted, "robot protection" greatly helps to minimize potential riffraff. A.I. programs, sneaky software, and robots are ALL out there. I don't think we'll ever truly know exactly what Forum security prevents.... but I'm glad it's there! 😀 😀
John Kuvakas and Tony Perrone reacted
05/07/2025 12:34 pm
I have had similar issues. What I find most annoying is that the Remember Me input does not work that well. It seems I must login now a lot more frequently than in the past.
Ed Davis
Inverness, Illinois, USA
05/07/2025 12:40 pm
Concisely and precisely put. I've deleted about a handful of spammers over the last several months - posting commercial nonsense when the 'robot check' was not in use. And I can vividly remember, many years ago on the original D4C, having to fight off the spammers posting smut and filth.ROBOTS that sign on to the Internet and the Diecast Zone?
When we are asked to "log in/sign in" to the Diecast Zone, we have to check a box that says "We are not a Robot". Seems to be a silly question and just an added unnecessary step to let us get in.
LOL! No, there aren't. But that step helps to keep the spammers and scammers out.
These things digitally roam websites for easy access and then alert humans to peddle their wares to those unprotected websites. I only have to check in when I have rebooted or shut the computer down. Other than that I stay logged in. I'm not sure if that's a browser thing or not. I use Chrome.
Ed Davis and Christopher Moroni reacted
05/07/2025 12:51 pm
"I only have to check in when I have rebooted or shut the computer down. Other than, I stay logged in. I'm not sure if that's a browser thing or not. I use Chrome."
Same here Tony. When I don't reboot or power down, I'll remain logged in for weeks at a time - or so it seems. I do not use Chrome.
John Kuvakas and Tony Perrone reacted
05/07/2025 1:11 pm
@graeme-ogg Graeme; I thought Recaptcha was one of the Star Wars characters.....or was it Backatcha? I dunno......transport me back to 1955 someone...please!
Topic starter
05/07/2025 2:18 pm
ROBOTS that sign on to the Internet and the Diecast Zone?
When we are asked to "log in/sign in" to the Diecast Zone, we have to check a box that says "We are not a Robot". Seems to be a silly question and just an added unnecessary step to let us get in.
LOL! No, there aren't. But that step helps to keep the spammers and scammers out.
Sorry John, but your answer doesn't make sense (to me). If a person wants to log in, whether they are a spammer/scammer, doesn't prevent them from entering. All they have to do is check the box, "I'm not a robot" and they're in, just like you or me are.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
Christopher Moroni reacted
05/07/2025 2:21 pm
The CAPTCHA is based on an algorithm. What you're not seeing is that there has been a new spate of phony or false registrations. Most of them have to be manually removed. These are just some of the things that happen behind the scenes to make the site a safe place to visit. However, when the site is subjected to multiple attempts to register or hack, for whatever reason, it reverts to ID verification for some users. Combine that with your browser settings, which can change without your knowledge due to an unseen update, and you may find yourself having to sign in again. All this explains why some of us need to ID ourselves and some don't. Like Tony, I usually only have to sign in after I have restarted. Still, to prove my point, I had to log in again after a recent massive Chrome update.
In short, there are times when the site is protecting us and other times when our browser is the problem.
We can disable the CAPTCHA. But that would allow the spammers and porno purveyors free access to the site.
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
Topic starter
05/07/2025 2:24 pm
"I only have to check in when I have rebooted or shut the computer down. Other than, I stay logged in. I'm not sure if that's a browser thing or not. I use Chrome."
Same here Tony. When I don't reboot or power down, I'll remain logged in for weeks at a time - or so it seems. I do not use Chrome.
I am the only in our home that uses MY computer, so I don't usually power down or reboot often. Sometimes I'm logged in to the Diecast Zone for week and other times I've got to "log in" every day and sometimes more than once in a day. It's annoying! And the "Remember me" obviously doesn't work either. Regarding what I use, it's CHROME.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
Ed Davis and Christopher Moroni reacted
05/07/2025 2:30 pm
ROBOTS that sign on to the Internet and the Diecast Zone?
When we are asked to "log in/sign in" to the Diecast Zone, we have to check a box that says "We are not a Robot". Seems to be a silly question and just an added unnecessary step to let us get in.
LOL! No, there aren't. But that step helps to keep the spammers and scammers out.
Sorry John, but your answer doesn't make sense (to me). If a person wants to log in, whether they are a spammer/scammer, doesn't prevent them from entering. All they have to do is check the box, "I'm not a robot" and they're in, just like you or me are.
Most, not all, of the spammers and scammers are robots. There is not one guy sitting in front of his console trying to get into the Diecast Zone. It's usually a team of people running a variety of programs on multiple sites, maybe thousands at a time. When they manage to gain full access to one, their screen lights up, and they then program pre-written posts with either links or tracking pixels embedded in the text. The links lead to data mining sites where other programmers try to find personal information that you thought was secure.
Think about the last time you saw a strange ad or prono link on a Zone board. You don't see them because of features like CAPTCHA and the moderators monitoring new listings. If someone does get through, one of us closely examines the text in a new post, looking for hidden links. That poster is then blocked.
It may not make sense to you, George, but this is what keeps the site safe. We could always use help if you have a few hours to spare each day.
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
05/07/2025 7:35 pm
The Bot will get its "are you for real" question answered when Will bitch slaps him upside the head.
This post was modified 10 months ago 2 times by Jack Dodds
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