Anti-Spam Options - [GlowHost] Spam-O-Matic - Spam Firewall stops forum spam

If you install this mod, please mark this as "Installed."

VERSION 2.1.2 RELEASED 5/28/2013!


About Spam-O-Matic 2.x:
Spam-O-Matic 2.x (SOM) is a spam firewall for your vBulletin Forums version 4.x and later. It prevents known spammers from registering on your forums. If they can't register, they can't spam!

Languages Packs Available
English
German - Courtesy of Alex@bulletin (included in zip)
Romanian - Courtesy of Teascu Dorin's (included in zip)
Spanish - Courtesy of vbluis (included in zip)

How it Works
This data responsible for blocking user registrations comes from the stopforumspam.com (SFS) spammer database. After the user who is trying to register passes the built-in vBulletin registration checks which you have configured in your vBulletin settings, SOM then checks the SFS database to see if the IP, username, or email address that the user is trying to register with has been recently tagged as a known spam source on other forums around the Internet. Also can be configured to check the Akismet service for known comment spam.

This is without a doubt, one of the most important mods that you will be using on your forum.

Other Notable Stuff
It also does a ton of other cool stuff like moderating posts automatically if the post is found in the Akismet database, or if it contains words on your "Bad Words" keyword list which can be configured within the mod itself.

The mod WORKS with vBulletin's new Facebook integration.
This module works with all of the Facebook functions that are built into the vB4 series.
Similar mods do not handle Facebook integration completely.

This module has the ability to submit new spammer details to the StopForumSpam or Akismet databases automatically, all without any new templates or manual template modifications! :up:

This means other forums that are running Spam-O-Matic will not have the same spammer on their forums if you have (automatically) reported the spammer to the SFS database.

Just install the product in the product manager, upload a few files, configure the system and you are done. (Estimated time: 5-10 minutes)

What's new in 2.1.0:

• Fixed a problem with MySQL engine selection to make mod more compatible with different types of servers.
• When SOM "Newbies Group" is activated + vB's native option to "Verify Email address in Registration" is activated at the same time, "Users Awaiting Email Confirmation" must click the verification link to become a newbie.
• Added remove user, post, ban to user profile options in admincp under "Quick User Links"
• Added German Language Pack
• Optimized default settings to work with the needs of most forums
• Added a new coupon for GlowHost (available after you submit a spammer)
• Several other performance tuning options

Feature List:

• Optional Public Statistics. Show off to the world how many bad guys you have automatically prevented from posting junk on your forum.
• Auto-Moderation moderates posts that have links, bad words, and other configurable settings.
• Auto-Moderation ignores your RSS posts.
• Registration / Denial Logs available from Admincp > Statistics and Logs
• Optional "Newbies" Manager! After registration, newly registered users can be placed in a "Newbies" group which has more limited permissions as compared to your regular "Registered Users" group. Newbies will graduate to your Registered Users group based on your required post count settings.
• Auto-Submit Spammers from the moderation tools menu on each postbit.
• Remove Posts, threads, PMs, Calendar Events from your spammer in one easy wizard. No double logins needed.
• Shows other users who signed up with the same IP. (Sleeping Spammers)
• Optional Affiliate System
• ~50 customizable settings to fine-tune Spam-O-Matic to your exact needs.

A) StopForumSpam:
The StopForumSpam Module lets you:

• Check a registrant's IP address.
• Check a registrant's email address.
• Check a registrants Username.
• Disable or enable any of the above checks.
• Block and log, or, allow and log known spammers.
• All registration attempts are logged for your viewing pleasure.
• Several other performance tuning options

If a user (or bot) tries to register on your forum and they pass the built-in vBulletin registration system. (Human verification, email verification, etc), their registration details are then passed to the Spam-O-Matic firewall for further checking.

NOTE: You should use some sort of human verification checking in vBulletin's built-in options to limit the number of requests to the already heavily-loaded StopForumSpam database servers. This will also prevent additional load because SOM will not have to do anything if the bot/spammer fails preliminary registration validation which is built-into vBulletin itself.

It is completely invisible to humans who are registering that this process is taking place. Bots are stopped dead in their tracks.

If a spammer is able to sneak past the first line of defense, and manages to post, then there are secondary, tertiary, and, uh...4th level protections too!

B) Auto-Moderation:
Auto Moderation lets you:

• Define how many URLs a new member can post before being sent to moderation.
• Define keywords that will send a post to Auto-moderation (viagra, porn, more here)
• Define minimum post count to avoid Auto-moderation.
• Excludes admin and moderators from Auto-moderation.
• Completely disable Auto-moderation if you don't want it.

C) Akismet Service
Spammers that make it past the StopForumSpam and Auto-Moderation will be checked against the Akismet service. If they manage to make a post, and then are found on Akismet, they can be auto-moderated.

The Akismet settings let you:

• Set the number of posts that Akismet will check from each user. After this number is exceeded, Akismet checking will be disabled for that user.
• Auto-Submit spammers that post on your boards back to the Akismet service so that other forums and blogs do not do not receive the same spam.
• Completely disable the Akismet service.

D) Newbies Manager
Should you decide to enable this option, you can create a new usergroup and then tell Spam-O-Matic about it. Once SOM knows about this usergroup, and once enabled, all new users will be part of the Newbies group. The idea here is that you make a Newbies group that has limited forum permissions. For example, no signatures, no BB code, no images, and etc. This group is created completely in the vB admincp. Spam-O-Matic simply makes it the graduation process to the normal Registered Users group, automatic.
Learn More and Discuss the Newbies Manager here.

Punitive Actions:
If you find a spammer has made it past your 4 front-lines of defense, and has managed to post on your forum, then you can help the community...

The spammer's details can be sent to the Stop Forum Spam and Akismet databases automatically, preventing them from registering or posting on other forums. When other forums do the same, the protection is reciprocated.

Simply moderate a post and choose the option to "Delete Posts As Spam..." an then choose the option to "Ban User." Banning the user sends their details to either Akismet, StopForumSpam, (or both) depending on how you set it up.

API Keys:
API Keys are not required for this system to stop spammers on your forums. But you should obtain them so that your forum can contribute to the real-time block lists.

A StopForumSpam API key is required if you want to contribute to the StopForumSpam blacklists by adding your spammers to their database. By submitting spammers you help keep other forums and blogs clean.

An Akismet API key is required if you want to enable any Akismet auto-moderation features in this module. Akismet API key is not required for all Auto-Moderation functions.

You can obtain a Stop Forum Spam API key which is free from stopforumspam.com.

Get your StopForumSpam API Key Here

You can obtain an Akismet API key from Akismet.com.
Akismet offers free and paid API keys so choose your version based on your situation.

Get your Akismet API Key Here

Why it is better than the other anti-spam solutions on vBulletin.org:

• Works with all of vBulletin 4 functions including Facebook automatic registration.
• Report spammers that you find to the Stop Forum Spam Database.
• Report spammers that you find to the Akismet Database.
• Built-in Auto-moderation.
• Auto-moderation rules based on post count.
• Auto-moderation rules based keywords.
• Auto-moderation rules based Akismet results.
• Enable or disable any actions that you do not want.
• Customizable "Registration Rejected" message.
• Consolidates 4 popular methods of spam prevention into one product.
• No Manual Template Modifications!
• Lots of community support!

======================
Compatibility:
vBulletin 4.0.x

Server Requirements:
Curl or allow_url_fopen must be compiled/enabled into PHP. Ask your web host to enable curl or allow_url_fopen if it is not already available on your server's PHP configuration. (Or just host with GlowHost.com, where it already is

=====================
Donations:

If you like this mod, sure, you can donate!

Donations can be all sorts of things:
1) The "Give Thanks" option in your settings is an optional link back to GlowHost Web Hosting.
2) Tell your friends and others about this mod.
3) If you are in need of web hosting, please consider ordering it from the hosting and development professionals at GlowHost.com who were able to develop this mod to you.
4) Help others who are having trouble with this mod by posting tips and suggestions in this forum thread.
5) Cash! Use the "Support Developer" option on the top right of this page.

When you choose to donate, you are contributing to the product development, bug fixes and new releases for SOM and are helping to feed our hungry developers and their families! In other words, your donations helps to cover the time and money spent to develop this system.

The entire team at GlowHost thanks you for your help and support!

We hope you enjoy the mod! :up:

=====================
Installation:

1) Download the attached file
2) Mark As Installed
3) SOM 2.x does not support updates from the v1.x series.
When upgrading to version 2.x, please, be sure to remove any other existing version of SOM 1.x from the product manager before installing v2.x series. Also make sure to remove /forum/includes/xml/bitfield_glowhostspamomatic.xml from version 1 if you had it installed.

4) Extract the zip file, and view the readme file for the rest of the instructions.

=====================

Original concept credits go to the authors of vBStopForumSpam, MonkeyStop.

[dougdirac]

D'oh.. beat me too it.

[naomi.rosenberg]

Hi,

In the course of de-spamming, when you get to /inlinemod.php, it says "Spam-o-matic has performed the following actions" and displays a bunch of links to user profiles.

These links point to /user.php, which does not exist.

Is this a know issue?

Thanks

N

[Syxguns]

Originally Posted by naomi.rosenberg

Hi,

In the course of de-spamming, when you get to /inlinemod.php, it says "Spam-o-matic has performed the following actions" and displays a bunch of links to user profiles.

These links point to /user.php, which does not exist.

Is this a know issue?

Thanks

N

That list is new registrations, that have not ever made a post. New registrations have to post before they are considered moderated, even if you do not use the S-O-M or vB moderation of posts.

Many people register and read but never post. I have done that on a number of forums. I'm not a spammer, I just don't have any information to post.

[naomi.rosenberg]

The problem is that the links are broken. The names of those users are clickable links. The links point to a non-existent page called /user.php.

Is this a known issue or should I file a bug report?

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Syxguns

That list is new registrations, that have not ever made a post. New registrations have to post before they are considered moderated, even if you do not use the S-O-M or vB moderation of posts.

Many people register and read but never post. I have done that on a number of forums. I'm not a spammer, I just don't have any information to post.

[Syxguns]

Originally Posted by naomi.rosenberg

The problem is that the links are broken. The names of those users are clickable links. The links point to a non-existent page called /user.php.

Is this a known issue or should I file a bug report?

Thanks.

I'm not sure about that. I though the link should point to usercp.php but that doesn't seem to be correct.

I've personally never worried about that as it has to do with users that share the same IP and so forth. Maybe someone else is a little more familiar with this and could give you more detail. I don't know that submitting the issue would be something that would get fixed. There hasn't been an update on this mod in quite a while.

I just look at the list, but for the most part the information that is given may be accessed through the AdminCP if you need to do anything, but I have never messed with it. Basically the information looks like this:

Spam-O-Matic has performed the following actions:
Selected users were banned
User details were submitted to Akismet
1 thread was removed permanently
Users who have used the same IP address:
IPs used to register:
Arrigonig - Registered Users
Banotisord - Registered Users
Provop - Registered Users
Tenyri - Registered Users
ciobertga - Registered Users
tothfelty - Registered Users
anenoidonna - Registered Users
Lisyshise - Registered Users
Andvop - Registered Users
Jouggauck - Registered Users
PeciaProXX - Registered Users
_DISSERTATIONZ_ - Registered Users
Zemtreale - Registered Users
sPasqualc - Registered Users
windmetpo - Registered Users
chiphelpirl - Registered Users
sclarkalexanderd - Registered Users
JoseGuzman - Registered Users
MaxwellGalloway - Registered Users
Mutunusyswece - Registered Users
obinsirar - Registered Users
fseondenningtonm - Registered Users
tenracantec - Registered Users
cannevisound - Registered Users
unopgranap - Registered Users
Dave234 - New Member
mansonklan - Musician
Blackstone - New Member
Nighthawk - Registered Users
StephJones - New Member
sabrinaH971 - Users Awaiting Email Confirmation
prorennatrial - Users Awaiting Moderation
Inherssnant - Users Awaiting Moderation
WaiseeGiptpen - Users Awaiting Moderation
heewmedleft - Users Awaiting Email Confirmation
lsquirrelmanq - Users Awaiting Email Confirmation
AddenlyAcurce - Users Awaiting Email Confirmation
ntacibif - Users Awaiting Moderation
RRichard - Users Awaiting Moderation
gefefoela - Users Awaiting Moderation
KrevedkoMen - Users Awaiting Moderation
omivejelo - Users Awaiting Moderation
RootaJernanot - Users Awaiting Moderation
AttaftArelt - Users Awaiting Email Confirmation
chadluvv - Users Awaiting Moderation
LayevyMag - Users Awaiting Moderation
LadySovereign - Users Awaiting Moderation
PneurryinjenO - Users Awaiting Moderation
floadoanilusa - Users Awaiting Moderation
MrSmithXse - Users Awaiting Moderation
gileaxola - Users Awaiting Moderation
unernero - Users Awaiting Moderation
Fooxjize - Users Awaiting Moderation
Siglaulge - Users Awaiting Moderation
singsopesputs - Users Awaiting Moderation
cabwtobq - Users Awaiting Email Confirmation
FabiaEdric - Users Awaiting Moderation
wredgidge - Users Awaiting Moderation
Futupsems - Users Awaiting Moderation
EntsafterTest - Users Awaiting Email Confirmation
battcoaky - Users Awaiting Moderation
JosiahxSchroeder - Users Awaiting Moderation
xakep - Users Awaiting Email Confirmation
Mectexculge - Users Awaiting Moderation
capfleedema - Users Awaiting Moderation
stathebra - Users Awaiting Moderation
losimkus - Users Awaiting Email Confirmation
Owetty - Users Awaiting Moderation
narrowhead - Users Awaiting Moderation
Gaynelljenniez - Users Awaiting Moderation
aHuicaicanw - Users Awaiting Email Confirmation
JanisAvz - Users Awaiting Email Confirmation
undurnBip - Users Awaiting Moderation
jefeniniOxics - Users Awaiting Moderation
Daccusaduh - Users Awaiting Moderation
xxZUMAxx - Users Awaiting Email Confirmation
moozycoen - Users Awaiting Moderation
stecpyzbmb - Users Awaiting Email Confirmation
utedrigue - Users Awaiting Moderation

IPs used to post:
Syxguns - Administrators
Statement- - Registered Users
Singer - Registered Users
hmands - Registered Users
Nighthawk - Registered Users
Strings - Administrators
Madness! - Musician
drivecrazy - Registered Users
geekhappy - Registered Users
failtroll - Registered Users
leetoctopus - Registered Users
monkey - Registered Users
Distraction - Registered Users
The Thrill - Registered Users
Enraged - Registered Users
Be Afraid - Registered Users
psychotic_noise - Registered Users
kevin11russet - Registered Users
Azinko - Registered Users
erobbereagoli - Banned Users
Ufamu - Registered Users
Dark Mystery - Registered Users
undurnBip - Users Awaiting Moderation
Snake - Registered Users
Wallflower - Registered Users
Marsya - Registered Users
exotic - Registered Users
evergreen - Registered Users
Silver Wing - Registered Users
Golden Chair - Registered Users
mojo - Registered Users
Al Cat Raz - Registered Users
teadlyadvamma - Banned Users

The information is pretty much standard info that you should already know as an Admin of the site. This of course also depends on which modifications that you use, but I personally don't have a problem with it. Maybe someone else could help you out here.

[killerford]

I'm getting sick of the spammers on my forum and I've been directed here.. I'm hoping to use this and to stop the spammers on my forum. I've just downloaded the file and reading through the read me information and came across this at the bottom.

'* Please note, for this plugin to work, cURL must be installed on the server
or allow_url_fopen enable in PHP settings'

I don't know where or how to change or do any of those. Do I need to change one of these for this mod to work? If so could someone tell me how?

[kh99]

Originally Posted by killerford

'* Please note, for this plugin to work, cURL must be installed on the server
or allow_url_fopen enable in PHP settings'

I don't know where or how to change or do any of those. Do I need to change one of these for this mod to work? If so could someone tell me how?

You can change allow_url_fopen in the php.ini file. I think cURL is a package that has to be installed. In either case, unless you do your own server admin that would be something to ask your host about.

If you're not sure if about those settings, you can go to "View PHP Info" under Maintenance in the admincp. Under the section header "core" it should show the value for allow_url_fopen. I believe if cURL is installed it will have it's own section showing the settings for that module.

Edit: yeah, I should probably have put that second paragraph first, and started out by saying that you may not have to change anything.

[rhody401]

I suggest trying it first, to see if it's broken. Most likely those are already enabled, and it'll work fine.

I also suggest turning off the nickname check against the stopforumspam.com database. You'll get false positives from legitimate people with this option on. (default)

[fsSnowboard]

I got the following error when trying to install v2.0.2 on a fresh upgrade of vBulletin 4.2.0 PL2.

Database error in vBulletin 4.2.0:

Invalid SQL:
CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS `glowhostspamomatic_log`(
`date` DATETIME NOT NULL,
`ip` VARCHAR(15) NOT NULL,
`email` VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL,
`username` VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL,
`message` VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL,
`is_blocked` TINYINT NOT NULL DEFAULT "0",
`user_hash` VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL,
`user_id` INT NOT NULL
) TYPE=MyISAM;;

MySQL Error : You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near 'TYPE=MyISAM' at line 10

Any ideas?

[Syxguns]

Originally Posted by fsSnowboard

I got the following error when trying to install v2.0.2 on a fresh upgrade of vBulletin 4.2.0 PL2.



Any ideas?

Yes, replace TYPE=MyISAM with ENGINE=MyISAM There should be 3 instances of this in the XML file. You will need Notpad++ to view and make the changes you may download it here: Notpad++ download