User blog:LostInRiverview/Update regarding the wiki lockout

{|style="border: 2px solid green; -moz-border-radius:10px; -webkit-border-radius:10px; border-top: 5px solid green; border-bottom: 5px solid green;" width="650px" align="center" Hello Simmers. As a member of the administrative team, I would like to thank our unregistered contributors for being patient with us during our recent lockdown. We would like to remind everyone that everyone - registered and unregistered - are welcome on The Sims Wiki (as long as they follow the rules), and that the positive edits of our unregistered users are greatly appreciated.

What happened?
About a day ago, the wiki experienced a sudden 'spam attack' from a user utilizing proxy IP addresses to evade local IP blocks. This essentially means that no member of our administrative team could prevent this individual from creating spam content, because the user would simply change their IP address and range whenever blocked. The Volunteer Spam Task Force (VSTF) was contacted and one of their members temporarily 'semi-protected' all pages on the wiki, preventing any unregistered contributors from editing. This protection expired earlier today without incident, and we are now up to full functionality.

What now?
Right now, wiki administrators are keeping a close eye on the situation. If this spammer should return, VSTF will be contacted again and another wiki lockdown may be necessary. Please note that we wish to avoid that outcome, but we will take all steps necessary to ensure that our wiki remains spam-free, clean and orderly for our readers, even if that means seeking another lockdown. If such an event should occur, expect notices through the Community Corner and the Main Page.

I want to re-iterate, because I think it bears repeating, that most unregistered users make good contributions to the wiki. It is truly unfortunate that one or two bad apples can spoil the editing experience for our many wonderful contributors. We are wholly committed to ensuring that this wiki remain open for anyone who wishes to improve it.

Thank you for your patience throughout this process.

--  LostInRiverview talk · blog 21:19, January 30, 2012 (UTC)
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