It seems like there has been some concern lately about spam and this site, I'd like to re-emphasize the info found in this sticky. Also, I'm going to list some things about the site and some things you can do to protect yourself and others from spam while using PMEL Forum.
1. If you look at your user information (My Account link on main menu), you'll notice a section for fake e-mail address. This is what is displayed in the member list area only if you opt to make your e-mail address public. Please go to this section and make sure that you edit it to something spam proof like joeblow AT isp DOT com.
2. The member list area is only available to registered users. Spambots don't register with sites, they only take information that they find in the search engines and run that site. They log any recognizable e-mail addresses that are available to them. The only portions that are available to unregistered users are the forum, the links, and the download sections. The only reason I make these available to unregistered users is for search engine inclusion.
3. Since the forum is about the only place they can really find usable information here at PMEL Forum, it is key that all users take steps to avoid becoming (or making someone else) a victim of spam. So when posting your or anyone elses address, please take the aforementioned steps to spam proof it. I will do my best to keep an eye out for this and correct it.
NOTE: At the time of this posting, PMELforum.com has not been indexed by any of the search engines, so I am pretty sure no spambots have visited us yet. This is something I keep a pretty close eye on. Also, since changing the administrator address I have not received any spam. (I foolishly did not protect the original address when I publicized PMELforum on other PMEL sites)
4. ALL data (user info, forum posts, private messages, etc...) is stored in a secure database on my hosts server. While I can't guarantee with 100 percent certainty that nobody could get into it, it would take somebody specifically hacking the site to get that info. This is not something that spammers will do to get addresses,and since our userbase is limited, hopefully that will not ever be an issue! (No, this is not a challenge to you would be PMEL hackers either...)
Bottom line is that I hate spam just as much as you and your user information is safe here. With a few simple preventative measures in the forums, we can avoid giving the spammers what they're looking for. I hope these alleviate any concerns that you may have about using PMEL Forum and if you have any more questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to ask me. Just send me a private message or drop an e-mail to administratorATpmelforumDOTcom.
Jesse
01-27-2021 -- 15:56:50
Total Members: 3471