this post was submitted on 19 Mar 2025
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Hey peeps, the well-known spam problem in lemmy DMs is getting slightly worse, and the spammer in question is evolving their tactics to evade the very rudimentary options we have built-in to lemmy itself (or should I just call it,non-existent?). To get ahead of this, we deployed a DM-scanner directly in the DB, based off of this code but adjusted so that it's more difficult to pull off shenanigans.

At the moment we're only deleting messages based on the "fediverse chick" spam. However I want to point out that if for some reason you legitimately DM someone on dbzer0 with similar terms, you DM might get deleted, so do be aware about that. Them's the breaks.

Unfortunately I can't reveal the exact code I'm using atm, as this can lead to the spammer adjusting their tactics to evade it. However I plan to adjust threativore to also be able to manage your DB anti-DM-spam filters in the future, to make it much easier to handle this, even if you don't feel confident touching your DB. Stay tuned.

I do hope we get more robust anti-spam tech in lemmy and I did open two issues about this, but it seems this is not a prio atm.

If you realize that the anti-spam ate a DM. Do let us know. If you see spam getting through, also let us know.

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[–] [email protected] 71 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

apolgy for bad english

where were u wen nicole die

i was at house eating dorito when phone ring

"Nicole is kil"

"no"

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

truly was “the Fediverse Chick”

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 weeks ago

The fediverse dude from pyongyang will vindicate her name in the history books.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 weeks ago

I will miss her😓

[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 weeks ago

Once again, you’re the goat. Thanks for all the work you put in to keeping this instance a pleasant one to use.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 weeks ago

Good work again Db0!

Unfortunately I never got my Nicole DM and now I'll forever live my life without one 😭

[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)
[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

when were you when spam legend dies?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago

We should now send each other exact Nicoles DMs ...

[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

DM aren't end-to-end encrypted, so they aren't a good way to send private messages.

I'm using a different instances, but I'd rather admin just turn them off for the time being.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I mean, DMs on Lemmy are between strangers, I don't really see the need to use e2e encryption. Its not like you are talking with a friend. What you say to a stranger should be considered public anyways.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago

Yeah, also they're a good way to privately (that is, not in the comments of a public post) exchange another communication channel

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Seems like the new spam technique is sending it as an image rather than text:

Spam screenshot.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

Yes, I need to find the time to adjust for this somehow.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

When does the instance update to 0.19.10? It adds the ability to delete all banned users dms

[–] [email protected] 15 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

That literally got announced today >_<

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I understand it can't happen immediately lol dw, just asking. Thanks for hosting this instance(ツ)

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 weeks ago
[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I'm out of the loop: what happened with this Nicole?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

This template was going around a lot of instances, then when it got moderated out of existence, shifted to direct messages.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

does she ever suck your balls

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

oh, yeah, I received the same message 6 dyas ago :D forgot about it already

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I aM NiCoLe bUt YoU CaN cAlL me FEDIVERSE MOST ANNOYING BITCH