Automatic Spammer Moderator (witchcraft)

[StepOnFrog]

I spotted a way to, possibly, futher stop spammers, or, at least, cause them many problems.... it'd make a great mod, too!

Firstly, what I'm after, and I'm sure everyone else would be, is something that places all new registrations into a database table (eg, vb_spammers, etc.)

If a new registration succeeds the CAPTCHA image process on the first attempt, username and details into the memberlist tables, etc;
If a new registration fails the CAPTCHA image process, then the username, IP, eMail, etc., are all marked as SPAMMER;
If a new registration fails the CAPTCHA, and then succeeds within the same cookie session, then mark as POSSIBLE SPAMMER;
If a new registration fails that CAPTCHA, and then succeeds in cookie session that differs from the first attempt, then mark as SPAMMER;

Then, if a username that is marked as either SPAMMER, or POSSIBLE SPAMMER, makes a post, that post should be moved into a moderated queue, where it can be highlighted for Admins, SuperMods, or Mods to deal with.

An automatic Spam Prevention system. It'd be like your vBulletin system was doing Witchcraft.

Imagine it; a SpamBot attempts to register on your board, then the human equivalent comes back another time to complete the CAPTCHA process, where the BOT couldn't, then Witchcraft happens inside your vBulletin software, and the spammer thinks he/she(s) registered without a hitch. But, when the Spammer comes to post, it's already flagged and monitored even before they can mess up your board.!

I've tried asking for help around vB.com, but to no avail. See here --> http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=276686

I think a lot of people are having trouble separating this idea from the process of creating a list of spammers. Please note, the intention of this MOD is not to provide a shared list of Spammer usernames, IPs, eMails, domains or suchlike, it is an attempt to prevent the spammer from posting on your board from the moment they register - far much more than a simple shared list can do.

Shared lists can only be used once the Spammer has registered and posted on your board, and, therefore, have already done the damage.

This MOD requesst is an attempt to prevent the Spammer from the moment they try to register their username on your board.

I had spotted the potential for a pre-spam moderator MOD whilst using the TRACK GUEST VISITS Mod by Paul M. His MOD actually lists the activities performed on the registraton page. Obviously, SpamBots attempt a registration with a username, eMail, etc., but obviously fail the CAPTCHA process, and this is where their information can be logged, and later moderated.

[scottjames84]

I use a similar method after getting alot of the WOW Gold spammers on my forum.

When someone registers with the forum they can start posting right away but their posts are moderated; when their 1st post gets approved by the moderators they are moved automatically to another membergroup using the promotions where their posts are no longer moderated before going live.

It isnt flawless but it works :-D.. and hey isnt that what counts :-P

Scott

[StepOnFrog]

Yeah, it's a way to moderate spammers, but what I don't want to do is moderate all members from their first post; I just don't believe in moderating posts at all, which causes me headaches when I have to moderate Spammers.!

The obvious solution would be to moderate members who have had problems with the CAPTCHA process on registration, as this is where the Spammers and SpamBots tend to have problems. :up:

It seems, to me, a straight forward and simple thing to do, and I would do it myself if I knew how to code PHP and vB templates. I just don't understand why anyone hasn't jumped on the chance to write this MOD.

:-D
step

[Wired1]

Check out the vBStopForumSpam mod here. Works great, and keeps a log of the registration process.