Attack of the spammers!

[CaptainAwesome]

I seem to have 351 spammers registered on my forum. 1291 Threads, 1391 posts.

How do i delete them all?

Since my forum isn't transferred over yet, i assume the easiest way to delete all the posts is to just remove the entire sub-forum (all the posts are focused on one section) and to set it up again. Would that be a fair conclusion?

And is there an option to block IP addresses? i can't seem to find it.

[CaptainAwesome]

ok, i just realized i could probably ask the host to do a rewind backup. I hope that will work.

I also noticed that i had 2000+ more users waiting on email verification. :eek:

However, i would like some advise on how to stop this from happening in the future.

I've attached an image of the human verification options i had.

I was thinking of changing the verification to Question & Answer. I didn't want the "random shapes" option since that makes it hard to read.

Any suggestions?

[CaptainAwesome]

And a further update to my own post, i just noticed i could select all the threads on the page and use the "moderation tool" to delete the posts, users and ban them.

I'd still like to know now to block their IP's, or is that futile?

[Max Taxable]

I'd still like to know now to block their IP's, or is that futile?It's useless and even counter productive to ban IP addresses today, since they are so easily spoofed by botnets anyway. Today's spammer IP might well be tomorrow's legitimate user.

Follow the link in my sig to learn how to eschew spam.

[CaptainAwesome]

Thanks for the info. As soon as i have the site set back, i'll be sure to implement those.

--------------- Added 1401092308 at 1401092308 ---------------

ok, i rewound my database and its like new.

I started to install the mods in your link and came across my first problem.

Here are the instructions i found:

Basic Instructions
1) Import XML File
2) Go to mod settings in Admin CP
3) Rename your register.php file via FTP or some other means- make it a unique value but only use basic letters, numbers, underscores, or hyphens. Something like "joeregister999.php"
4) In the mod settings, set the value of register.php to the new file name you chose.
5) If you require email verification during registration follow the next setting in the Admin CP and edit the phrases listed (activateaccount and activateaccount_chnage phrases in Email Body)
6) Finally, if you use Facebook Connect on your forum make the manual file edit of class_bootstrap.php as instructed.

As a newbie, i find myself pulling out my hair and turning to a forum like this for help. A simple task takes a long time when it should only take minutes.

Basic instructions #3..........where is the register.php file?
Basic instructions #5..........where is the activateaccount and activateaccount_change ?

When i look at the activateaccount though the CP, it won't let you change it, just view it (is it just me or is that a bad design?) so i assume i have to do it via FTP and edit the file.

And i assume #2 is CP>Settings>Options>Rename register.php by BOP5>edit

[Max Taxable]

You should ask your install questions of the developers of the mods you're trying to install, in the vBorg threads where you found the Mods. The developers are there to help and support their plugins and modifications and can help best.