Signatures are an important way for the forum to reward active and responsible members. Almost all of the forums that don't allow signatures with links are of a far lower quality. However, it is a privilege and not a right, and members should respect it. Members should be aware that links and comments in their signatures affect their reputation, and they should research any projects they are promoting, before they add them to their signature. Even better is to restrict yourself to the promotion of services and products that you actually use, and thus have some knowledge and experience of them.

Signatures are also used for political comments, and news reports that some members consider to be important. I think this is a useful benefit as long as it is used responsibly.

So what could be a viable alternative to a global ban? One possibility is the removal of signature rights from a member who is promoting a fraudulent product. If this ban was for 3 or 6 months, then just the threat of it could encourage members to research the sites they are considering promoting before adding them to their signature. That ban could be imposed across all known alts as well.