Add-On Releases - SpamBuster: Identify, log and remove spam posts on your forum

This is the v3.6 version of SpamBuster that I wrote for vBulletin v3.5.x This version is mainly bug fixes.

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 have any problems I recommend removing the product then installing it from scratch.

How can I test it?
Try posting a new thread/post with some trigger values in it. The string cialis 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.


click to donate


This software is licenced under the CC-GNU LGPL.


Changelog

• 8th November 2007 - v1.1.2 - New thread redirect bug fixed
• 14th August 2007 - v1.1.1 - Multiple post bug fix
• 13th August 2007 - v1.1.0 - Important bug fixes, updated rules file
• 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.

[Mrdby]

but if i set this to yes..would this alert and remove all sites i have listed with.com? or even myspace?

[UK Jimbo]

Originally Posted by Mrdby

but if i set this to yes..would this alert and remove all sites i have listed with.com? or even myspace?

I have no idea what you're talking about!

[Mrdby]

me either..let me test this..lol i mean..should i see both of the sections set at 10? because they stated if it equal or greater..it would be considered spam based on post right? because I want people with 5 or less post...that post links should be considered as spam.lol

[UK Jimbo]

Originally Posted by Mrdby

me either..let me test this..lol i mean..should i see both of the sections set at 10? because they stated if it equal or greater..it would be considered spam based on post right? because I want people with 5 or less post...that post links should be considered as spam.lol

nope. Still no idea.

[Njm]

nice ......

[UK Jimbo]

I've noticed that some of the URL based rules (.jp, .no, etc) need a bit of refining as they'll incorrectly match stuff like myimage.jpeg

It'll be a pretty easy regexp fix, I'll take a look when I get a chance.

[BobbyBig]

Please integrate PM Spam too.
There are serios problems with people spaming URL via the PM System to other Users.

It also should be configurable for Usergroups and Forums.

regards

[UK Jimbo]

PM spam is something I've luckily not seen to much of on the forum I work with. It's an interesting feature but begs some privacy issues if the moderators are able to read the users' "private" messages. I'd be interested to hear peoples' thoughts on this one. One idea I had was that if SpamBuster thought a PM was spam then it either put some text at the beginning of the PM making it easy for the user to report it or it kept a count of spam PMs per user and then flagged it up when they reached a threshold.

Worth nothing that if PM spam is a problem you could disable PM functionality until a user has reached a given number of posts on the forum.

I've seen the "configurable by forum" request which is something I'll build into a future release. Can you explain how or why you'd want it configurable by usergroup?

[Mecho]

Hi ,
I think there is problem that u should fix it somehow . for example A*al is not allowed so if a user use Analog ! their post will be report ! is there anyway that we can set the Exact words or ... ???

thanks

[jmottle]

I installed the plugin, but when you try to make a new post that triggers the spam filter you get this message:

Invalid Thread specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the administrator

If you reply to an existing post then it just goes back to that thread and does nto show the post as it has been hidden. Is there a way to perhaps have the message say that their post has triggered a spam filter and will be reviewed by an administrator before it is posted?

Cheers,
Jeff