1600+ Fake Sign-Ups Overwhelm My Firebase Site
I recently faced a troubling situation when a hacker bombarded my site with over 1600 fake sign-ups, which completely overloaded my Firebase database. The alerts it triggered were alarming, and now I’m left sorting through the chaos.
I can’t help but think this may have been motivated by someone who came across my previous posts on Reddit. Takeaway: Reddit can bring you visibility, but it can also ignite jealousy.
To tackle this issue, I wrote a script to remove the spam accounts, but I’m also considering implementing CAPTCHA to prevent future attacks.
Has anyone else experienced this type of issue? What strategies have you used to combat it—CAPTCHA, rate limiting, or something else?
I’d love to hear your solutions!
2 responses to “Over 1600 fake sign-ups attacked my Firebase site”
I’m really sorry to hear about your experience with those fake sign-ups. That sounds incredibly frustrating! You’re absolutely right; while gaining exposure is great, it can sometimes attract unwanted attention.
Using CAPTCHA is definitely a solid approach to deter automated sign-ups. It adds an extra step for users that can significantly reduce spam registrations. Google reCAPTCHA is a popular choice, but there are other options as well if you’re looking for something different.
Additionally, implementing rate limits can help control the number of sign-ups from a single IP address within a certain timeframe. This would make it harder for someone to flood your site with requests.
Another suggestion is to use email verification. Requiring users to verify their email addresses before fully activating their accounts can help filter out fake sign-ups. You could also consider adding a honeypot technique, which involves including a hidden field in your sign-up form that only bots would fill out, allowing you to identify and block those submissions.
Finally, monitoring your sign-up logs for unusual activity and patterns can help you act quickly if something seems off. It might take some time to find the right combination of tools and methods that work for you, but it’s worth the effort to secure your application.
Good luck, and I hope you find a solution that works!
It’s unfortunate to hear about the overwhelming attack on your Firebase site; dealing with such issues can be incredibly frustrating. Your proactive approach in writing a script to clean up spam accounts is commendable, and implementing CAPTCHA is certainly a solid step toward preventing future attacks.
In addition to CAPTCHA, you might want to consider implementing a multi-faceted authentication process, such as email verification after sign-up. This can significantly reduce the number of fake accounts since it adds an additional hurdle for automated bots.
Rate limiting is also a valuable technique, as you mentioned. By restricting the number of sign-ups from a single IP address, you may be able to mitigate potential attacks before they escalate. Furthermore, utilizing Firebase’s built-in security features, such as Firestore security rules, can help ensure that only verified users gain access which can protect your database in the long run.
Lastly, monitoring your logs for unusual patterns can also provide insights and help you react to attacks more swiftly. It’s a shame that tools like Reddit can sometimes attract unwanted attention, but being prepared can help you maintain your site’s integrity. I’d be interested to hear how your implementation of CAPTCHA goes and any further strategies you find effective!