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.

[Fox Mc Cloud]

Is it somehow possible to block html links too? Some spambots try it even tough it doesn't work. They can make posts which is pretty annoying.

[islamicvd]

Does it works on 3.6.10?

[LeonardoCal]

anyone tested this on 3.7.0?

[King Justice]

Does this work on vB 3.7.1?

[sarahk]

I've just installed this in a 3.7.2 forum and it's tested ok.

[Bonus Paradise]

installed this today on VB 3.7.3
tested too
works good so far
many thnks

[sarahk]

Important change needed to this plugin.

If people post, then edit their post they can add links.

Please add the following plugin
=============================
The hook is editpost_update_process
The code is

// Restrict URLs
if ($vbulletin->userinfo['posts'] < $vbulletin->userinfo['permissions']['postsforurls'] && preg_match('/\[\/url\]/i', $edit['message'])){
    $errors[] = fetch_error('no_urls_for_you', $vbulletin->userinfo['permissions']['postsforurls']);
}

[Bonus Paradise]

thank you very much sarah :up:

please where exactly do i have to add this?

[sarahk]

Go the plugin manager
click on "add new plugin"
then you get to

• create a dummy user so that you can test the workaround. You need to see what you are fixing before you fix it.
• choose the product - for the sake of linking I selected the url product that the other plugin is added to
• choose the hook - scroll through until you find "editpost_update_process"
• add the code above
• mark as active
• save
• test

[Bonus Paradise]

Thank you very much Sarah
found it