Wikipedia:Vandalbombing

Vandalbombing is the practice of getting together people to vandalize one page, in a short time span. It is very disruptive and potentially destructive, and usually renders the page in an un-viewable and un-editable state until someone comes to fix it.

When these vandals are blocked, they take the page protection down with it. This leaves a lasting effect on the page, of which many IPs and new editors can't edit the page due to the Vandalbombing. Usually, these Vandalbombings constitute an IP range block, or just the shutting down of a page.

Vandalbombing, and its effects

When an idea sparks, a "discord member", or just a group of friends, proposes to a group of friends to vandalize a Wikipedia article in synchrony. When they accept, all hell breaks loose for an article. RC patrollers race to the article to destroy the vandalism, admins are notified, it's a total mess.

Usually, an admin will come to the scene and block the vandals. They'll also protect the page and undo the edits of the Vandalbombing. This leaves the article un-editable by IPs, and also puts more stress unto the edit request page.

Vandalbombing is incredibly draining of Wikipedia's resources. RC patrollers get caught up in the bombings, distracting from other vandalization acts, leading to vandalization being up for more time. It also causes admins to be distracted from work that would improve the wiki. Editors would also get distracted from editing to fight the vandals. It affects Wikipedia as a whole.

How to stop it

See a Vandalbombing in progress? Report it immediately. Request protection on the page, and revert the vandals edits. It's as simple as that.

Don't vandalize. It's a waste of time and resources.