Moderators Functions - One-touch Spam Ban and Cleanup

*** Staff note: The author of this modification has passed away in a diving accident. We wish his family all strength in dealing with this tragic issue. ***

One-touch Spam Ban and Cleanup




The main purpose of this mod is to clean up after a spammer. With a minimum of fuss it will:

• Delete all threads started by the spammer
• Delete all posts made by the spammer
• Delete all PMs sent to other members by the spammer
• Delete all calendar events made by the spammer
• Ban or delete the spammer as you like
• Ignore permissions - posts can be deleted in areas that a moderator may not have access to.

The option to activate this tool appears in the drop-down menu in the postbit, as well as on the profile page. From here it is a "one-touch" operation, with the small exception that you must press a confirmation button before the cleanup is made.




See the screenshot for the various options, but some of the more interesting ones are:

• You can specify individual users (in addition to groups) who can use this tool. This means certain trusted, non-moderator users could have the ability to clean up spam and ban spammers.
• You can specify users or groups who are protected - they cannot be deleted by this tool.
• By default, users who have registered more than 30 days ago are also protected from this tool (spammers tend to be caught and removed fairly soon after registration)
• You can turn the various deletion targets (threads, posts, events, PMs) on or off
• Select between hard delete or soft delete

This mod is similar to some older mods, but improved in a number of ways:

• You also have the choice to alter the standard ban and delete reasons before you press confirm.
• Deletes more types of spam (PMs, events)
• Simple, quick, effective
• Single file import (.xml) no file edits, no template edits, no .php files to upload
• Should work on all versions of 3.6.x and future versions

Installation

Download and import the .xml file via AdminCP -> Plugins & Products -> Manage Products -> Add/Import Product. Remember to click overwrite if upgrading

Configuration

Once installed, check in your AdminCP under "VBulletin settings" and look for the configuration group called "One-touch Spam Ban & Cleanup Options". The default options should be fine for most people.

How to use

If you have rights to use this tool (i.e. are an admin or moderator, or have configured it for the relevant user or group ID) you should see the option appear on the member profile page, or in a drop-down on the postbit (see attached screenshots for an example). The idea is that as soon as you see a spammer select the "One-touch Ban & Clean" option to remove all trace of the spammer.

Support




Support will be given to those who have:

• Read these instructions (and followed them) and
• Clicked install

Version history

1.0 - initial version (28.08.2007)
1.1 - security fix (21.09.2007)
1.2b - Beta Fix to work with vb3.7.0 (20.05.2008)

[blind-eddie]

Is there any way to undo a delete of a member done in error, He had over 15,000 Threads & Post, vast amounts of info. One of our Admins did unknowingly. Please help me out, Thanks, Tim

[ETDC]

^ I doubt this plugin did that. By default, after 30 days I think it is, accounts become protected against its use.

Nope - someone used the regular delete function... cue horror music!

You might want to speak to whoever hosts your board. Maybe, you can retreive it from the database. I doubt it though.

[blind-eddie]

Yep, I will install a backup of my site from this morning then, no problem...Thanks for your help though.

I backup my site 2 times a day, plus my host backs it up every day....

[skippybosco]

Our site has tried to take a stance to remove barriers of entry by not currently implementing captcha and email authentication. So far (knock on wood) we've been very fortunate to have a low rate of spam among our 2,000+ active users but a tool like this certainly helps when one does creep in.

I've been using http://www.stopforumspam.com as a means to validate and report spam on my site and while manual today, has been quite useful. It basically is a central database of known username, email and IPs that have been connected to SPAM behavior. They do have an API, however, for PUTs and GETs which could automate the process.

What do you guys think about implementing a hook into One-Touch (or potentially a new mod altogether perhaps?).. I'm imagining it could work one of many ways:

1) Regular cron that updates the Ban or restrict IP , usernmae or email with known Spammers
2) On registration a check is made against IP, email and/or username and based on configuration can block or add to a different user group.
3) On post a check is made against IP, email and/or username and based on configuration can block or require moderation of the post.
4) When a SPAM user or Post does make it through and you need to Ban via One Touch, the details of the user information are sent to the central database so that other forum members can benefit by the early detection.

[JtChurch925]

This mod definitely looks like quality stuff, I only wish I could use it.
I have MySQL 4.0.27, a fact which I now regret, but as I am a little hesitant to go upgrading the database of my live site for fear of having the whole thing crash, I had to find an alternative to One-touch.

I found the Spam Decimator mentioned earlier in this thread, and it actually works with earlier versions of MySQL. It also says that it is a vB 3.5 plug, but it seems to work ok with my 3.6.8 forum.

So just an FYI to those that find they are unable to use this fine plug, there is another that will work.

[skippybosco]

FYI, I went from 4.0.27 to 5.x as part of a Host move recently with no ill effects. Set up a test server and do a dry run of the import before you do your live site and you just may be ok.

[Sarthek]

Hi, looks like promising. Will give it a try soon.

One question though. Is it possible to give an option to input preset password to confirm deletetion. I dont want to see delete member with 15.000 posts by accident, or if someone gets into forum with admin account to make unrevertable damage.

[thompson]

sounds good.

[needaltuna]

Thanks for the top mod.

[wragge11]

Installed - Thanks!