Spam filtering

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  1. Spam Filtering

Spam filtering is a critical process in maintaining the integrity and usability of any collaborative platform, and MediaWiki is no exception. This article provides a comprehensive overview of spam filtering in the context of MediaWiki, aimed at beginners. We will cover the problem of spam, the various techniques employed to combat it, configuration options available in MediaWiki 1.40 and beyond, and best practices for effective spam prevention. Understanding these concepts is vital for administrators and editors seeking to protect their wiki from unwanted and potentially harmful content.

What is Spam?

In the context of a wiki, “spam” refers to irrelevant, unwanted, or malicious content posted by users, often with the intent to promote external websites, products, or services. It can manifest in several forms:

  • **Linkspam:** The most common type, involving the insertion of numerous links to external websites, often unrelated to the wiki’s content. These links are typically promotional in nature.
  • **Textspam:** Irrelevant or nonsensical text, often containing keywords designed to improve search engine rankings for the spammer's website (a technique known as SEO spam).
  • **Image Spam:** Uploading images with embedded links or promotional content.
  • **User Account Spam:** Creation of numerous fake user accounts used to post spam or manipulate discussions.
  • **Redirect Spam:** Creating redirects that point to external websites.
  • **Talk Page Spam:** Posting spam on discussion pages, disrupting legitimate conversations.
  • **Malicious Spam:** Content containing viruses, malware, or phishing attempts. This is the most dangerous form of spam.

Spam degrades the quality of the wiki, wastes the time of editors who must remove it, and can damage the wiki’s reputation. It can also negatively impact search engine rankings for the wiki itself.

Why is Spam Filtering Important for MediaWiki?

MediaWiki’s open and collaborative nature makes it particularly vulnerable to spam. Anyone can create an account (depending on the wiki's configuration) and contribute content, which provides opportunities for spammers. Effective spam filtering is crucial for:

  • **Maintaining Content Quality:** Preventing irrelevant and low-quality content from cluttering the wiki.
  • **Protecting User Experience:** Ensuring users can easily find and access valuable information without encountering spam.
  • **Preserving Wiki Reputation:** Maintaining the credibility and trustworthiness of the wiki.
  • **Reducing Administrative Burden:** Minimizing the time and effort required to manually remove spam.
  • **Security:** Preventing the spread of malware and phishing attempts.

Techniques for Spam Filtering in MediaWiki

MediaWiki employs a multi-layered approach to spam filtering, utilizing a combination of techniques. These can be broadly categorized into preventative measures, automated filters, and manual review.

  • **CAPTCHAs and Account Creation Restrictions:** CAPTCHAs (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart) challenge users to prove they are human before creating an account. This helps deter automated account creation by bots. Account creation can also be restricted to registered, confirmed users only. See Extension:ConfirmEdit for more details.
  • **Blacklists:** Blacklists contain lists of words, phrases, URLs, email addresses, and IP addresses that are known to be associated with spam. When content containing blacklisted items is submitted, it is flagged or blocked. MediaWiki utilizes several blacklist mechanisms:
   *   **`$wgSpamRegex`:** A PHP regular expression used to detect spam-like patterns in edits.  This is a powerful tool for identifying subtle spam attempts.
   *   **MediaWiki:Spam-blacklist:**  A wiki page where administrators can add URLs, domain names, and other patterns to be blocked. This is the primary method for maintaining a blacklist.
   *   **Global Blacklist:** A centralized blacklist maintained by the MediaWiki community, available to all wikis.
  • **Anti-Spam Extensions:** Several extensions enhance MediaWiki’s spam filtering capabilities. Some popular options include:
   *   **SpamProtection:** Provides advanced spam protection features, including CAPTCHA integration, blacklisting, and reputation-based filtering. [1]
   *   **AbuseFilter:**  A highly configurable extension that allows administrators to define rules to detect and prevent abusive behavior, including spam.  It can analyze edits for patterns, keywords, and other characteristics. [2]
   *   **TitleBlacklist:** Blocks the creation of pages with specific titles, preventing the creation of spam pages. [3]
   *   **ConfirmEdit:** Requires edits from new or unregistered users to be approved by a trusted user. [4]
  • **Rate Limiting:** Limiting the number of edits a user can make within a specific timeframe can help prevent spam campaigns. This can be implemented using extensions or server-level configurations.
  • **Edit Review:** Requiring edits from new or unregistered users to be reviewed by experienced editors before they become visible to the public. This is a manual process, but it can be very effective. See Editing guidelines for best practices.
  • **Reputation Systems:** Tracking user activity and assigning reputation scores. Users with low reputation scores may be subject to stricter scrutiny or restrictions.
  • **External Spam Databases:** Integrating with external spam databases (e.g., Spamhaus, StopForumSpam) to identify and block known spam sources.
  • **Machine Learning (Advanced):** More sophisticated spam filters utilize machine learning algorithms to identify spam based on patterns and characteristics. This requires significant technical expertise and resources. [5]

Configuring Spam Filtering in MediaWiki 1.40

MediaWiki 1.40 provides several configuration options for controlling spam filtering. These are primarily managed through the `LocalSettings.php` file and the `MediaWiki:Spam-blacklist` page.

  • **`$wgSpamRegex`:** Modify this variable in `LocalSettings.php` to add custom regular expressions for detecting spam. Be careful when modifying this variable, as incorrect expressions can block legitimate edits. Example: `$wgSpamRegex = '/(http|https):\/\/example\.com/';`
  • **`MediaWiki:Spam-blacklist`:** This page is the central location for maintaining a list of blocked URLs, domain names, and other patterns. Use the `#` symbol to add a new entry. For example: `#http://spammysite.com`
  • **`$wgRateLimits`:** Configure rate limits in `LocalSettings.php` to restrict the number of edits a user can make within a given timeframe.
  • **Extension Configuration:** If you are using spam filtering extensions, refer to their documentation for specific configuration instructions. AbuseFilter, for example, requires defining rules using a specific syntax. See AbuseFilter documentation.
  • **CAPTCHA Settings:** Configure CAPTCHA settings in `LocalSettings.php` to adjust the difficulty and behavior of CAPTCHAs.
  • **Account Creation Settings:** Control account creation restrictions in `LocalSettings.php`, such as requiring email verification or administrator approval.

Best Practices for Effective Spam Prevention

  • **Regularly Update Blacklists:** Spammers are constantly finding new ways to bypass filters. Regularly update the `MediaWiki:Spam-blacklist` page with new spam URLs and patterns. [6]
  • **Monitor Recent Changes:** Keep a close eye on recent changes to identify and remove spam quickly. Utilize tools like Special:RecentChanges and watchlists.
  • **Use Anti-Spam Extensions:** Install and configure appropriate anti-spam extensions to enhance MediaWiki’s spam filtering capabilities.
  • **Educate Editors:** Inform editors about the signs of spam and encourage them to report suspicious activity. See Reporting spam.
  • **Implement Edit Review:** Consider implementing edit review for new and unregistered users.
  • **Configure CAPTCHAs:** Use CAPTCHAs to deter automated account creation.
  • **Monitor Logs:** Review MediaWiki’s logs to identify spam activity and track the effectiveness of your spam filtering measures.
  • **Stay Informed:** Keep up-to-date with the latest spam techniques and trends. [7]
  • **Consider a WAF (Web Application Firewall):** For high-traffic wikis, a WAF can provide an additional layer of protection against spam and other attacks. [8]
  • **Analyze Spam Patterns:** When you identify spam, analyze the patterns used by spammers to improve your filters and blacklists. [9]
  • **Utilize Threat Intelligence Feeds:** Integrate threat intelligence feeds to gain access to real-time information about malicious URLs and IP addresses. [10]
  • **Implement Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):** Encourage users to enable 2FA to protect their accounts from unauthorized access. [11]
  • **Regularly Back Up Your Wiki:** In case of a successful spam attack, having a recent backup will allow you to quickly restore your wiki to a clean state.

Advanced Techniques & Resources

For more advanced spam filtering, consider exploring:

  • **IP Blocking:** Blocking specific IP addresses that are consistently associated with spam.
  • **User Blocking:** Blocking users who engage in spamming activity.
  • **Custom AbuseFilter Rules:** Creating custom AbuseFilter rules to detect specific types of spam.
  • **Server-Level Filtering:** Implementing spam filtering at the server level using tools like mod_security.
  • **Honeypots:** Setting up honeypots to attract and identify spammers. [12]
  • **Behavioral Analysis:** Analyzing user behavior to identify suspicious patterns. [13]
  • **DNSBLs (DNS Blacklists):** Utilizing DNS blacklists to block known spam sources. [14]
  • **WHOIS Lookup:** Checking the WHOIS information of domains used in spam links. [15]
  • **Analyzing HTTP Headers:** Investigating HTTP headers for suspicious activity. [16]
  • **Analyzing URL Structure:** Identifying patterns in URL structure that indicate spam. [17]
  • **Investigating Redirect Chains:** Tracing redirect chains to uncover the final destination of spam links. [18]
  • **Monitoring Social Media:** Tracking social media for mentions of your wiki and identifying potential spam campaigns. [19]
  • **Utilizing API for Automation:** Leveraging the MediaWiki API to automate spam detection and removal tasks. [20]
  • **Investigating Log Files:** Analyzing server and MediaWiki log files for clues about spam activity. [21]
  • **Bot Detection Tools:** Employing specialized bot detection tools to identify and block malicious bots. [22]


By implementing these techniques and following best practices, you can significantly reduce the amount of spam on your MediaWiki wiki and ensure a positive user experience. Remember that spam filtering is an ongoing process that requires vigilance and adaptation.

Help:Spam protection Manual:Configuration Extension:AbuseFilter Extension:SpamProtection Special:AbuseLog Special:BlockIP Special:UserBlock Reporting spam Editing guidelines AbuseFilter documentation

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