Miscellaneous Hacks - Stop the Registration Bots

Control your vBulletin forum registration process and stop the registration bots.

This mod will check the the time it takes for a vBulletin registration form to be submitted. If the form is submitted faster then humanly possible, the registration will be denied and the admin contact will be emailed about the event. The time is settable

We will start the registration on the forum rules page in two ways. First we will add a custom hidden field with a hash. Second we will insert a randomly named hidden field with a random value. This should make it a bit difficult to program a bot since the field names on all sites will be different as well as the values.

We will use a second set of random hidden fields on the form page as well to add to the confusion.

Time stamps to check the time spent on registration submission are stored in a DB table and private.

A registration will have to come through the Rules page and the form. Every Site will be different.

Installation is very easy.

There are two templates to edit.
One database table is added.
Three hooks are utilized.
Includes uninstall code.
Adds to vBulletin options.
Set time frame option.
Includes Phrases.
Sends Mail to Admin.
No files to upload.
XML product install.
Instructions attached in zip.

Demo usage and view source at http://www.riderinfo.com/

Compatibility
This hack is known to work on vBulletin 3.6.11 PL1 and will likely work back a few versions in the 3.6.x vBulletin series. Of course it works on 3.7.x as posted too.

HISTORY
1.2.2
added admin email on/off setting
moved hook code to files to reduce overhead.
1.2.1
Added Enable/Disable setting.
Fixed coppa includes file probem
Added file upload instructions to readme file.
1.2.0
Added JS timer to registration button.
Added enable/diable for email.
Removed ACP settings for random fields on rules and reg form pages and automated.
Reworded Pharses in ACP.
Recoded rules form and reg form edits.
Renamed variables for better code following.
Added more DB fields per user reg for tracking random automation.
New Hook on start_registration for functions.
Added new functions file. includes/stb_functions.php.
1.0.3
Changed input user name on rules form to random named hidden field with hash value.
Removed \n chars from email phrases.
All changes to registration are transparent to the folks registering.
Renamed DB username field to hash.
New hook on register_signup.
1.0.2
Added new Pre Reg Name hidden field to register form edits and ACP.
Added code to deal transparently with user deciding to change name after pre submitting it.
1.0.1
Fixed typo, changed 36000 to 3600 in product file.
1.0.0
Original Release.

[GrossKopf]

This is a fantastic mod. Since installing it, I've stopped dozens of attempted bots. Combine it with the advanced registration mod, and you will stop the bots cold!

[Kottonmouth801]

?
Would this mod be considered "needed" for 3.8.2 ?

Or is it included with 3.8.2

I am very interested in this mod.

?

[TheLastSuperman]

Originally Posted by Kottonmouth801

?
Would this mod be considered "needed" for 3.8.2 ?

Or is it included with 3.8.2

I am very interested in this mod.

?

YES

And if you notice one or two that registered after a few weeks simply change the hidden values for this mod in admincp --> vbulletin options --> Stop the Registration Bot options etc. I change them once weekly after one or two got by and then no problems if I change it weekly, not one bot yet however realize this is not permanent, nothing is or ever will be as they keep getting more advanced (bots) just like our methods, it's a race to see who can get what they want quicker.

I have found on 3.6 and 3.8 I have had no problems installing this but another board which was 3.7 had it refreshing the register page once submitted instead of redirecting properly so FYI there is an issue for some people on 3.7 forums but that could be due to past installed bot mods and just conflicting so it should not represent a bug of this actual mod.

S-MAN

[Kottonmouth801]

Thanks for the advise and the "heads" up...

I will definitly keep all you have stated in mind...

I am preparing to test this on a test board now.

I will keep you posted on the results.

FYI... "Superman"

I plan to check some of your modifications out...

There was a few in your list that caught my eye....

:up:

[Kottonmouth801]

:up: Kottonmouth801 Marks as Installed. :up:

[TheLastSuperman]

Originally Posted by Kottonmouth801

Thanks for the advise and the "heads" up...

I will definitly keep all you have stated in mind...

I am preparing to test this on a test board now.

I will keep you posted on the results.

FYI... "Superman"

I plan to check some of your modifications out...

There was a few in your list that caught my eye....

:up:

Good to hear, all are supported so if I do not reply promptly well... read the sig

Also a new one soon and when I say new ohh man do I mean it's going to make you all go wow I just received confirmation from the developer last week to implement with vb but have been busy w/ paid requests so hang tight!

Ohh and glad to see you got this working and remember to change those values in admincp every week or if you forget every other week etc, I know what you said above but better to pund it in your head ahead of time

S-MAN

[rross]

I followed the installation instructions, however I am lost onece I reach the Fifth step??? I can't find Product Manager Add/Import. Please help.

[TheLastSuperman]

Admincp --> Pugins & Products --> Manage Products

Now look on the right for the link... [Add/Import Product]

Clcik it and upload the file from your computer where you unzipped the mod.

Now go into Admincp --> vBulletin Options --> Stop the Registration Bots Options etc etc and set your options, change those pre-configured hash codes using up to 8 letters or numbers and save.

S-MAN

[Wired1]

Thought about implementing something where a cron job runs every 2 weeks or so automatically changing those fields?

[rross]

In the xml folder that is found within the includes folder, there is no file called product. However, there are 6 other xml files. Please advise. Thank you for your help!