[skippybosco]

@Floris / @TheInsaneManiac:

There is an option in the configuration of the plugin:

"What should happen if the remote connection times out when querying the new registration?" Allow Registration / Block Registration

...which will first check your local cached copy of the stop forum spam dataset (ie. you are still protected from most recently known spammers in your local cache) and then allow registration if there is no response from the stop forum spam.

As the site has had a 3x+ traffic increase from January 2009 - January 2010, scaling and DDOS attacks are always a challenge. That being said, there is much effort happening behind the scenes to increase the robustness / speed of the stop forum.

@TheInsaneManiac, the plugin you suggested can certainly be run in combination with the SFS plugin as they compliment each other well. That being said, it only prevents automated (bot) not human spammers.