Yesterday, I talked about how spam really ticks me off. In that rant, I suggested you use HTACCESS to block the offending IP’s and even added a link for you to use a code generator.
Now today, I figured we’d build on that, by showing my Excel Worksheet, which really does help me fight these pricks. The problem is, gathering the IPs from these creeps, and while Akismet will list the IP’s of the spam, that is all it does.
( see my list of blocked IP addresses )
You have to mine them, or dig them out, then convert them into the proper syntax or code, for your file. I mean, the spammers seem more automated than we are, but screw it, I hate ‘em and refuse to let them win.
Sometimes I get carried away, but honestly I am trying to keep things simple. The more work I have to do, the less I seem to get done. So, to begin with, you really do need a good spreadsheet program, if you are serious about being a webmaster.
That said, I use Excel. I use a ‘worksheet‘ for fighting spam, in my main ‘workbook‘. If you are unfamiliar with the terms, better start reading up on them.
I set up Three Columns. One is the column with the appropriate HTACCESS CODE, that includes the IP address. The second column lists the raw IP address, without any added code. THESE ARE THE IPS I AM BLOCKING.
The third column is my list of IP ADDRESSES that I have to block. They are devoid of any added code as well.
The column, labeled Raw IPs, is the one I will sort, then find any duplicates, automatically, which reduces the size of IPs that have to be added. Make sense?
You will also notice, on the yellow bar, I have a URL which is the one for the htaccess generator ( it is free to use, by the way ) so that it is always handy for me. No need to look it up in my favorites & that saves me a minute or two. Actually, in my case, it saves me longer, as I am a real bookmark addict.
I have two columns, with the raw data, for a simple reason. At a glance, I know if I need to add to my existing file, and secondly, I can easily copy the IP’s to input into the generator, and they are all sorted, duplicates removed.
The reason for having a ‘to add’ column, is that at times, there may only be one or two IPs. I am lazy, and well, to go through all that work for that little, isn’t very productive. Now, that doesn’t mean I wait till there are a hundred, but generally I will go through the process, once I have collected at least a dozen or so IPs. A quick glance, will tell me when it’s time to do this, plus, it gives me a place to record those single ones, until I am ready.
I simply copy the code generated, to use in column one. I do that, to use as a double check, if needed, of my htaccess file. It also makes it easier to add to the file, at a later date.
Having the raw data column, allows me to sort and remove duplicates. Okay, it allows Excel to do it for me, which is why that list, is all the IP’s I have mined from my logs. Sorting is simple, using the Excel Sort feature, as is removing the Duplicates.
This means, I dont have to worry about which IP to copy, from the raw logs. I just copy them all, then let the program do it’s thing, once I have added them to the master Raw List.
Once I have done that, and adjusted the htaccess file, THEN & ONLY THEN do I removed them from the third column. Until the file is built, uploaded, do I then delete the list under ‘TO ADD“.
Apr 10th by Malcontent