Blacklist not working

https://www.tamba2.org.uk/wordpress/spam
You’ll need more than a few words I’m afraid – click the link on that options page and copy everything that is listed on the wiki page.

Already did that…

‘Already did that….’ ?
You are using plugins aren’t you ?

I’m having the same problem. Occasionally, a piece of spam will make its way through the combination of blacklist and kitten’s spam words. And I’m really getting hammered by spammers lately…it’s not uncommon for me to wake up and find 150-200 pieces of spam being held for moderation and a few (usually only 2-3) that have slipped through the cracks.

Try some other preventative measures here: https://www.tamba2.org.uk/wordpress/spam/
If these comments are appearing immediately after you post, https://www.tamba2.org.uk/wordpress/spam/#seven will help stop them, and https://www.tamba2.org.uk/wordpress/spam/#imm will show how to delete the spam that may all ready be in your database.

blockquote
‘Already did that….’ ?
You are using plugins aren’t you ?
/blockquote
What? I already put in the suggested list of spam words… no plugins.

Please, please, please, please, please, please, please read my post above yours. That’s probably exactly what you’re experiencing. If not, there are other anti-spam techniques there. Is it that difficult to click on one more link?! Sorry if this seems a little rude, but there’s been a rush of individuals such as yourself who apparently don’t have the time to read all of the posts or click external links. If you don’t have the time for that, then try to think about everyone else, putting out the time to help you.

WP Blacklist (https://sm.farook.org/WPBlacklist.htm#wpblacklist) seems to be working for me. There is a version specifically for WP 1.2. I am using it now and it’s finding and killing all this “casino” spamming that’s been hammering my site. You could use Kitten’s Comment Spam killer (https://mookitty.co.uk/projects/?Comment_Killer) but it is the scud missile of comment spam killers and not for the faint of heart. I’d use that as a LAST resort. But do get WP Blacklist and use it. When you install it, you have an opportunity to import Jay Allen’s blacklist.txt which is the grandfather of spam lists. Use that and don’t forget to go into your Options/Discussion section and add your own words if necessary, besides the list that is pulled up automatically for you.
(You didn’t say what version of WP you are using, but I will assume 1.2 or 1.2.1.)

Joni: I suppose that I shouldn’t really complaint about the plugins, in the end. What seems to be happening is that spammers are leaving comments with no links in them and with random quotes and whatnot. I’m used to this.
What’s really irking me at the moment is that the spam all gets held for moderation (which is what both of the plugins do). I’d just rather have it deleted unless it comes from a known-good IP or name. Kitten’s Spam Words offers a nice little “invert checkbox selection,” which makes everything easier, but manually selecting 200 pieces of spam for deletion is a real pain.
Does Kitten’s comment killer delete the spam? I’ve not tried it yet.
Cheers

One suggestion. On new installations, PLEASE do not have the system default to submit entries to a blog index!! This sent a ton of spam my way. Those indexes are just like an invitation for spam. As soon as I posted my first entry, within 24 hours I had dozens of adult spams, and they continue to pour in. Folks, disable this immediately when you install and before you add an entry!

Maybe I missed it, but can you completely turn off comments? If so (hope so!) how?

(last) Anon: yes, you’ve missed. Options > Discussion… Uncheck the “Allow people to post comments on the article” checkbox.