New Posting Features - Allow URLs in posts only after a minimum number of posts (to reduce spam)

With the recent increase in CAPTCHA-beating bots spamming their URLs, I have a feeling this mod will be very useful. Inspired by this vBulletin 2 plug-in.

To install, first upload "bitfield_restricturls.xml" to "includes/xml", and then just install restricturls.xml via the product manager in the AdminCP. The plug-in should automatically rebuild the bitfields cache - as long as you upload "bitfield_restricturls.xml" first.

The amount of posts required is configurable in the usergroup manager, simply look for the group of settings with the header "Restrict URLs". The default is set to 5, however most bots tend to only make one or two spam posts at the most.

For obvious reasons, moderators and admins don't have this restriction, but if you want to add it, you can remove the group id from "bitfield_restricturls.xml".

If people find this useful, I may also update this to make an option so the posts containing URLs are set to be moderated rather than just completely restricted.

Enjoy

Update (13th Dec): Added code to rebuild bitfields, just re-install the .xml file. Also fixed a major bug. If you already have this installed... re-install it!

Note: This works by detecting the [url] tag and so it relies on vBulletin BBCode enabled and vBulletin to automatically parse URLs in to BBCode. If you have either of these disabled it will not work.


You're free to do what you like with this code, although credit is appreciated, it's not required.

Brought to you by eXaltic - vBulletin skins.

Update: If you're looking for a more advanced version of this, I recommend this or this. Because of these, this plug-in will no longer be updated unless needed. I recommend you use either of the first 2 if you're looking for more control.

[Xoligy]

Make sure you're using the latest version. Do you have any other mods installed?

I see no logical reason why that would happen, since it requires '[url]' to be in the post before disallowing it.

[SkyCatcher]

Just installed it. Works fantastic!

I've been having a few annoyances where a user would register and spam 20 porn links. They'd get banned, but it would still be annoying to see. This solves my problem perfectly.

Thanks for taking the time

[mjp]

Doesn't work for me.

Only other product installed is the welcome headers:

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=119572

Using the legacy postbit if that matters.

[Xoligy]

Are you sure you uploaded the bitfileds file before installing it?

[danielschnarr]

Looks good, but i found when you post once with a URL, it'll give you an error, click post after you get the error and it lets you.

[Xoligy]

I'll look in to that. But don't forget, the bots aren't going to then click submit, so it's still effective.

[chick]

It isn't working at all for me and I upped bits xml ect... correctly..... installed and set to 5 posts. I have spammers galore... I also took out allowing bb code urls.

they are still posting full url links as are new legitimate members in their 1st post.

[Xoligy]

The reason it isn't working for you is because it relies on vBulletin automatically parsing the URL in to BBCode. Enable BBCode again and it should work. I'm now looking in to the other bugs.

[quote]Looks good, but i found when you post once with a URL, it'll give you an error, click post after you get the error and it lets you.[quote]

I'm un-able to replicate this.

[grecostimpy]

OK, I found something that would be a great fix.

I installed this mod thinking my troubles were over (and mind you, they lessened), but I found I was still getting porn links, etc being posted.

It does not restrict them from making posts with

[url =

(though without the space between the url and "=")

So if they cover the url tags with a word(s) like this: Allow URLs in posts only after a minimum number of posts.. Then it allows the member to post.

[Xoligy]

Good point, I'll fix than and re-upload.

EDIT: Fixed.