Why Webmail Email Addresses Might Not Be Accepted For Registration. Options

[Dogpages]

Some while ago this board was seeing a large volume of spammers using automated 'bots' attempting to register. The number of attempted registrations by spammers was averaging around 20 or more a day. If they successfully registered, the bots tried to make posts with links to sites containing pornographic or other content not appropriate for a site used by all ages.

Preventing registration using the free email addresses most commonly used by the spammers has successfully addressed the problem and prevents the vast majority of spammers using automated systems from registering and posting.

We realise this may cause some problems for some users but does benefit the majority. Most ISPs offer their customers email accounts. If you have problems we suggest you use a work email address or even a one spare one supplied by a relative.

Update March 2010.
We put in place other methods for deterring spammers some while ago which seem to have been effective and so have been able to relax restrictions on some webmail addresses. There may still be restrictions on those addresses that tend to be favoured by spammers.