Detecting registration bots

[kjkoster]

Dear All,

I have noticed recently that the automated spammer registrations use fairly predictable patterns. I am wondering if anyone has used such patterns to kill their tools?

First is that their tools only request the precise pages they need. The style sheets and images are not requested at all.

Second is that one of their tools always use the date jan 1st 1980 as their date of birth.

1) Are there any mods that use this information to poop the spamtools?

2) What would you think of a mod that checks that certain images are actually downloaded before the user can register to the site?

Kees Jan