"Banned for Spam"...?

[21TonyK]

Anyone give me any pointers on this one. Some time ago I joined a forum and happily contributed and learned a few things for several months until...

"OOPS! WE RAN INTO SOME PROBLEMS.
You have been banned for the following reason: Spam. Please contact the administrator if this was done in error.."

When I contacted the admin they said they were receiving spam from my IP address. Reinstated the account then banned me again a few days later.

Now AFAIK I have a dynamic IP which changes at least every couple of weeks as my router gets powered on and off by kids for whatever reasons.

Could it be some sort of virus? My laptop is a locked down Windows 10 work machine with Avast Antivirus. Not experienced this on any other forum, website or anything else.

[Pericoloso]

Your kids have your login for that forum ?

[21TonyK]

Nope and its a niche professional chefs forum (US based). Never had any issues on anything elsewhere.

[Funky Squirrel]

Do you use a VPN?

[21TonyK]

Nope, straight forward connection.

[FourWheelDrift]

21TonyK said:

Nope and its a niche professional chefs forum

Banned for , come on you must know how snobby some of these chefs can be.

[21TonyK]

Gromm said:

What I think they mean but failed to convey properly is that something off topic is either posted on that forum or PMed/DMed/emailed directly to its members/admin from your forum account.

If you’re using a very weak password like - 1234567 someone could’ve guessed it and using your account without your knowledge to post some unrelated content on that forum. which got them pished off. Perhaps a good idea to change password and see if problem persists? Or may be they just do not like what you post there

Edited by Gromm on Saturday 21st December 17:18

I've a feeling you might be right. The password is pretty "good" so not guessable but I did get the impression new comers were not welcome if they contradicted more established members. Like a lot of sites members are rated by length of membership and voted for by peers.

However, it was/is a very useful forum and as a member of at least half a dozen similar sites it does seem a little odd.

[21TonyK]

FourWheelDrift said:

21TonyK said:

Nope and its a niche professional chefs forum

Banned for , come on you must know how snobby some of these chefs can be.

Oh believe me... they're not. Might be part of the problem

[NewChurch]

Is there any reason you're using Avast over Windows Defender?.

Personally, i'd delete Avast and use Windows Defender and Malwarebytes.

[21TonyK]

Antivirus is a dictated by work IT as are apps etc. However, I do have the admin password if needed.

[Spare tyre]

Re join with fresh cookies login, but only use your smartphone hotspot to see if same occurs

[Sheepshanks]

Contradicting chefs on a US forum? Hmmmm....I can’t think why that might be a problem.
.

[21TonyK]

I just re-registered and am "awaiting approval by an administrator"

Reading the board as a guest it really does seem that a few key people (mods) are so far up their own asses if anyone dares challenge their "advice" then all their "supporters" wade in and shoot you down.

Oh well, if I'm deemed to be undesirable I'll just kick around here.

[Sheepshanks]

21TonyK said:

...and shoot you down.

I work with Americans - they do not take criticism well. They're probably raging because they can't actually shoot you.

[dudleybloke]

They are jealous of your easy access to real cheeses.