I think I'm having a problem with security...

[natecoupons]

Okay....I'm not sure what is going on...but I just started a forum. We have around 800 posts...but in the last 10 days we have had a massive about of spammers. They can't post the links because of the 15 post minumum but they are posting links in their profiles and signatures. Today, I had a member pm me...saying that they now need a moderator to approve their posts. I never made that change...so someone must hacked into my system...but what is confusing is that if they gained access why wouldn't they have just destroyed it all?? I'm lost. Any help here in additional security???

[NathanLedet]

Welcome to the world of Spam.

No, they haven't hacked your site. It's just spam bots that are smart enough now to get around your spam protection.

Upgrading to the latest version *usually* helps, but there is a long thread around here somewhere about spam bots having field days and posting hundreds of posts on the latest vB version.

Do your members verify their e-mail address?
Do you have any spam protection turned on yet? (reCaptcha, question/answer, etc.)

Have a look in the mods section (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/forumdisplay.php?f=198) - there are some good anti-spam mods that will take care of your spammers for you.

[natecoupons]

okay...that makes me feel a little better....now how do i change my permissions back??? I would like regular registered users to be able to post...WITHOUT me as the admin or a mod approving that. I've looked and can't find it....thanks!!

--------------- Added 1223609846 at 1223609846 ---------------

I went and got..."nospam"...what does everyone think of it??

[NathanLedet]

AdminCP > vBulletin Options > User Registration Options > Moderate New Members