Stop the Registration Bots

[GrossKopf]

This is a fantastic mod. Since installing it, I've stopped dozens of attempted bots. Combine it with the advanced registration mod (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=201287), and you will stop the bots cold!

[Kottonmouth801]

?
Would this mod be considered "needed" for 3.8.2 ?

Or is it included with 3.8.2

I am very interested in this mod.

?

[TheLastSuperman]

?
Would this mod be considered "needed" for 3.8.2 ?

Or is it included with 3.8.2

I am very interested in this mod.

?

YES :D

And if you notice one or two that registered after a few weeks simply change the hidden values for this mod in admincp --> vbulletin options --> Stop the Registration Bot options etc. I change them once weekly after one or two got by and then no problems if I change it weekly, not one bot yet however realize this is not permanent, nothing is or ever will be as they keep getting more advanced (bots) just like our methods, it's a race to see who can get what they want quicker.

I have found on 3.6 and 3.8 I have had no problems installing this but another board which was 3.7 had it refreshing the register page once submitted instead of redirecting properly so FYI there is an issue for some people on 3.7 forums but that could be due to past installed bot mods and just conflicting so it should not represent a bug of this actual mod.

S-MAN

[Kottonmouth801]

:)

Thanks for the advise and the "heads" up...

I will definitly keep all you have stated in mind...

I am preparing to test this on a test board now.

I will keep you posted on the results.

FYI... "Superman"

I plan to check some of your modifications out...

There was a few in your list that caught my eye....

:up:
:)

[Kottonmouth801]

:up: Kottonmouth801 Marks as Installed. :up:

[TheLastSuperman]

:)

Thanks for the advise and the "heads" up...

I will definitly keep all you have stated in mind...

I am preparing to test this on a test board now.

I will keep you posted on the results.

FYI... "Superman"

I plan to check some of your modifications out...

There was a few in your list that caught my eye....

:up:
:)
Good to hear, all are supported so if I do not reply promptly well... read the sig :p

Also a new one soon and when I say new ohh man do I mean it's going to make you all go wow :p I just received confirmation from the developer last week to implement with vb but have been busy w/ paid requests so hang tight!

Ohh and glad to see you got this working and remember to change those values in admincp every week or if you forget every other week etc, I know what you said above but better to pund it in your head ahead of time :D

S-MAN

[rross]

I followed the installation instructions, however I am lost onece I reach the Fifth step??? I can't find Product Manager Add/Import. Please help.

[TheLastSuperman]

Admincp --> Pugins & Products --> Manage Products

Now look on the right for the link... [Add/Import Product]

Clcik it and upload the file from your computer where you unzipped the mod.

Now go into Admincp --> vBulletin Options --> Stop the Registration Bots Options etc etc and set your options, change those pre-configured hash codes using up to 8 letters or numbers and save.

S-MAN

[Wired1]

Thought about implementing something where a cron job runs every 2 weeks or so automatically changing those fields?

[rross]

In the xml folder that is found within the includes folder, there is no file called product. However, there are 6 other xml files. Please advise. Thank you for your help! :)

[TheLastSuperman]

In the xml folder that is found within the includes folder, there is no file called product. However, there are 6 other xml files. Please advise. Thank you for your help! :)

rross you remind me of myself a few years back :p

Those are the upload files, they should have been uploaded with all the rest but there is a product xml file for just the mod, that's what you install ;)

S-MAN

[rross]

Thanks S-Man! I finally figured it out with your help. I hope with the fact that I remind you of yourself, means that in a couple of years I'll be advanced enough to develop mods too. Thanks for all of your help!:)

[Kottonmouth801]

:up: :up: :up::up: :up::up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up:

Will be making donation ...... This mod is a "LIfe Saver"

[0 Seo 0]

this is a very useful mod you have made. A++ Sir

[Pokerbanter]

Had this working really well on 3.7.4. Upgraded now to 3.8.3, are there any changes required or should it still work as it did on 3.7.x?

[AdrianH]

Had this working really well on 3.7.4. Upgraded now to 3.8.3, are there any changes required or should it still work as it did on 3.7.x?

Works for me 100% in 3.8.3.

Best mod ever placed here at vB.org.

[timk17]

Figured out my problem!

Thanks for the great mod. INSTALLED!

[sean289855]

Went thru all the steps and gets this .

After a new user tries to register.
You have left a required field blank.

My board is: http://www.faceoffhockeyshow.com/forum/

Using 3.7.1 and I think I followed everything.
Any help would be great.

[noppid]

Went thru all the steps and gets this .

After a new user tries to register.
You have left a required field blank.

My board is: http://www.faceoffhockeyshow.com/forum/

Using 3.7.1 and I think I followed everything.
Any help would be great.

Looks like you left out a template edit.

[OblivionMage]

I also just installed this and got the 'You have left a required field blank' error when I try to register.

I've successfully used this mod before, so I'll check over the edits.

Note: I'm using 3.8.4

Edit: Apparently, instead of changing the code in 3b I just added stuff after it. Unfortunately, after correcting that I still receive the error on trying to accept the Rules.

[noppid]

I also just installed this and got the 'You have left a required field blank' error when I try to register.

I've successfully used this mod before, so I'll check over the edits.

Note: I'm using 3.8.4

Edit: Apparently, instead of changing the code in 3b I just added stuff after it. Unfortunately, after correcting that I still receive the error on trying to accept the Rules.

I just tried your forum and was able to register. I guess you sorted it out?

[OblivionMage]

I just turned the mod off ;)

I'm sure its just some strange error with my forum. MGC Chatbox also refuses to work. I used to have both of those mods on a related vBulletin forum, and they worked fine then, so it must be some sort of forum-specific error. Maybe a database / VBulletin file problem?

Thanks,

[noppid]

I just turned the mod off ;)

I'm sure its just some strange error with my forum. MGC Chatbox also refuses to work. I used to have both of those mods on a related vBulletin forum, and they worked fine then, so it must be some sort of forum-specific error. Maybe a database / VBulletin file problem?

Thanks,

I don't know what is wrong from your perspective. But this mod worked on your forum when I registered. If you get anymore details on a possible conflict, please let us know.

[sean289855]

Any luck with mine.

[noppid]

Went thru all the steps and gets this .

After a new user tries to register.
You have left a required field blank.

My board is: http://www.faceoffhockeyshow.com/forum/

Using 3.7.1 and I think I followed everything.
Any help would be great.

I don't see the added random hidden fields in your registration page. Look at the template edits and that you edited the style you are using on your forum when you view it.

[OblivionMage]

I don't know what is wrong from your perspective. But this mod worked on your forum when I registered. If you get anymore details on a possible conflict, please let us know.

You must have misunderstood ;). Once I realized it was returning the error, I disabled the product and registrations worked again (which is why yours worked). I don't think there is a conflict issue - both this mod and MGC Chatbox don't work whether or not the other one is enabled.

Its a rather strange issue >.>

[noppid]

I saw the timer, but never looked at the page source. Hard to say what might be wrong, I'd have to see the page source with the mod enabled.

[OblivionMage]

The mod is enabled again. The problem occurs when you try to accept the ToS.

[noppid]

The mod is enabled again. The problem occurs when you try to accept the ToS.

I see the template edits, but the values are missing. Got to think about this for a minute or two.

Check under vbulletin options that all the fields are filled in.

[OblivionMage]

I see the template edits, but the values are missing. Got to think about this for a minute or two.

Check under vbulletin options that all the fields are filled in.

Yeah, they are all filled in:
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o126/OblivionMage/registrationbots.png

Thanks for all the help, its certainly a strange issue.

[greenchicken]

MAN THIS THING WORKS GREAT

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/external/2009/08/39.jpg

[Darkmaster92]

It seems to work also on 3.8.4
Nice mod, now lets see if it works well :)

[Ranger187]

You must have misunderstood ;). Once I realized it was returning the error, I disabled the product and registrations worked again (which is why yours worked). I don't think there is a conflict issue - both this mod and MGC Chatbox don't work whether or not the other one is enabled.

Its a rather strange issue >.>

I'm one of the tech's for the MGC mod...If you can't get MGC to work, it's usually the Mod_security issue on Apache....PM me if you need help. As I don't check this thread...

[Jamey]

Thanks...will try this.

[Peter Caparelli]

I've downloaded the "Stop-The-Bots" hack, backed up my vB database, made the additions and substitutions as per steps 1, 2 and 3 of the install file, but I'm stuck at #4:

"***Forth: Upload the contents of the upload folder."

I see the contents of the upload folder, but WHERE am I uploading them?

I'm eager to install this hack as it's been so well received, but can someone give me a push inb the right direction? Please?

[VB1r@n]

thanks
mark as installed

[PAKIDIL]

When I register I got this msg "You have left a required field blank."
Help me please

i know this sound gona strange to everyone but i was having this problem .i simple disable the hack then i try to register its work fine as i have install the hack so dont know what causing it . but its work (100%)

[richTV]

was getting the same thing so i uninstalled it under vB3.8.X as i figured it wasn't working correctly for this.

unless it is a conflict with https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=183329 ????

best to search in the vB3.8 section for a newer addon.

was a nice hack when it lasted, tnx for sharing it none-the-less. :)

[noppid]

This mod works fine under 3.8.4. We have found most problems are usually a step missed in the install process.

[cowboycoalition]

i have installed this and i still get a bunch of registration bots that register. am i doing something wrong?

[noppid]

i have installed this and i still get a bunch of registration bots that register. am i doing something wrong?

If you give us a link to your site, maybe a quick look could tell us something.

[OturanBoğa]

vb4 soon please :)

[OturanBoğa]

vb4 soon please?

[websissy]

Not one bot registration has made it past my junk yard dogs, Stop The Registration Bots and vBSFS, in the past 10 days. Legit users got in without issues. But between them Stop The Registration Bots and vB Stop Forum Spam (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=176481) defeated every single bot. In fact, the ground around my site is practically littered with the corpses of dead and rotting bots.

Way to kick butt, noppid. {loud applause, cheering, foot stomping, howling and wolf whistles} I say, HELL YES!!!

Thank You!!! :D :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :D

[websissy]

21 days and still counting. STILL not a single spam bot has managed to get in. We've been forced to buy a backhoe to bury all the bot corpses... The bots Stop The Forum Spam does NOT catch and kill, StopTheRegistrationBots does.

So far, so good...

This pair of tools work!

:D :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :D

[pts123]

I installed this last year on my 3.8.2 Forum and it stopped them all. It works perfectly! But, I now have a 4.0.2 install and I'm getting hit with Bots all the time.

Is there a version of this for VB4? I hope, I hope, I hope?

Jerry - KC

:D:up::D:up::D:up::D:up::D:up::D:up::D:up::D:up:

[Jaxel]

With vb 3.8.4 this mod no longer serves its function. It looks like they have figured out how to get past it.

[Peter Caparelli]

So what is currently our best defense against reg bots? I use vB 4 at one URL, and 3.6 at another.

[OturanBoğa]

vb4 soon please?

[Hammertime]

Update for vb4???

[noppid]

Update for vb4???

Didn't think vB4 users would want this. I'll get it in the editor and see what we can do.

[Hammertime]

Didn't think vB4 users would want this. I'll get it in the editor and see what we can do.

Why not?

I had it for an old 3.8 board and it worked wonders. I haven't found anything similar for vb4.

[noppid]

Why not?

I had it for an old 3.8 board and it worked wonders. I haven't found anything similar for vb4.

Great. But I figured the vB 4 registration would be pretty strong. However, I guess more hurdles for spammers to get stuck on can't be bad.

I'm uploading the 4.0 code to a test server right now. PM me if you can help.

[noppid]

<a href="https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=244746" target="_blank">Stop the Registration Bots for vB 4.x</a> is posted.

[Hammertime]

Stop the Registration Bots for vB 4.x (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=244746) is posted.

Excellent, thank you.

Will nominate.

[White Devil]

Works on vB 3.6.12?
Or is there an alternative?

[adwade]

One available alternative is ZB BLOCK. It just requires a single line of CODE added to your global.php file and your vB forum is protected from many kinds of bad 'bots.. Oh yeah, and it's FREE!

ZB BLOCK (http://www.spambotsecurity.com/zbblock.php)
Don't let the robots in the door!
A GPL V2 PHP Protection Script for your site.

This php security script is designed to detect certain behaviors detrimental to websites, or known bad addresses attempting to access your site. It then will send the bad robot (usually) or hacker an authentic 403 FORBIDDEN page with a description of what the problem was. If the attacker persists, then they will be served up a permanently recurring 503 OVERLOAD message with a 24 hour timeout.

[White Devil]

This page does not look very serious

[career]

Thanks noppid!
Before -100-500 registers per day
After - 50.

[madmax1228]

I have been using this for a long time and LMAO at competitor boards who are slammed daily with bot registrations. I concur this is a great mod!

[Afterglow86]

I've just installed due to a recent bombardment of registrations of a suspicious nature. Let's hope it works.

[Artes_Marciales]

Thanks!!!!

[xlguy]

We are using the "skip rules" plugin and have our forum rules as part of the register page. We found this increases sign-up rates. However, it means we cannot use this Stop Registration Bots plugin. Would it be possible to change the plugin so it doesn't rely on the user passing through the rules page first?

[StephenKay]

One available alternative is ZB BLOCK. It just requires a single line of CODE added to your global.php file and your vB forum is protected from many kinds of bad 'bots.. Oh yeah, and it's FREE!

ZB BLOCK (http://www.spambotsecurity.com/zbblock.php)
Don't let the robots in the door!
A GPL V2 PHP Protection Script for your site.

This php security script is designed to detect certain behaviors detrimental to websites, or known bad addresses attempting to access your site. It then will send the bad robot (usually) or hacker an authentic 403 FORBIDDEN page with a description of what the problem was. If the attacker persists, then they will be served up a permanently recurring 503 OVERLOAD message with a 24 hour timeout.
Thanks for this link! This is exactly what I have been looking for as I am continuously being bombarded with hacker-bots attacking my register.php script, leading my ISP to threaten to close down my site for using too much of the shared resources.

I've installed it and already the log fie is showing many malicious bots being turned away. We'll see how it goes...but looks good!

[adwade]

Plenty welcome. My killed_log.txt files typically run 2mb/mo in size, so you can just image how many undesirables ZB BLOCK keeps off our website. Several admins have had a few issues with it, but as with any new program there's going to be a learning curve. Zaphod is great about responding to questions and will help you any way you can. Just watch your logs for awhile, and you'll soon be able to pick out anything questionable you might want to allow onto your site. See also, General Request - Zb Block - Stop Spam & 'bots @ Server (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=254331)

[letsjoy]

This mod is brilliant one :)
Thanks man

[AuroraStorm]

Thank you! This was right on time. I recently reopened my board registration and I got hit with spam bots. I hope this helps.

[AuroraStorm]

Okay, I have a problem - this hack disabled my Thank You Hack. How can I prevent that from happening?

[jeremyalyea]

Anyone know how to disable the email that says: "Possible Bot denied forum registration"?

[noppid]

Anyone know how to disable the email that says: "Possible Bot denied forum registration"?

Go to vBulletin Options -> Stop the Registration Bots Options -> Email Notification and check no.

[noppid]

Okay, I have a problem - this hack disabled my Thank You Hack. How can I prevent that from happening?

We use the Thank You hack on vB 3.x with this mod and don't have any issues.

[boothole]

Hello Brother!
I've been using "SRB" for a week now and absolutely wish I had this years ago! It works exactly as advertised! I just wanted you to know (from me) that this Mod does just what everyone is looking for.

Thank you again for this Mod! :up:+
Tony (boothole) :)

[eric1]

I had this installed but it did not appear to be working right as I would get an error on trying to register. So I uninstalled it and followed the directions to a T and have it running again but still with the error.

I am using vbadvanced CMPS and Fcb_pro_music_fluid style with the friends product installed also. Vbulletin boards are version 3.7.2 http://exposingamerica.info/forum/
(http://exposingamerica.info/forum/)
This is the error that I'm receiving :


Warning: require_once([path]/includes/stb_functions.php) [function.require-once]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in [path]/register.php(81) : eval()'d code on line 4

Fatal error: require_once() [function.require]: Failed opening required '/home/exposing/public_html/forum/includes/stb_functions.php' (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/exposing/public_html/forum/register.php(81) : eval()'d code on line 4


EDIT : I figured it out. I was not putting the 5 files in the "includes" directory.......it's working now! Gesh....I knew it was something simple....

:eek: Can anyone help me out?

[TrudyD]

I got the exact same message as the poster above and I see his response that he fixed the issue

"I was not putting the 5 files in the "includes" directory...."

Can you tell me how to fix this? Simple instructions please. I'm not extremely tech savvy.

Thanks!

[Ata123]

VB 3.7.6 P2

Like others I had the "You have left a required field blank" error in IE (9)

Seems solved after putting his right after <head> in both the register and register_rules templates

<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=8">

[Ata123]

Had the issue again, I removed the manual addition of

<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=8">

from both templates again and instead changed this option to "No":

Vbulletin Options -> Cookies and HTTP Header Options -> Send Internet Explorer 7 Compatibility Header: [x] NO

[manning]

This seems to stop a lot of the bots that were getting through ... now I get dozens of emails like this every day >

The following username and email address were denied registration: AtFeel-SoGO - heidyfulbrdaz@gmail.com Form Processing Time in Seconds: 0

There still are a few that get through though, and despite the fact that I also have admin must authorize enabled some of these dang bots get through that as well and are shown as new members. I also installed a no sig mod so that helps too....

Tonight I decided to rename my register.php file to see if that would slow them down - it wasnt even 30 minutes and I was getting emails telling me an address was denied registration. WTF?

vbulletin needs to get onto of this - this is way out of control! I dont understand - the idiots keep getting denied, the ones that do get through cant add a url and they cant post. HOW can I keep them off my IP all together? And how to these scammers (I figure its only a few doing it in a major way) still have ISP access? They should be banned from the Internet for life for being so darn stupid!

Is there a new mod that will keep these bots out for good?

[JohnSG]

Is there a version for 4.x

Cheers
John

[dirkji]

I too get the error "You have left a required field blank".
Any solution?

[noppid]

I too get the error "You have left a required field blank".
Any solution?

Try going to the vB ACP under Options, go to settings group User Registration Options, COPPA Registration System. Set it to deny registration for users under 13 or COPPA on.

[CorneliusW]

I get this message "You have left a required field blank." when going to register page. http://ps4forum.net/register.php is the page. I have followed the instructions and modified the templates as needed.

[Piggo]

Is there a version for 4.x

I would like to know the same.
I think I prefer this method to the SPAM-O-Matic approach.


Added:
Okay, there is version for vb 4+:

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=244746

[ApexSpeed]

Any way to test this to see if it's working properly? I haven't gotten any e-mail notices yet, and I am still seeing registrations get blocked through the logs from vbStopForumSpam. It seems as if it is still allowing bots to come through, or would the vbStopForumSpam block those users out before this hack would ever have a chance to function?

[noppid]

Any way to test this to see if it's working properly? I haven't gotten any e-mail notices yet, and I am still seeing registrations get blocked through the logs from vbStopForumSpam. It seems as if it is still allowing bots to come through, or would the vbStopForumSpam block those users out before this hack would ever have a chance to function?

You can read the source code on each page to see it is there for one.
You really should register a test user to verify registration works.
Email verification should tell you that something happened.
I don't know about the mod you mentioned.

[AtoZ]

Had the issue again, I removed the manual addition of

<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=8">

from both templates again and instead changed this option to "No":

Vbulletin Options -> Cookies and HTTP Header Options -> Send Internet Explorer 7 Compatibility Header: [x] NO
Thank you for sharing this. I'm testing it and hope this fixes the problem for me as well.