SpamBuster v1.0.0 (Stable): Identify, log and remove spam posts on your forum

This is the v3.5 version of vbSpamBuster that I wrote for vBulletin v3.0.x This version adds some new features.

What does it do?
It spots posts that could potentially be spam then (depending on option settings) creates a thread alerting site admin/moderators about the post and/or hides the post from view.

How does it identify the spam?
All off the posts for users with a post count of less than 10 (configurable) have their posts checked against a number of rules. Each rule has a different "score". If the total score for the post exceeds a specified limit then the post is deemed to be spam.

Can I add my own rules?
The installer file has a default rule set with it, you may wish to customise the rules in the options section of the AdminCP. The rules system is fairly simple to add to, in simple terms each rule is a perl regular expression and a score.

How do I install it?
Import the product via the Product Manager in the AdminCP. The options group and plugins will be added to your system. Now would be a good time to click the install link on here to record the fact that you've installed it.

How do I configure it?
Head to the "SpamBuster" option group in the "vBulletin Options" section of your AdminCP. Fill in the relevant fields. Further documentation will follow but it should be obvious what each setting does for the moment.

How do I upgrade?
Just run a regular install. It's worth backing up your settings particluarly the rules before performing the upgrade. If you're upgrading from v0.3.2 to v1.0.0 you can just download the attached rules file and add it via the admincp as there have been no code changes.

How can I test it?
Try posting a new thread/post with some trigger values in it. The string ekmas.com should do the trick.

Help it's broken my forum!
Erm, that's not an intended feature. Disable all six of the plugins that are part of the product "SpamBuster" and post an error report to this thread. The forum will work fine.

Why doesn't it do x,y or z?
Because I've either not thought about it yet or I've not written it yet. Please drop a post into this thread with any (sensible!) suggestions.

Can I use it commercially?
You're free to use it for whatever purpose comercially/privately as long as you don't resell the code. It's released under the LGPL, see the link below for futher info. If you find this plugin useful and you'd like to make a donation please use the "donate" button below.




This software is licenced under the CC-GNU LGPL.


Changelog

• 15th June 2006 - v1.0.1 - Updated list of rules uploaded as a text file
• 6th April 2006 - v1.0.0 - Stable release: code remains the same but the rules file has changed.

[UK Jimbo]

Thanks

[forumthemes]

wow great work Getting tired of spam post

[Chadi]

What if I want to grant a link without it being reported, only to select users/posts? How would I go about this?

[UK Jimbo]

Originally Posted by chadi

What if I want to grant a link without it being reported, only to select users/posts? How would I go about this?

I don't understand the question could you describe what you want to do in more detail please?

[ScubaAddict]

Jimbo -

Great product! I have just a few questions:

1. I have it set to post to a spam thread if spam is detected, and to hide the spam post from view. Now say I find it is not spam. Is there a way to allow it to be shown (un-flagged as spam)?

2. When a spam post is hidden from view - you can still see the thread. Is that the way it is supposed to work? For example: SPammer starts new thread with his message, it is flagged as spam - so the message is hidden, but you can still see the thread link in the forum.

3. Is there a way to make your list catch a regex item more then once. For example: "http://" is in a message 20 times (obvious spam post) but the regex only caught the first http:// - so it only recieves 5 points. I want it to have 100 points (5x20).

I think that is all of my questions so far. This is exactly what I needed! Great Work!

[UK Jimbo]

Originally Posted by ScubaAddict

Jimbo -

Great product! I have just a few questions:

1. I have it set to post to a spam thread if spam is detected, and to hide the spam post from view. Now say I find it is not spam. Is there a way to allow it to be shown (un-flagged as spam)?

2. When a spam post is hidden from view - you can still see the thread. Is that the way it is supposed to work? For example: SPammer starts new thread with his message, it is flagged as spam - so the message is hidden, but you can still see the thread link in the forum.

Hi SA.

The post is flagged as "unmoderated" this means that administrators/moderators can see it but regular registered users on the forum can't. The way you've described it is exactly as it should work.

Using the normal vBulletin interface you should be able to "manage" the moderated thread (there are the "AJAX" functions too). Have a look in the vBulletin manual and moderation is explained in there

Originally Posted by ScubaAddict

3. Is there a way to make your list catch a regex item more then once. For example: "http://" is in a message 20 times (obvious spam post) but the regex only caught the first http:// - so it only recieves 5 points. I want it to have 100 points (5x20).

I think that is all of my questions so far. This is exactly what I needed! Great Work!

Interesting one. I can see exactly why you'd want to use this one but it's not something that the software can do at the moment. I'll give it some further thought

[jj]

Originally Posted by UK Jimbo

Interesting one. I can see exactly why you'd want to use this one but it's not something that the software can do at the moment. I'll give it some further thought

Hi there, have looked into the code for a moment. Try using the preg_match_all() function to get more than one hit for a regular expression. You will get a multi-dimensional array then with all found matches

[UK Jimbo]

Originally Posted by jj

Hi there, have looked into the code for a moment. Try using the preg_match_all() function to get more than one hit for a regular expression. You will get a multi-dimensional array then with all found matches

Sure - I'd thought about that. Then multiply count($matches) with the weighting for that rule.

I'm wondering if there are any cases where you wouldn't want to consider multiple occurences of the same pattern. (i.e. have the "all" test configurable).

[Invalid ID]

I am sorry I just could not understand what this hack will do.

I have some members who use my forum to promote their websites... so can this plugin detect the posts like www.sitename.com type of lines and remove them?

[UK Jimbo]

Originally Posted by Invalid ID

I am sorry I just could not understand what this hack will do.

I have some members who use my forum to promote their websites... so can this plugin detect the posts like www.sitename.com type of lines and remove them?

It's less to stop member but more to stop people who come in and register on the forum just to post advertising on there. I think some use software so that they can put similar posts on hundreds of forums.

THis hack will identify the spam posts using pattern matches then prevent regular users from seeing the posts on the forum. As a moderator or admin you will still be able to see the posts on the forum, if any of the posts are in fact geniuine posts then you can make them visible to the forum users easily using built in vBulletin moderation commands.