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]

Have you edited the registration template at all? Try manually adding $nospamfield above the CAPTCHA code in the register template.

[noreturn]

Like I mentioned this is not my forte. Can you please give me a little better direction on "above" what code in the register template?
I searched for the word CAPTCHA but that did not come up.
Sorry.

[F34R]

Just installed this on 3.5.4... we'll see how it goes lol. Thanks for the script.

[antialiasis]

I was actually talking to AddHandler, not you, noreturn. I asked you if you haven't definitely turned the NoSpam! system on.

[noreturn]

Hi....sorry for misunderstanding there.
I have it off now because there was only the field for answer showing up and not the question. But yes, I have had it on and the question does not appear for me in the quick registration. In the regular registration it does appear when I have it turned on. At post number 26 I showed that it was on, but no question displayed in front of the answer box.

[antialiasis]

Hmm.

Well, this is certainly very strange, because for some reason it does not appear to be setting those variables, which it should do if that plugin is running, which it should do if the system is turned on. :/

If it were happening on my forum, I'd do some more debugging, but I really can't tell you to change everything I can think of for experimentation at your own active forum... and it's running absolutely fine with Quick Register on my 3.5.7 test forum. :/ Any suggestions from coders on what could be going wrong here would be very welcome.

[KipLarson]

9 days without a single bot registration.

NoSpam! = Amazing (and easy for users to register as well)

[ThunderVamp9]

I'm also having a problem with this one. I have installed the mod with no errors, all apears to be OK, but I don't see the question OR an answer box, as shown in problem1.jpg.

However, the mod is active, as shows in problem2.jpg, which you get after going through the registration.

Any ideas why it doesn't show up at all?

[antialiasis]

Try putting $nospamfield into the register template above $imagereg.

[ThunderVamp9]

I'm looking through the register template and don't see a $imagereg anywhere. Am I missing something? What I see is:

<if condition="$show['regimagecheck']">
<fieldset class="fieldset">
	<legend>$vbphrase[image_verification]</legend>
	<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="$stylevar[formspacer]" border="0">
		<tr>
			<td>
				$vbphrase[enter_text_image_right]
			</td>
			<td rowspan="2"><img src="image.php?$session[sessionurl]type=regcheck&amp;imagehash=$imagehash" alt="$vbphrase[registration_image]" width="201" height="61" border="0" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td><input type="text" class="bginput" name="imagestamp" size="50" maxlength="6" /><input type="hidden" name="imagehash" value="$imagehash" /></td>
		</tr>
		</table>
	</fieldset>
</if>