Originally posted by Blue Screen of Dea†h:

From a programming point of view, any solution that is not a complete solution is a waste of time and resources. Adding multiple filters or conditions just obfuscates the problem.

This topic is getting repetitive.

The only solution I see is blocking from display any links that are not whitelisted, thus not even the really clueless people - those that would still type letter by letter a wrong link in the address bar - would have their account hijacked.

Good suggestion but blacklisting every website, even if innocent, seems like a huge consequence. Nevertheless, the site is for trading, not for sharing youtube videos. I guess we'll have to see what happens.

Originally posted by P4-R4:

Originally posted by BloodMan:

That would greatly inhibit trading for new users who are not scammers; we can't assume that they won't have much to trade. It's difficult enough trying to compete with well-established traders on outpost.

What links would new users need to post?

"Would you accept this offer? *links to trade*"

Anyways, this method won't prevent scammers from phishing as they would be able to post some links until they level up, which they could do by spamming comments or whatever on a fake post. The point is to stop them entirely.

Originally posted by P4-R4:

Why not just make a system like, for example, a level system for users. Levels could be determined by length of membership, comments, hearts, trades, etc. And for every level you would be able to post more links within a time period, like 24 hours or so. New users have hardly any need to post links and older and more experienced users will have a greater need.

That would greatly inhibit trading for new users who are not scammers; we can't assume that they won't have much to trade. It's difficult enough trying to compete with well-established traders on outpost.

I should have been clear that the phishers that this system is trying to target are scammers like these: http://www.tf2outpost.com/user/379027

Phishing through hijacking is a problem that a prerequisite system or any system Edit:"can't" prevent. There could be one, but it sounds highly unlikely or too complicated for use.

Anyways:
1. Read 'More Edit'
2.You'd be surprised by how much a prerequisite system can have an impact on deterring many scammers. I'm sure you've heard of Steamtrades.com. In my 6 month-experience I've never encountered a phisher on that website; I'm mostly encountered with impersonators (which is a different issue like hijacking) and those who beg me to go first in a key trade, but never a phisher.
3. As I should have said, this method of phishing is for those who have minimal to no funding in their scamming efforts; it's not that hard to create a phishing link and a brand new steam account.

1. The prerequisite can be to have at least one tradeable item in your inventory (Haven't been on the f2p side of TF2 long enough to fully understand the trade system, correct me if I'm wrong).
2. I guess it'll come down to the programming skills in preventing f2p players that don't meet the criteria to trade on the TF2 side of outpost. OR, the prerequisite could be to have one tradeable item in TF2 or Dota 2. Although this would have minimal effect, it'll have SOME effect. Baby steps.
3.I Highly doubt that scammers will be willing to pay for accounts that will be banned after several posts with minimal success. As for hijacking, that's another rare issue.

One of the main reasons why this phishing problem has become so rampant on outpost is due to the EASE with which a phisher can make a brand new account and get right back on to phishing. If you guys could add on some pre-conditions, it could act as a huge deterrence.

More Edit: Yes, items can be traded from the phisher's main account to the new account. However, I highly doubt that they would want to risk losing their main account as the main account gets marked on the item's history.

I'm not sure if this has been suggested, but I'd like to throw in my 2 cents.

What if a sort of criteria could be placed in for new traders to outpost? For example, I believe you require $100 worth of games (correct me if I'm wrong) in your account to begin trading on Steamtrades.com. What if the prerequisite to trading on outpost was to have TF2 Premium? Almost all of these scammers (at least from my experience) don't have any games on their account, let alone having even made their profile page.

Pulp Fiction.