I Am A Human. Really, I am!

[Leader]

When I visit CARPOKES, I get this message. Why?
[Apple OS, T-Mobile 5G internet access]

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[Tom]

That's Cloudflare, an increasingly used thing on the internet. About 20% of all web traffic goes through Cloudflare these days, and that number is going up. We needed it because AI bots have discovered Carpokes and were effectively conducting a DDoS attack on the site (i.e., overwhelming it to the point of making it hard or impossible for real people to use). They use it to 'train" (i.e., steal our information for use in) their AI chatbots. I tried less drastic means, but Cloudflare is the only thing that really stopped them in their tracks. When the AI bots are on the site, they are not just browsing like a regular user, but rather 'screen scraping" the site -- meaning they are downloading every last page, post, and picture here. Before Cloudflare, we would have upwards or 3,000 bots doing that at the same time, resulting in several terabytes of bandwidth all at once. I try to turn Cloudflare off when humans are more likely to visit, but wasn't able to do that today due to other system updates I'm working on. Still looking for less noticeable solutions, but not super optimistic I'll find one.

[Leader]

Thanks for the explanation, Tom. It’s a shame that what should be a straightforward endeavor requires so much extra work behind the scenes to keep it available for its actual users.

[Tom]

Right? As if combatting spammers wasn't enough. I've been on a crash course over the last few years trying to fend off the seemingly endless parade of bad actors, but these bot attacks are beyond the ability of the forum software (and forum admin) to find off. Cloudflare does it with their own AI and a huge flow of data that helps them detect bots. I may look into their more sophisticated (i.e., more expensive) options too, as I understand they just get better and less obvious to users as you move up the ladder.

[PSU_Crash]

Security and better performance for a slight delay. I'm sold. I was also wondering why it would randomly get that when logging in. Thanks for the explanation!
Site seems to run MUCH better than other forums I'm on.

[Tom]

Security and better performance for a slight delay. I'm sold. I was also wondering why it would randomly get that when logging in. Thanks for the explanation!
Site seems to run MUCH better than other forums I'm on.

Well that's great to hear! We don't have the endless in-house tech support they have over at Big Media Inc., but on the other hand, we put the user experience above sponsors and profits.

I just turned Cloudflare off. If interested, you can watch the total users online climb at the bottom of the front page. When it gets up to a few hundred 'guests', I'll shoo them away with Cloudflare again...

p.s., Wait, you're on other forums?!?

[grasmere]

Actually really useful explanation Tom and thanks too from our side, protecting our data

[PSU_Crash]

p.s., Wait, you're on other forums?!?

Yeah... this 80s car addiction has been strong for 30 years, but this is the best one!

[WillyDaP]

Have been on Forums for right at 30 years and am still on a few , but this is easily where I go to hang with fun Porschephiles! Since this is a Porsche site maybe it should ask the question in German , " Bist du Menschlich ?" Check the box that says.................." Ja."

Great Forum, a high quality fun site where folks respect each other, are helpful and fun, and new friends are easily made!

[blueline]

Security and better performance for a slight delay. I'm sold. I was also wondering why it would randomly get that when logging in. Thanks for the explanation!
Site seems to run MUCH better than other forums I'm on.

Well that's great to hear! We don't have the endless in-house tech support they have over at Big Media Inc., but on the other hand, we put the user experience above sponsors and profits.

I just turned Cloudflare off. If interested, you can watch the total users online climb at the bottom of the front page. When it gets up to a few hundred 'guests', I'll shoo them away with Cloudflare again...

p.s., Wait, you're on other forums?!?

Up to around 650 at the moment this morning - they've discovered that Cloudflare is off and are in attack mode. They'll be tellin' thar pals matey!

And it's already slowing down Carpokes a bit.

AI bots are scrapin' and stealin' and absorbin' and processin' all in preparation for their worldwide takeover!! Lol. (Not lol?) Time for the Bot Firing Squad!

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