Notification

Error

Not everything is as it appears. 🤔

Email this conversation Print this conversation
User
Posted 15 Apr 2026 at 05:13

For those who are unaware, this forum is increasingly being used by trolls.

They usually quote a post which they've edited to contain a gaming link and make an apparent caring but completely insincere  reply.

I've reported many.

Here are a few replies which have all been preceded by quoted posts in which they've tried to hide gaming links.

"Reading this is very stressful psychologically because even a small change in PSA levels can cause a lot of worrying, especially after having surgery. Do you have any methods to help you stay calm while waiting for the test results, or are you mostly just enduring this feeling on your own?"

"Really appreciate the work you’re doing. It’s great to see efforts focused on improving communication and feedback for research participants. I’ll take a look at the survey."

"This sounds like a great event for a really important cause. Love that there are different route options for everyone too—makes it more accessible. I’ll definitely check it out and consider signing up"

 At first glance they appear to be kind and supportive posts but are really just an abuse of the forum.

Do not be fooled by these shysters and report them. 👍

User
Posted 15 Apr 2026 at 05:13

For those who are unaware, this forum is increasingly being used by trolls.

They usually quote a post which they've edited to contain a gaming link and make an apparent caring but completely insincere  reply.

I've reported many.

Here are a few replies which have all been preceded by quoted posts in which they've tried to hide gaming links.

"Reading this is very stressful psychologically because even a small change in PSA levels can cause a lot of worrying, especially after having surgery. Do you have any methods to help you stay calm while waiting for the test results, or are you mostly just enduring this feeling on your own?"

"Really appreciate the work you’re doing. It’s great to see efforts focused on improving communication and feedback for research participants. I’ll take a look at the survey."

"This sounds like a great event for a really important cause. Love that there are different route options for everyone too—makes it more accessible. I’ll definitely check it out and consider signing up"

 At first glance they appear to be kind and supportive posts but are really just an abuse of the forum.

Do not be fooled by these shysters and report them. 👍

User
Posted 17 Apr 2026 at 05:45
I tend to check in most mornings at about 05:30 and often report one or two. Next time I check in they've been removed.

Reported two this morning

Cheers

Bill

User
Posted 15 Apr 2026 at 09:06

and I have noticed that many of these sham posters have only the one post and that it is 'responding' to a genuine post of some time back

User
Posted 16 Apr 2026 at 11:23

I know very little about IT. Can anyone explain to me why people are trying to disrupt the forum with these hidden gaming links. How are they benefitting? 

As I've said, they usually try add these gaming links to links in legitimate posts and the quote the edited post.

I haven't been on many other forums. Is it usual to be able edit the posts of others?

Perhaps, as the forum is apparently going to be updated, it might be an idea, to prohibit anyone attempting to edit someone else's post?

Most of the regulars on here are able to spot bogus posts/posters. However, newcomers, will not be so savvy. I think we should do our best to deter the weirdos who think its okay to try and benefit from those looking for help.

User
Posted 16 Apr 2026 at 18:12

The reason for creating the posts with these dodgy links is to mislead the Google algorithm.

Google will increase its trust in a site by looking at who is prepared to link to it. So if a gambling site is linked to from a site called "We_sell_dodgy_links.com" Google will consider the dodgy link site to be of low value and any site it links to to be low value. However if a site is linked to from a prestigious site such as BBC.com, the Financialtimes.com, then Google will assume the prestigious site and any sites it links to are high value, it will then promote those at the top of its search list.

Prostatecanceruk.org was considered a prestigious site by Google. Threads about ED are very credible.A link from one of these threads, looks like an endorsement for an ED treatment by prostatecanceruk.org. Eventually Google realises that these links are no more valuable than those from "we_sell_dodgy_links.com" and it no longer considers the linked sites worth promoting or the site (prostatecanceruk.org) providing the dodgy links to be worth promoting.

Dave

User
Posted 16 Apr 2026 at 11:44

I think it's cash for clicks mate. What a despicable way to try and trick people into clicking the links. Scumbags!

Thanks for the heads up 👍

User
Posted 16 Apr 2026 at 12:13

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
Adrian, very good points , perhaps get rid of the "quote" option

Hi Chris.

I think you could still have a quote facility but adapt it so that any quotes in a post cannot be edited. So the only part of a post that could be edited is the bit you've typed and not any quotes that you've used in that post.

It peeves me that have often used my posts, edited them with gaming links, then quoted the amended version. The present set up allows legitimate posters to be used by these ne'er-do-wells, which can't be right.

Late edit. I've just reported another bogus post. They quoted a legitimate post which they'd edited with a gaming link, disguised in a long row of tiny green dots. They then added this supposedly supportive reply. 

I really appreciate you sharing this, and I can understand why the day-to-day impact of urinary side effects would be a major concern—I know I would be thinking the same way in your position. While I don’t have personal experience with focal therapy, I think hearing from others and taking time to weigh each option carefully is so important

It's becoming more frequent, more disruptive and more annoying. 

Edited by member 16 Apr 2026 at 13:10  | Reason: Late edition.

Show Most Thanked Posts
User
Posted 15 Apr 2026 at 09:06

and I have noticed that many of these sham posters have only the one post and that it is 'responding' to a genuine post of some time back

User
Posted 16 Apr 2026 at 11:23

I know very little about IT. Can anyone explain to me why people are trying to disrupt the forum with these hidden gaming links. How are they benefitting? 

As I've said, they usually try add these gaming links to links in legitimate posts and the quote the edited post.

I haven't been on many other forums. Is it usual to be able edit the posts of others?

Perhaps, as the forum is apparently going to be updated, it might be an idea, to prohibit anyone attempting to edit someone else's post?

Most of the regulars on here are able to spot bogus posts/posters. However, newcomers, will not be so savvy. I think we should do our best to deter the weirdos who think its okay to try and benefit from those looking for help.

User
Posted 16 Apr 2026 at 11:44

Adrian, very good points , perhaps get rid of the "quote" option, unlike Facebook the posts on her are in chronological order, it would need a little more effort with replies for example. 

Adrian, further to your post 16 Apr 2026 at 11:23 , you are quite right.

I suppose they could still use copy and paste,then add a link.

Thanks Chris 

 

Edited by member 16 Apr 2026 at 11:46  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 16 Apr 2026 at 11:44

I think it's cash for clicks mate. What a despicable way to try and trick people into clicking the links. Scumbags!

Thanks for the heads up 👍

User
Posted 16 Apr 2026 at 12:13

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
Adrian, very good points , perhaps get rid of the "quote" option

Hi Chris.

I think you could still have a quote facility but adapt it so that any quotes in a post cannot be edited. So the only part of a post that could be edited is the bit you've typed and not any quotes that you've used in that post.

It peeves me that have often used my posts, edited them with gaming links, then quoted the amended version. The present set up allows legitimate posters to be used by these ne'er-do-wells, which can't be right.

Late edit. I've just reported another bogus post. They quoted a legitimate post which they'd edited with a gaming link, disguised in a long row of tiny green dots. They then added this supposedly supportive reply. 

I really appreciate you sharing this, and I can understand why the day-to-day impact of urinary side effects would be a major concern—I know I would be thinking the same way in your position. While I don’t have personal experience with focal therapy, I think hearing from others and taking time to weigh each option carefully is so important

It's becoming more frequent, more disruptive and more annoying. 

Edited by member 16 Apr 2026 at 13:10  | Reason: Late edition.

User
Posted 16 Apr 2026 at 18:12

The reason for creating the posts with these dodgy links is to mislead the Google algorithm.

Google will increase its trust in a site by looking at who is prepared to link to it. So if a gambling site is linked to from a site called "We_sell_dodgy_links.com" Google will consider the dodgy link site to be of low value and any site it links to to be low value. However if a site is linked to from a prestigious site such as BBC.com, the Financialtimes.com, then Google will assume the prestigious site and any sites it links to are high value, it will then promote those at the top of its search list.

Prostatecanceruk.org was considered a prestigious site by Google. Threads about ED are very credible.A link from one of these threads, looks like an endorsement for an ED treatment by prostatecanceruk.org. Eventually Google realises that these links are no more valuable than those from "we_sell_dodgy_links.com" and it no longer considers the linked sites worth promoting or the site (prostatecanceruk.org) providing the dodgy links to be worth promoting.

Dave

User
Posted 17 Apr 2026 at 05:45
I tend to check in most mornings at about 05:30 and often report one or two. Next time I check in they've been removed.

Reported two this morning

Cheers

Bill

User
Posted 17 Apr 2026 at 07:39

Cheers Bill.

I've reported a couple this morning, may be the same as the ones you've reported. There's also a very suspicious post that, as yet does not contain a gaming link, but will probably be edited with one at a later day.

It's getting to the stage, especially during the night, when there are no moderators on line, that were getting more bogus posts than genuine ones.

Edited by member 18 Apr 2026 at 07:23  | Reason: Typo

 
Forum Jump  
Email this conversation Print this conversation

Join the online community now.

Click through to become a member and gain access to support, information and real time replies.




MenuTop ▲
©2026 Prostate Cancer UK