Anti-Spam Options - Hostname or Useragent Registration Ban

THIS ADD-ON IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND IS NOT SUPPORTED

This is an add-on that is designed with vBulletin 4.1.5. It may not work on earlier versions of vBulletin. It is known to be working on vB versions 3.8.7, 4.0.7 and 4.1.5 through 4.2.0. I don't know if it is compatable with all versions of vB or not.

On my site, I receive quite a few PMs asking me how I prevent spam from being posted there. While I can't release everything I use because some of it is server based (external from vBulletin), I can release one of the lines of defense that I use.

This mod allows you to ban Hostnames and Useragents from registering on your site.

If a hostname or useragent contains any of the words you specify and they are trying to register, they are presented with an error telling them they are forbidden from registering on your site. And no registration screen ever appears.

In the event the hostname is blank, a WHOIS can be performed to establish the identity of the system being used to register.

The 'External Content' pulled by this mod is only the WHOIS information when that is enabled.

WARNING: This mod has the potential of banning humans from registering. Choose what words you use carefully.

Personally, I am not very concerned about banning an occasional human from registering. So, from time to time my system may ban a human that uses an anonymous proxy.

NOTE: This mod has a 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' clause. Please don't post telling people what words to ban. We don't need spammers getting around this mod by reading posts telling them what is being filtered.

REQUIREMENTS: In order for the WHOIS function used in this mod to work properly, your server must have OPENSSL installed.


* INSTALLATION *
---------------------
1) Upload the contents of the 'upload' folder to your forum's root.
(If your forum's location is http://www.example.com/forums/, the root is /forums/)

2) Import the product XML file (product-hostusercheck.xml) into the Product Manager in AdminCP.

3) Take some time to set the options in ACP->Settings->Options->Prevent Hostname or Useragent from Registering.

4) Be sure to turn on the mod when setting options in ACP->Settings->Options->Prevent Hostname or Useragent from Registering.



* History (Changelog) *
-----------------------------
1.0.3 (December 12, 2013)
- Fix hostname not being checked under certain circumstances.

1.0.2 (March 1, 2012)
- Fix error on registration page when Useragent or Hostname to ban is blank.

1.0.1 (February 24, 2012)
- Wrong hook being used for one of the plugins.

1.0.0 (January 22, 2012)
- Public Release

[ozzy47]

You will find this is a invaluable tool on your site.

[adwade]

Quick question: If netzip is entered as a useragent to be blocked, will that also block NetZIP and NetZip?(i.e. Are the useragent names case sensitive in order to work for all occurrences?)

Also, what about Mata Hari vs. Mata.Hari ? If only Mata Hari is entered as the useragent, will that catch Mata.Hari as well?

[nhawk]

Originally Posted by adwade

Quick question: If netzip is entered as a useragent to be blocked, will that also block NetZIP and NetZip?(i.e. Are the useragent names case sensitive in order to work for all occurrences?)

Also, what about Mata Hari vs. Mata.Hari ? If only Mata Hari is entered as the useragent, will that catch Mata.Hari as well?

Useragents are not case sensitive.

Mata Hari will only catch Mata Hari, not Mata.Hari.

[markoroots]

Originally Posted by nhawk

All you had to do was put something to ban in both the Useragent field and the Hostname field.

The error was because one of those fields was blank.

I'll see about a fix for that soon.

EDIT: Fix released today (version 1.0.2)

Hi guys,
too me I have the same problem? What I can do to fix it.
I have installed the 3.0.1 version of the mod.

[nhawk]

Originally Posted by markoroots

Hi guys,
too me I have the same problem? What I can do to fix it.
I have installed the 3.0.1 version of the mod.

You should not be having the same problem with version 1.0.3.

But try putting something in both the Useragent field and the Hostname field to see if your problem stops.

[markoroots]

Hi Nhawk and thanks for your reply.
In the Hostname box is just full of host names.
The Useragent box is empy. What I can add?
Have you a list of useragents please?

[nhawk]

Originally Posted by markoroots

Hi Nhawk and thanks for your reply.
In the Hostname box is just full of host names.
The Useragent box is empy. What I can add?
Have you a list of useragents please?

Just add the word proxy

[markoroots]

Inside the Mod?
Is a new release?

[nhawk]

Originally Posted by markoroots

Inside the Mod?
Is a new release?

I don't understand what you're asking now.

You asked what to add to the Useragent box and I answered that.

[markoroots]

Ahhh sorry...
I thought you have added something in the mod. sorry...

I go to try.