Reduce Forum Spam: A Quick Overview of Options
 

Reduce Forum Spam


Spam, spam, and more spam. If you want to reduce the spam on your board but are not sure what to do, then this list of modification threads, ordered by thread ID, is for you. The intent of this list is to provide you with a quick overview of options.

There are certainly other modifications and tips out there. If you find something that is useful, please post a short description and link so others might benefit. If you need support for any of the listed mods, please post in the modification thread.


Some Mods on vBorg


Is Bot: Registration Time Check

This mod calculates the time it takes to go between two registration pages to try and prevent bots from registering at your forum.

Pro: easy, quick. Con: bots could bypass the check with lag time.


Spam List: Block 261022 Registration Email Domains

This mod blocks registrations if the user's email domain is on one of the pre-made spam domain lists, except for the exemption list.

Pro: pre-made list. Con: will outdate quickly, uses server memory.


Allow URLs in posts only after a minimum number of posts (to reduce spam)

The mod allows you to prevent users from posting links until they reach a certain post count and is configurable by user group.

Pro: easy, quick. Con: other mods may allow for more options.


Enhanced Captcha Image Verification - stop bots from signing up!!

This mod adds another layer to CAPTCHA by requiring a user to select the correct image from a selection of images in order to register.

Pro: neat mod. Con: bots could bypass the check with reposts.


Check Proxy RBL on New User Registration.

This mod "compares the IP address of the person registering with the Realtime Block List(s) of your choice" and can block registration.

Pro: easy, quick. Con: uses an outside source to resolve addresses.


Prevent Spam Posts

This mod "allows you to send posts to the moderation queue if they are from new users and contain certain keywords that you define."

Pro: neat mod. Con: you need to come up with the keywords.


MonkeyStop - Auto-Moderation of Spammer Keywords and URLs by postcount

This mod allows you to place posts in moderation based on keywords and post count, and also limit the number of links that appear in posts.

Pro: neat mod. Con: you need to come up with the keywords.


NoSpam! - an alternative to CAPTCHA images

This mod allows you to set questions on registration that must be answered correctly in order for the registration process to complete.

Pro: neat mod. Con: this could be done without a mod.


Cyb - Advanced Permissions Based on User's Post Count.

This mod "allows you to set permissions based on user's post count" to prevent viewing and posting links, among other things.

Pro: neat mod. Con: you need to keep track of more permissions.


Some Tips on vBcom


How to Reduce Spam and Registration Bots

This thread gives you some tips on how to set various vB ACP options to avoid spam.

Pro: easy, quick. Con: you might not want to set certain options.


Add an extra question to the registration to prevent bot registrations.

This thread tells you how to set up a custom profile field to help block bot registrations.

Pro: easy, quick. Con: you need a little regular expression experience.


Some ACP Locations


ACP -> vBulletin Options -> Site Name / URL / Contact Details -> Allow Unregistered Users to use 'Contact Us'

ACP -> vBulletin Options -> Image Settings

ACP -> vBulletin Options -> User Banning Options


Note on Pro/Con Info


The pro/con information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to belittle any mod or author. Your pro/con evaluations may be different. Feel free to make your own assessments.

Awesome, I think I am going to choose the url resrcition based on post count mod.