Bleeping Computer uses a report system for posts. When used, it will notify all moderators, global moderators and admins that a registered member has reported a topic, a post or a member via their forum profile.
The moderating team does make an effort to keep up with daily forum activity, but we simply cannot be everywhere at all times. There are many more forum members than members of the moderating team. We rely on the membership at large to be our auxiliary eyes and ears, and you may find something that requires our attention before we do.
If you need to draw something to our attention, the REPORT function should be used. The link to make a report is in every post, toward bottom right side.
We really appreciate your assistance in helping us keep Bleeping Computer a pleasant place to be, and making a report when necessary really helps us in doing so.
In order to clarify reasons for reporting, and assist you in creating reports, here are some guidelines to consider:
1) Spam
The majority of the time, what is spam is obvious. When reporting obvious spam simply put "spam" as the reason for the report.
If the spam is posted by a serial spammer (one who makes multiple spam posts in rapid succession) report only one of the posts. It is easy for the moderating team to find all other spam posts made by a serial spammer.
Please do not use the Report Member function in a spammer’s member profile to report them. It is easier to dispatch with them via a report of one of their posts.
There are times it may not be obvious to the moderators why a post has been reported as spam. In this case please give a short explanation why you consider it spam. We need to know why you consider it spam.
Spam does not always have to be in the body of a post; it can also be in the form of a link in a signature. Also links to web pages or blogs not related to the topic at hand are sometimes spam. Any of these may be reported with your reason for reporting them.
2) Misplaced Malware Removal Logs/Misplaced Malware Posts/Other Misplaced Posts
Here at Bleeping Computer the Virus, Trojan, Spyware & Malware Removal Help forum is dedicated to what its name states.
If you suspect you may be infected, your first post to that forum should be prepared following these instructions:
Preparation Guide For Use Before Using Malware Removal Tools and Requesting Help
If you encounter malware logs or a post asking for malware removal assistance OUTSIDE of those two forums, please REPORT the misplaced post. Please do not suggest starting a new topic in one of the malware removal forums. We will move misplaced posts where they need to go. Do not reply to offer malware removal advice on the misplaced topics. If you wish to do so, please wait until you see it has been moved to the correct forum.
For a misplaced post not related to malware removal or logs, simply report it with your suggestion regarding where you think it belongs. You can rest assured it will be moved to the appropriate venue.
3) Trolls
While we do not get many reports with Troll as a reason for reporting, it does happen every once in a while. If you believe someone is a troll, please give reasons why you think that. This will help us determine if there is any merit to the claim.
4) Flaming/Baiting/Insults/Arguing, etc.
These should absolutely be reported but do state why you are reporting it as such.
5) Irrelevant/False/Inaccurate Comments/Harmful Advice and Links
For false and inaccurate comments, whether real or perceived, refrain from responding, "Ignore the information given above". Please offer correct information in as courteous a manner as possible. Use references as necessary to illustrate your point. In doing so, you assist the original poster and let the helper know why you believe his/her advice is incorrect.
If you believe the advice given is illegal, extremely unethical, or outright dangerous to the member seeking help, then report the post immediately. As part of your report, definitely include what you believe problem with the advice is. If it is truly dangerous you can point out why you believe that to be the case in a reply. Please be respectful when refuting dangerous advice/suggestions as this makes your advice more likely to be accepted. Many of our members do not know what will or will not harm their systems. In an effort to resolve their issues they will try anything.
6) Duplicate posts
We all have those occasions where our browser is misbehaving and we hit the "Post" button again, thinking our message didn't post, but it did and you end up with the same message one right after the other. You might also stumble across an instance where someone else has done it. Also, there are times when someone is desperate for assistance and they post the same topic and/or message in multiple forums. Since BC takes a "one computer, one problem, one forum" approach, those should be reported, too. Please include duplicate in your report.
7) Questionable topics of other sorts
These should be reported. Always include your comments as to why the topic should be reviewed.
Some General Advice About What To Do After Submitting a Report
Please do not reply in a topic that you reported saying you did report it. Also do not post threatening to report something; just quietly report it.
There are times when a report has no merit or is not actionable. The member who posted the message you reported may have done nothing wrong (or at least nothing that we can take action on) but will wonder what was so bad that his/her post was reported. In these circumstances things have the potential to “get ugly,” and we’d all prefer to avoid that.
There will be times when you want to report a post that might not fit into any of the above categories. As with the others we need you to include the specific reason, not something vague that we then have to ask you about.
Following these guidelines will help the moderating team as we review the reported posts to decide what action, if any, will be taken.
Not every reported topic or post will be subject to staff action. There are times when judgement calls are made, particularly if we feel we need additional material from the potentially offending member to decide on a course of action. Some material does not warrant moderator intervention at time it was reported but may after a pattern has been established.
Edited by britechguy, 10 October 2018 - 07:04 PM.
Removed reference to now defunct "Am I Infected?" forum and corrected title of Malware Removal Help
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