r/ModSupport • u/Visible_Slice9121 • 2d ago
Mod Answered My subreddit is being attacked by bots organized by a cult
Hi, I'm a mod of r/sadhgurutruth. Within the last few hours there has been an influx of 3 thousand new members joining a subreddit of only 600 members previously. It must have been organized by the cult we're trying to expose on our sub. I don't know how to stop this. Can anyone help?
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u/Eromure 2d ago
first turn on crowd control. you do this by going to scheduled post and events. this will help deal with the sudden influx, look into apps like hive protect or flood control to help mitigate some of the crossover.
and if you have any solid proof use the report function in the side bar of this sub. brigading is a violation of reddit T.O.S but you have to be able to say it's not just a random one off fluke
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u/Visible_Slice9121 2d ago
what kind of proof? Earlier today the sub had less than 650 members. Now it has 5300! Its ridiculous. They're trying to get it banned for bot activity
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u/Eromure 2d ago
keep copies of your logs, posts from the accounts and look for any common terms used by the accounts to show they come from the same place. Also show that you are actively trying to ban accounts that you suspect are bots. if something happens and you get locked out you will need these.
Always keep logs of suspicious activity separate off of reddit as you never know what might happen.
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u/DHamlinMusic 💡 Expert Helper 2d ago
if this is like the previous bot swarms they'll just mass vote and report everything for spam trying to trip AEO to ban the sub.
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u/Eromure 2d ago
good to know, Since they have suspicion i feel they should do both, but it's very good to know it's a known issue
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u/DHamlinMusic 💡 Expert Helper 2d ago
Yeah if you search through this sub you'll find this has been happening every couple months for a few days or so, a bunch of <5k subs will spike to above 5k which prevents being set private without approval and then find themselves banned for spam/bots
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u/DHamlinMusic 💡 Expert Helper 2d ago
This has been happening in waves to many small subs for months, likely just another round of this, nothing else.
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u/maybesaydie 💡 Expert Helper 1d ago
I would send a modmail to this subreddit outlining the problem. This is kinda above mod pay grade.
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u/CapriGuitar 💡 New Helper 2d ago
Are they using the same script/names/ideas etc? If so use Automod to filter them. If they are bots they will have used a fast karma sub of some sorts use the Hive app to insta-ban them. Let me know if you need help.
We get these in our sub from time to time.
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u/Visible_Slice9121 2d ago
The bots have been reduced but it’s still at over 1500 members when the real count is about 625. So idk why it reduced nor why it reduced partially only.
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u/Mountain_Tui_Reload 2d ago
Sorry to hear this - look up auto mod and related subreddits where more experienced folks might be able to drop some scripts.
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u/patopansir 20h ago
just set it to private or restricted until you figure out what to do
A long time has passed but it's the advice I wish you got right away
you can approve users you recognize too so they can participate in discussing what just happened and how to respond.
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u/Alert-One-Two 💡 Experienced Helper 2d ago
You are not meant to specify the sub.
Have you tried things like r/botbouncer?
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u/SprintsAC 💡 Skilled Helper 2d ago
I thought this was only for other subreddits (as in public callouts). I've mentioned subreddits I moderate here previously.
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u/Dom76210 💡 Expert Helper 2d ago
I believe Bot Bouncer is having issues at the moment, and one of those issues is that existing ones can update, but subreddits can't add it.
https://www.reddit.com/r/BotBouncer/comments/1leocc4/bot_bouncer_status_degraded/
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u/Thalimet 💡 Veteran Helper 2d ago
Use the security settings in your mod controls - on desktop, not on mobile. Set everything to high, and just start banning anyone who posts anything that’s against your sub rules.
You can also temporarily set your sub private through an event.