Dealing with trolls

[bonnielunawalker]

We've had some issues over the past days with trolls (one guy in particular). I've thought of some potential solutions.

The first is making supplying a Steam profile a prerequisite for applying for USEC. We could state on the application page that all applications without a Steam profile will be automatically rejected. This will add another layer of complexity to trolling efforts, and allow us to more easily see who is serious about joining. This morning, I mistakenly rejected an application from a friend of a member because I thought he was a troll. A Steam profile would make it easier to identify repeat trolls.

The second is simply giving recruiters TeamSpeak moderator privileges. Being a recruiter, I obviously have a vested interest here, and it's totally UCOM's call, but it would certainly make dealing with trolls considerably easier.

[MattLightfoot]

I'm happy on both, what's your take @Jezalenko ?

[Omnirock]

Not sure if this was the troll or not, but there was a user named "Jet Fuel Doesn't Melt Steel Beams".

[bonnielunawalker]

Very likely the same guy we've been dealing with. He keeps using VPNs to bypass TS bans. It's actually pretty impressive the efforts he's going to.

[SyMP2005]

Good ideas imo.

[ghost]

Looks like you're a TS mod once again @BrynWalker. I also agree with the Steam profile, however we're also going to need to verify that profile somehow, to prevent him from putting in anything to get the profile to work.

[bonnielunawalker]

The Steam alias he was using was "Streamy". I guess for the next few
days/weeks we double check all steam profiles to see if any of them were
once called Streamy. No doubt if he tries again he'll rename his account.

On Fri, Apr 3, 2015 at 6:31 PM, Stark notifications@github.com wrote:

Looks like you're a TS mod once again @BrynWalker
https://github.com/brynwalker. I also agree with the Steam profile,
however we're also going to need to verify that profile somehow, to prevent
him from putting in anything to get the profile to work.

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[jonpas]

I can make the Steam ID required, meaning it won't let you put in the application if it's not filled out, can also limit it to 17 characters (probably) as Steam IDs are.

[bonnielunawalker]

Awesome, sounds great JJ! I'll assign you :)

[jonpas]

I made an internal ticked in Website repository, I am not dealing with trolls, thank you! :D

[bonnielunawalker]

Fantastic, thanks!

[ghost]

I also spoke to my brother who works in IT last night - a novel solution could be using a cookie modified from a targeted advertising role to track users. If the troll changes IP address, we can still block them based on their unique cookie. Thoughts?

[SyMP2005]

I like it @Jezalenko,

I thought for trolls joining teamspeak, as they would be civilians, maybe we can set a minimum rank requirement of PVT to join other channels? The troll will be stuck in lobby then when he joins.

[bonnielunawalker]

Good plan. The only downside I see is that if a civvie who actually wants
to become a member joins and there's no admin on to move him to the mess,
he'll be stuck there and won't be able to talk to anyone.

On Sat, Apr 4, 2015 at 7:54 PM, Rory notifications@github.com wrote:

I like it @Jezalenko https://github.com/jezalenko,

I though for trolls joining teamspeak, as they would be civilians, maybe
we can set a minimum rank requirement of PVT to join other channels? The
troll will be stuck in lobby then when he joins.

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[SyMP2005]

I do believe that these days there is almost always a 2IC / senior member with TS mod around. I wouldn't worry too much about that.

[MattLightfoot]

I think we should set minimum rank to everything apart from lobby, the mess and recruiting. So if some knob joins everyone just jumps down to another channel. Whereas if it's a recruit they can jump right in.

[bonnielunawalker]

Sounds reasonable, as long as we have an adequate Lobby description or
welcome message telling people which channels they can join if they're not
members.

On Sat, Apr 4, 2015 at 11:14 PM, MattLightfoot notifications@github.com
wrote:

I think we should set minimum rank to everything apart from lobby, the
mess and recruiting. So if some knob joins everyone just jumps down to
another channel. Whereas if it's a recruit they can jump right in.

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[jonpas]

I also spoke to my brother who works in IT last night - a novel solution could be using a cookie modified from a targeted advertising role to track users. If the troll changes IP address, we can still block them based on their unique cookie. Thoughts?

Our website doesn't use any cookies at all: http://www.usecforce.com/privacy.asp
We are allowed to use them apparently though, but I have no idea how to work with cookies or anything.

I agree with restricting less than PVTs to only those 3 channels. And what Bryn said, proper notice for them.

[Omnirock]

I agree with the TS restrictions, there really is no reason for guests to have access to much more than the lobby.

I know the mess hall is sort of an off-topic channel, but I'd rather not have potential "guests" come in and mic spam or start streaming music or whatever sort of nonsense people come up with.

On cookies:

• How does this work if your browser is set to delete cookies on exit?

• Third Party cookies blocked?

• Cookies not accepted at all in settings?

• Browsing with a mobile device that rarely uses cookies anyway?

  I really don't see it as much of a solution, or worth the effort in implementing it.

The Steam verification process should be more than enough to keep but the most dedicated trolls out. Having to create e-mails AND Steam accounts just to sign up to Troll isn't worth the effort for most people.

More information on the Steam API and OpenID sign can be found here:
http://steamcommunity.com/dev

[jonpas]

We could use PHP OpenID, but our website still runs almost fully in ASP. For starters I was thinking simply add Player ID to the application (that's basically Arma 3 ID which is equivalent to Steam ID64) and check if it's 17 characters long. Then later on we can do a check through OpenID I guess.

BTW, Steam ID that is currently in the application and profiles is NOT the Steam ID I am talking about here. The on on application is basically just a link to the Steam profile (custom profile URL which can be set on Steam), it might be better if we rename that. Right now on the website they are distinguished as Steam ID = custom profile URL and Player ID = Arma 3/Steam ID number.

[Omnirock]

Curious, how many developers do we have in USEC familiar with ASP?

[jonpas]

None. 😁
It's me and Paul primarily trying to do shit with it.

[MattLightfoot]

trying and succeeding so far 🌴

[bonnielunawalker]

Yep, I saw what looked like someone from another group attempting to join
TS today. No doubt he was another guy trying to steal members. He got stuck
in the Lobby and gave up ;)

On Tue, Apr 7, 2015 at 4:21 PM, MattLightfoot notifications@github.com
wrote:

trying and succeeding so far [image: 🌴]

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[MattLightfoot]

Which group do you know bryn, RG or CIA? as they could have been looking for me mate

[bonnielunawalker]

It may have been CIA, I didn't really take note of the name I'm afraid.

On Tue, Apr 7, 2015 at 4:29 PM, MattLightfoot notifications@github.com
wrote:

Which group do you know bryn, RG or CIA? as they could have been looking
for me mate

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[bonnielunawalker]

Just saw him on the online TS tracker again, his name was SSGT A.Reign.
Ring a bell at all?

On Tue, Apr 7, 2015 at 5:23 PM, Bryn Walker brynwalker1@gmail.com wrote:

It may have been CIA, I didn't really take note of the name I'm afraid.

On Tue, Apr 7, 2015 at 4:29 PM, MattLightfoot notifications@github.com
wrote:

Which group do you know bryn, RG or CIA? as they could have been looking
for me mate

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[MattLightfoot]

This is McClean chap he's one of us just wrong TS name

[bonnielunawalker]

Ah, okay, makes sense now :P

On Wed, Apr 8, 2015 at 6:17 PM, MattLightfoot notifications@github.com
wrote:

This is McClean chap he's one of us just wrong TS name

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