Loads of spam users lately.

[JoeBOBBillyTed]

Here are a couple of ideas.

#1 change the questions in the to be something that is more difficult to guess, and change the questions often. Try something like What is larger a bus or a car. Don't do things like math questions as these can be created.

#2 Make sure you require email validation, some of these bots do not do email validations

#3 For new users, put there messages in a queue that you have to approve. This will not stop the problem, but will hide it from non-staff.

#4 Check for patterns in the registrations, for instance I had an issue with someone and they put TEST in some fields, this could be stopped by blocking registrations with TEST in any field.

#5 Require that accounts be authorized to post

#6 There is a hack that allows for you to prevent people from posting links / images until so many posts. Install this and set to a low number like 4-5.

#7 add their urls to bad word filter

That is a good start, if you do that, they will give up.

[Danny_HR]

Actually today was a very clear day for me. Since the enabling of reCaptcha i have had none spammers registered.
Thanks to everyone for their replies.

[Dismounted]

Also, see Forum Robot Spam Prevention Recommendations.

[SimvD]

Originally Posted by JoeBOBBillyTed

Here are a couple of ideas.

#1 change the questions in the to be something that is more difficult to guess, and change the questions often. Try something like What is larger a bus or a car. Don't do things like math questions as these can be created.

#2 Make sure you require email validation, some of these bots do not do email validations

#3 For new users, put there messages in a queue that you have to approve. This will not stop the problem, but will hide it from non-staff.

#4 Check for patterns in the registrations, for instance I had an issue with someone and they put TEST in some fields, this could be stopped by blocking registrations with TEST in any field.

#5 Require that accounts be authorized to post

#6 There is a hack that allows for you to prevent people from posting links / images until so many posts. Install this and set to a low number like 4-5.

#7 add their urls to bad word filter

That is a good start, if you do that, they will give up.

1). OK I did that

2). Done.

3). I've set up all new registrations to go into moderation, but they can't post for us to approve them. I've gone through the settings several times for the Users Awaiting Moderation usergroup, and I have no idea why thats not working. What are the settings to set this up properly? This seems like exactly what we need, but my settings are obviously not right.

4). OK looking into that.

5). What do you mean by this? Similar to moderating new users?

6). Where can I find this for v 3.6.8?

7). Yes, I've been doing that along with not allowing certain words in usertitles, and that sort of thing...

All great suggestions. If anyone can help me with getting new posts into a moderation queue, I would appreciate it!

Also, Are there any ReCaptcha/human verification options available for v3.6.8?

Thank you all!

[Dismounted]

reCAPTCHA was not included in the standard package until 3.7. However, there is a modification that adds this functionality in 3.6. Use the search feature.

[Danny_HR]

When you are in vB control panel, go to vB options, and then to Human Verification Options.

You should have several options there:

Disabled
Image Verification
Question & Answer Verification
reCAPTCHA™

Pick reCAPTCHA and you are almost set.
Go here, http://recaptcha.net/api/getkey?app=vBulletin and register for the key and that is it.

Havent had any spam since.

[JoeBOBBillyTed]

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=123002

Install that to prevent them from posting links

I did the queue with usergroups and promotions.

I made a usergroup called New User. Set it to put all threads/posts into a queue.
I made another group called User.
I then made a promotion

I believe that is all available in the admin area by default, but it may be a hack I have installed.

On the users not being able to post, make sure you check the box yes for Can Post Threads. And then lower you will see Follow Forum Moderation Rules put NO for that one.