I setup a forum in 2006 for one of my sites. I never really marketed the forum so it never grew until I forgot all about it. This site is on auto-pilot so I don't make any updates to it.
Today I received an email warning that the site was at 80% it's bandwidth max. I was like no way. So I went to check it out and all looked well until I clicked on "forum". OMG. I've always wanted to have an active forum but not like this! It's spam bot paradise. They're posting p0rn pics and video clips and of course links. Everyday. Just today the 16th there already over 30 posts.
I consider myself net savvy when it comes to this type of thing but boy did I drop the ball on this one!
So, if you're setting up a forum-even if it's just to test things out-don't forget about it! It's your bandwidth.
Needless to say, I'm pulling the plug on my "popular" forum right now!
Popular forum, I got!