Spammer harvesting Rockbox forum emails (was: Don't want to be a bug but...)

[adam_skub]

I wish when new users are added that the email address is hidden...I have already got an email from an "AMANIE DOUDOU" and they got my email address from the Rockbox Forums...Here is the message

Letter of Relationship and Establishment Aid.
for Personal Attention and Confidential
From : AMANIE DOUDOU
Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire West Africa
Tel : +22507924282
For logistic reason contact me on e.mail:(doudu112@yahoo.fr)
Attention: Respectful,
Greetings and How are you today.I am AMANIE DOUDOU from Cote d' Ivoire in West AfricaI would like you to kindly permit me to apply through this medium for your co-operation  to secure an opportunity to invest and do joint relationship and business with you in your country. I got your contact address from  Rockbox Technical   Forums   Memberlist .
I have a substantial capital I honourably Inherited from my late father late Chief  EMILE BOUGA DOUDOU who was minister of Interior and deal in Cocao and coffee plantation Ivory Coast, Before the Epmigo rebels killed him recently in poltical crisis in our country that have resulted to war in some part of our region this past  years. I intend to invest this fund in profitable areas in your country into a very lucratives business venture of which you are to advise and execute the said venture over there for the mutual benefits of both of us.
Most especially is for you to help me come over to your base if possible for You be able co-operate with me to become my business partner in your country and create ideas on how  money will be invested, properly managed and the type of investment  after the money  is transferred to your custody with your assistance.
I inherited this sum from my late father  whom therebels killed because he was not supporting their selfish intrest to topple the president Gbagbo the present president.
Meanwhile, on indication of your willingness to  handle this transaction sincerely by protecting my Interests and upon your acceptance of this proposal. I would  furnish you with the full detailed information, procedure, amount involve is below and we shall  mutually agree on your percentage interest or share holding for helping me to secure the release of the deposit and investing the fund into a lucratives profitable venture in your care.It is the sum of Nine  Million Five Hundred Thousand Five USD $9.500.000USD  I shall be glad to reserve this respect and opportunity for you, if you so desire,but do urge  you to give the matter your immediate attention it deserves.I want you to be rest assured that everything is in order and legitimate it was due to the political crisis in our country that have resulted to war which cause everybody to find a way to get out the country, that make's me to use this medium to request for your assistance hoping that you will not let me down.
This fund is legitimately acquired by my late father from sales of cocoa and coffee and diamond dealings. Looking forward to your prompt response on e.mail:(doudu112@yahoo.fr)
 Faithfully
AMANIE DOUDOU

I now have lots ok spam messages like "SEXUALLY EXPLICIT"...I really dont want to be a pain, but im not sure if this person has an account here and if so please ban them.   I now have at least 5 spam messages I have NEVER got before just pop up.  Has anyone else had this message as well?

[Llorean]

There is an option to hide your email address.

[adam_skub]

There is an option to hide your email address.

ahh ok thanks...now i see it after some digging....although it sucks now cause i think im part of the spam list but thanks for telling me  

[Llorean]

I'm almost certain it is enabled by default. Anyway, as far as I know, nobody else has had such a problem with this. Are you sure they got it from our forums?

You have to be registered with the forums to even view profiles, so even in the case of un-hidden emails, something would have to sign up before it could harvest them.

[cool_walking_]

The email address appears in a mailto: link on your posts.  Guests can see that.  I haven't noticed an increase in spam since signing up here, though I did already get quite a bit anyway.

[Llorean]

Those as well do not show up if your email address is set to hidden.

[cool_walking_]

Maybe they should also be hidden for guests?

[Llorean]

Maybe, but they aren't. Registration is free. Anyone can register, and harvest all the un-hidden email addresses. It's your choice not to hide it.

[cool_walking_]

You mean there are actual human people going around harvesting email addresses??

I thought it was only bots... who the hell could be bothered with something like that?

[Llorean]

No, I mean, a bot can register then harvest them. We've had bots register to post spam messages in the past.

[cool_walking_]

Yeah but wouldn't a bot that can successfully register be much less common than one just plainly reading?

[Llorean]

Less common possibly. But it gives users a false sense of security, because we already know they do exist.

If you don't want your email visible: Hide it. It's that simple.

[adam_skub]

woow i didnt no there would be soo many replys, well it was my personal email address that i got this from and i didnt get anything in the Rockbox email...if that clarifies anything

[scorche]

Also, if you were concerned about your email address "getting out", you may want to remove it from being in plaintext in the ideal format (although I fear it is too late for that, as it has already hit Google).

[soap]

For what it is worth, at the time you asked the question, and before Llorean replied, your email address was hidden to me.