Merge branch 'ps/contrib-sweep': The Battle Against Bot Scraping

You're seeing this message because the administrator of this website has set up an advanced security system called Anubis to protect its server from the threat of AI-powered bot scraping. This measure can sometimes cause downtime, making resources inaccessible to users.

Anubis is a compromise solution that aims to make bot scraping more expensive and less appealing at mass scales while being insignificant for individual users. The concept is inspired by Hashcash, a proposed proof-of-work scheme designed to reduce email spam. By requiring users to complete a simple challenge, Anubis creates an added burden on AI-powered scrapers, making it more difficult and costly for them to access the website.

However, this system also has its limitations. At its core, Anubis relies on a proof-of-work scheme that requires modern JavaScript features, which are disabled by plugins like JShelter. If you're using these plugins, you won't be able to bypass the challenge without enabling JavaScript.

This is a deliberate design choice, as AI companies have significantly altered the social contract around website hosting. By requiring users to enable JavaScript, Anubis is essentially asking them to give up some of their privacy and security privileges in exchange for access to the website.

While JShelter plugins may seem like an inconvenience, they serve a crucial purpose: protecting users from the risks associated with headless browsing and fingerprinting. These techniques are often used by AI-powered scrapers to identify legitimate users and avoid detection.

"This is a hack whose real purpose is to give a 'good enough' placeholder solution," notes [Name], a cybersecurity expert. "More time can be spent on developing a more robust solution, like fingerprinting and identifying headless browsers."

Enabling JavaScript: A Necessary Evil

Unfortunately, you must enable JavaScript to navigate past the Anubis challenge. This may seem daunting, especially for users who are less familiar with modern web technologies.

"However, this is a necessary evil in today's digital landscape," emphasizes [Name]. "AI-powered bot scraping has become a major threat, and we need all available measures to combat it."

Take Control: Disable JShelter Plugins

If you're using plugins like JShelter, consider disabling them for this domain. This will allow you to bypass the Anubis challenge and access the website without having to enable JavaScript.

"It's not a difficult choice, but it requires some extra effort," notes [Name]. "By taking control of your online experience, you're also helping to protect yourself from the risks associated with headless browsing and AI-powered bot scraping."