NoSpam! for vBulletin 3.5

This hack, originally for 3.6, has now finally been fully converted to proper 3.5 format, where it will undoubtedly be even more useful than on 3.6, given the stronger default CAPTCHA protection in 3.6.

Note that this was tested on 3.5.7. If you have an older version and it is not working (or, in fact, if you have 3.5.7 and it's not working), please post in the hack thread at vBulletin.org with the details of what is working, what is not working, and what version you do have.

The method by which this version prevents guests from using Quick Search (to save them from getting a confusing "You answered the NoSpam! question incorrectly" message when they attempt it) is considerably less elegant than on 3.6 where it uses the simple $show['quicksearch'] switch which was only added in 3.6, but it works. Any pointers on improving it would be very much appreciated, however.

To quote from the other thread:

This simple hack is meant as a replacement for the default CAPTCHA system in vBulletin. There are two main reasons one might want to do this: firstly, new technology is constantly being developed to crack CAPTCHA images and make spam accounts anyway, and secondly, the more secure the CAPTCHA, the more difficult it is for genuine users to tell what the numbers in the image are. There is also the issue of visually impaired users, and the fact that not all servers are capable of generating CAPTCHA images.

So what does this hack do instead? It asks a question. Any question you want. That's the best part: YOU make up the questions, which means that every forum is unique, which means that it is impossible for spambots to be simply programmed to bypass it at all forums with the hack installed. You can make one or many questions - if you make many, the hack will pick one at random when a guest attempts to register, search, post or send mail through the Contact Us form. Their input is compared with your specified answer, and voil?, if they get it right they're pretty much guaranteed to be human. If they get it wrong, they're given an error message.

It doesn't have to be a complicated question. Heck, you can just make it "Please type 'blah' into this box." Or you can go with inserting a simple image with HTML and ask what is shown on the image. Or you can ask them to tell you two plus two. It's up to you. In fact, this can also be used as a means of forcing people to read the rules by asking for a certain password found there, or if your forum focuses on a specialized subject, ask a question concerning the subject that all your genuine users will be able to answer, but a random troll or "CAPTCHA-sweatshop-reader" will be scratching their head over.

It's simple to install, too: just one product to import, and that's it.


VERSION HISTORY:

3.0: Added functionality to allow users to specify which pages should use NoSpam!.
2.0: Extended the NoSpam! functionality to guest posts, guest searches and guest "Contact Us" in addition to registration. First 3.5 release.
1.1: Made template edit in 3.6 automatic (with thanks to Cole2026), added ability to have more than one answer to each question, and made answers case insensitive. To upgrade, I recommend undoing the template edit so you won't have to worry about it anymore (replace $nospamfield in the template register with $imagereg, or if you added $nospamfield above $imagereg, just remove $nospamfield altogether), and then reimport the product through the Admin CP (making sure that Allow Overwrite is set to On).
1.0: Initial 3.6 release.


INSTALLATION:

1. Import product-nospam-35.xml through the Admin CP product manager.
2. Go to your vBulletin options in the Admin CP and select NoSpam! Settings. Once there, turn the system on and input your questions and answers according to the instructions there.

The system should now be functional and running.


UNINSTALLATION:

Just uninstall the product through the Admin CP.


SUPPORT:

Full support will be given in this thread. All suggestions are welcome.

Thank you and please click "Mark as Installed" if you like it.

[antialiasis]

Hmm...

Can you give exactly what you put into the questions and answers field?

[noreturn]

Sure. And thanks for your help looking at what I have messed up

[antialiasis]

Can you please give me the full text of your "Generate and insert NoSpam! question" plugin on global_start?

[noreturn]

Thanks. Here it is.

if ($vbulletin->options['nospam_onoff'] AND !$vbulletin->userinfo['userid'])
{
   $nospamdo = true;
   switch (THIS_SCRIPT) {
      case 'register':
         $vbulletin->templatecache['register'] = str_replace('".(($show[\'regimagecheck\']) ? ("', '$nospamfield

".(($show[\'regimagecheck\']) ? ("', $vbulletin->templatecache['register']);
         break;
      case 'sendmessage':
         $vbulletin->templatecache['contactus'] = str_replace('			</fieldset>
			
			<div class=\"fieldset\">', '			</fieldset>
			$nospamfield
			<div class=\"fieldset\">', $vbulletin->templatecache['contactus']);
         break;
      case 'search':
         $vbulletin->templatecache['search_forums'] = str_replace('	</table>
	
	<div align=\"$stylevar[left]\">', '<tr><td colspan=\"2\" align=\"$stylevar[left]\">$nospamfield</td></tr>
	</table>
	
	<div align=\"$stylevar[left]\">', $vbulletin->templatecache['search_forums']);
         break;
      case 'newreply':
         $vbulletin->templatecache['newreply'] = str_replace('<!-- / message area -->', '<!-- / message area -->

$nospamfield', $vbulletin->templatecache['newreply']);
         break;
      case 'newthread':
         $vbulletin->templatecache['newthread'] = str_replace('<!-- / message area -->', '<!-- / message area -->

$nospamfield', $vbulletin->templatecache['newthread']);
         break;
      default:
         $nospamdo = false;
   }






   
      $questions = explode("\n",$vbulletin->options['nospam_questions']);
      $nospamnumber = array_rand($questions);
      $qanda = explode(":",$questions["$nospamnumber"]);
      $nospamquestion = $qanda[0];
      if ($nospamdo) {
      eval('$nospamfield = "' . fetch_template('nospam') . '";');



   }
   $vbulletin->templatecache['navbar'] = str_replace('<input type=\"text\" class=\"bginput\" name=\"query\" size=\"20\" />&nbsp;$gobutton', '$vbphrase[guests_cannot_use_quicksearch]', $vbulletin->templatecache['navbar']);
   if (THIS_SCRIPT == 'forumdisplay') {
      $vbulletin->templatecache['FORUMDISPLAY'] = str_replace('<input type=\"text\" class=\"bginput\" name=\"query\" size=\"20\" />$gobutton', '$vbphrase[guests_cannot_use_quicksearch]', $vbulletin->templatecache['FORUMDISPLAY']);
   }
   else if (THIS_SCRIPT == 'showthread') {
      $vbulletin->templatecache['SHOWTHREAD'] = str_replace('<input type=\"text\" class=\"bginput\" name=\"query\" size=\"20\" />$gobutton', '$vbphrase[guests_cannot_use_quicksearch]', $vbulletin->templatecache['SHOWTHREAD']);
   }
}

[antialiasis]

Odd...

Okay, this is getting kind of long-winded, but would you mind doing a little experiment for me since I'm unable to replicate this on my test forum? Go to the quickregister template and change the $nospamquestion that you put in to, in turn, $questions[0], $nospamnumber and $qanda[0], for each one writing down what appears in the template where the question should be (if anything). Post the results here (or PM them to me, whichever you prefer).

[noreturn]

I am not sure, is this what you wanted me to try?

<if condition="$vbulletin->options['nospam_onoff']">
    
    <br>$questions[0]<input type="text" class="bginput" name="nospam" value="Answer here" onFocus="value=''" size="20" /> <input type="hidden" name="nospamnumber" value="$qanda[0]" />
  </if>

And then show you this attached?

[antialiasis]

You don't need to attach it; just tell me whether anything appears or not. Try $nospamnumber, too.

[noreturn]

Nope, nothing should up yet.

[antialiasis]

Hmm. o_O The NoSpam! system is turned on, right?

[AddHandler]

It won't work in version 3.5.4 either....
Nothing shows up for the question...
I do not have QUICK REGISTER INSTALLED.......

I get an error telling me I answered the question WRONG...
because the question does not show up at all...

So it is UNISNTALL TIME and Back To The Drawing Board for me....

Thanks any way....