Anti-Spam Options for vBulletin 3.8.x

[alpha128]

I know I haven't been a member here very long, but even in that short time it has become apparent to me that only a few of the 247,217 forum "members" are actual human beings who post here.

I did a cursory search and found some anti-spam options for this site's forum software that might help:

Spambot Stopper - Prevent Spambots from Registering

Fassim Anti Forum Spam

[Jan]

Thanks for the thoughtfulness, Alpha.

Naturally, it's up to DougO what he wants to do as far as bots/spammers but since cleaning up the spam if they post is my job, I have to say I'm very happy with the 'honey trap' (I think that's what it's called) set-up we have now. Just speaking for myself, I don't care if bots register as long as they don't disrupt the forums. I think since the trap was put in place we've had fewer than a handful of spam postings and those were all 'members' who'd joined before it was in place. Before that it was upwards of 300 spam posts every single day.

While I'm sure you're right that many thousands of the registered names are bots or garden variety spammers, another sad fact is that many people register, even post their introduction and then never post again. Never figured out why anybody'd want to do that but there it is. We who post are a spectator sport!

Thanks again.

Jan

[alpha128]

Naturally, it's up to DougO what he wants to do as far as bots/spammers but since cleaning up the spam if they post is my job, I have to say I'm very happy with the 'honey trap' (I think that's what it's called) set-up we have now. Just speaking for myself, I don't care if bots register as long as they don't disrupt the forums. I think since the trap was put in place we've had fewer than a handful of spam postings and those were all 'members' who'd joined before it was in place. Before that it was upwards of 300 spam posts every single day.

I've seen the honeypot set-up you've got and yes, it's effective in keeping spam posts to a minimum. Still, I imagine that tens of thousands of unconfirmed user accounts take up system resources that could be better used for legitimate forum business.

While I'm sure you're right that many thousands of the registered names are bots or garden variety spammers, another sad fact is that many people register, even post their introduction and then never post again. Never figured out why anybody'd want to do that but there it is. We who post are a spectator sport!

The Few. The Proud. The Posters!

Thanks for the thoughtfulness, Alpha.

You are welcome, Jan.

[Jan]

The Few. The Proud. The Posters!

'Tis true! But when something happens in the B5 universe (sadly, it's too often the passing of a cast member these days), I'm happy that people remember this place and come here to find out what's true and what's rumor.

[phazedout]

Jan truly exists.
I'm more of a rumour....

[Bonehead]

'Tis true! But when something happens in the B5 universe (sadly, it's too often the passing of a cast member these days), I'm happy that people remember this place and come here to find out what's true and what's rumor.

Yup, some of us still check in regularly. There's just not much to discuss anymore. I think The Memory of Shadows was the last time I got properly excited. Nowadays I just lurk. Good to see Auntie Jan still doing her thing :-)

[Jan]

Yup, some of us still check in regularly. There's just not much to discuss anymore. I think The Memory of Shadows was the last time I got properly excited. Nowadays I just lurk. Good to see Auntie Jan still doing her thing :-)

Auntie Jan ( ) will still keep the light on for you!

[B5-Stefan]

Thanks for the thoughtfulness, Alpha.
Naturally, it's up to DougO what he wants to do as far as bots/spammers but since cleaning up the spam if they post is my job, I have to say I'm very happy with the 'honey trap' (I think that's what it's called) set-up we have now. Just speaking for myself, I don't care if bots register as long as they don't disrupt the forums. I think since the trap was put in place we've had fewer than a handful of spam postings and those were all 'members' who'd joined before it was in place. Before that it was upwards of 300 spam posts every single day.

Hi Jan,
lately the "introductions" are flooded with spoo. err. I mean spam.

Is there a possibility in vBulletin to filter the "subject".
Means: filter out all subjects beginning with "http://", "https://" and -of course- "US Defense chief"?
Would reduce it remarkable and ease your job, Jan.

B5-Stefan

--
Kosh to Lyta: "All arranged, as is payment, we will meet in Red-3 at the hour of scampering" [Babylon5, Deathwalker]

[Jan]

The point of the Introductions is to catch the spammers and ban them before they can do any harm. I should clean them out more often but it's been kinda busy.

[B5-Stefan]

I should clean them out more often but it's been kinda busy.

That's why I ask.
Should be an automatic filter by subject, where subject begins with
"http://", "https://", "US Defense chief"
and an automatic delete of these posts.
Perhaps a question to Doug?

B5-Stefan

--
Sinclair: "Stay close to the Vorlon. And watch out for shadows.
They move when you're not looking at them."

[Jan]

That's why I ask.
Should be an automatic filter by subject, where subject begins with
"http://", "https://", "US Defense chief"
and an automatic delete of these posts.
Perhaps a question to Doug?

I'm pretty sure he's working on an upgrade. Let's see what happens. Thanks.