Anti-Spam Options - Rename register.php by BOP5

Brought to you by BirdOPrey5 / Qapla.com

It's great when you stop spam bots during registration but this mod gives you a chance to stop them BEFORE they even attempt to register.

I have received multiple reports from people who say their "register.php" was getting hammered with spam requests- so much so it was like a denial of service attack. Even if they disabled registration they would waste so much resources their site was slow or worse- had to be taken offline.

What this mod does is allow you to rename the register.php file- my theory is many of the vBulletin spamming bots are hard coded to look for register.php. Using a unique name will throw them off, at least for a while.

To manually change the name of register.php would have meant dozens, maybe hundreds of manual edits to files and templates previously.

This mod makes it as simple as possible. At worst you will need to edit 2 phrases and 1 file, and some people don't need to edit anything at all.

Compatible with VB 3.8.x (and 3.7, and 3.6 probably too) and all VB 4.x.x versions.

Basic Instructions
1) Import XML File
2) Go to mod settings in Admin CP
3) Rename your register.php file via FTP or some other means- make it a unique value but only use basic letters, numbers, underscores, or hyphens. Something like "joeregister999.php"
4) In the mod settings, set the value of register.php to the new file name you chose.
5) If you require email verification during registration follow the next setting in the Admin CP and edit the phrases listed (activateaccount and activateaccount_chnage phrases in Email Body)
6) Finally, if you use Facebook Connect on your forum make the manual file edit of class_bootstrap.php as instructed.

Now enjoy your new filename for register.php, I hope it reduces server load and spam in general.

------------------------------------------------------

Please "Mark as Installed" if you use this.
Donations always appreciated. :up:
Nominate MOTM if you LOVE it!

----

Note- if having problems sending activation codes or other Admin CP related activities use the solution in post #197.

[BirdOPrey5]

I too would be interested if anyone else is seeing birthdays not come through.

[ru55ian]

love this mod... thanks

[BirdOPrey5]

Thanks, please click on the 'mark as installed' box.

[mefromspace]

I installed this and like...Does this work with spam o matic too?

[Bubble #5]

Originally Posted by mefromspace

I installed this and like...Does this work with spam o matic too?

I have both installed and it seems to be OK. The only other hack that you need to be aware of is the advanced registration hack, because the invites address also needs to be changed. Found that out yesterday

[fly]

This is amazing. I was getting hammered with registrations.

[DemOnstar]

Saw this today..

http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/forum...d-to-send-spam

If you don't have access to vB.com, basically it is a post that suggests the register.php is being used as an exploit.

"My Hosting says vbulletin register.php can be injected to send spam".

Changed the name using this mod...

Thanks again....

[smirkley]

I think that as unverified, and one persons report.

I think its an open relay on his server, but I could be wrong.

edit to add: I am wrong about the relay, host verified. But I am not yet suspect of the register.php module.

[DemOnstar]

Originally Posted by smirkley

I think that as unverified, and one persons report.

I think its an open relay on his server, but I could be wrong.

Safer than sorry..

I think the mod was developed for a purpose..

[Bubble #5]

Was looking at our plug in section today and noticed that this one was turned off. I don't remember doing it. Is it turned off by default? Can someone see if there's is turned off also? Thanks.