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.

[Fitone]

I installed the product however the questions are not showing up on the registration page. It is saying however, that I answered the No Spam questions wrong when I fill out the page and hit submit.

Any suggestions?

[Thinkinstein]

I have no spam hack installed on 3.5.4 without using the default question.

a few hours ago I have several spam bots registered and spammed my forum. One of robots called " ZahyipaZ", the other called "ShellyFew"

How can it be possible to spam?

[Tinbendr]

Installed on 3.5.3 with no problems.

Misunderstood the yes/no to enable. Took me a couple of days for the statement to sink in.

Maybe instead of...

If you would like to disable the NoSpam! system, please select No here.

which is a double negative to me, you could simplify it with...

NoSpam Enable/Disable

And have the checkboxes state Enable/Disable.

Great mod! Went from 10-15 a day down to zero.

Thanks!

[Digital Jedi]

Originally Posted by Tinbendr

Installed on 3.5.3 with no problems.

Misunderstood the yes/no to enable. Took me a couple of days for the statement to sink in.

Maybe instead of...

If you would like to disable the NoSpam! system, please select No here.

which is a double negative to me, you could simplify it with...

NoSpam Enable/Disable

And have the checkboxes state Enable/Disable.

That probably would clear up some confusion. Though, it should be pointed out that that sentence ("If you would like to disable the NoSpam! system, please select No here.") is merely the description. The yes/no is in response to the heading which asks: "Enable NoSpam!?"



So far this seems to be working for me. I'm having trouble with the CAPTCHA images showing up, but that seems to be a problem on my end and nothing to do with this mod. Thanks for developing this. While I'm sure there will be forums out there that will be plagued with spammers trying to desperately circumvent their systems, a more mid-size forum like mine will benefit greatly from this. In fact, with the amount of automated spam we get, this should put a stop to it altogether.

[rprante]

I just installed NoSpam on vBulletin 3.5.4 - no errors on the install, I'm seeing the question prompt and answer box on the registration page, but bots still seem to be able to register with no problem .... I even tested the registration process a few times manually and invalid/empty answers for the questions deny registration, so NoSpam *appears* to be working, just not preventing the bots from registering.

Any ideas on what might be the problem or what I am missing?

Appreciate any help!

[Digital Jedi]

Originally Posted by rprante

I just installed NoSpam on vBulletin 3.5.4 - no errors on the install, I'm seeing the question prompt and answer box on the registration page, but bots still seem to be able to register with no problem .... I even tested the registration process a few times manually and invalid/empty answers for the questions deny registration, so NoSpam *appears* to be working, just not preventing the bots from registering.

Any ideas on what might be the problem or what I am missing?

Appreciate any help!

You might be running into a case of human users registering and then turning the account over to a bot. There's not a lot you can do about that, except maybe banning the IP addresses.

[Wave Music]

Just installed everything smoothly with no issues on 3.5.4, and now waiting to see if any bots get through. I still have manual approval enabled until I can gauge how effective it will be in my case.

Many thanks to antialiasis for putting this together, and keeping my fingers crossed.

WM

[Aunt Clara]

I need to install this in the Send to Friend form. Anyone knows how to do it?

BTW, this is one of the greatest mods I've seen so far.

[Aunt Clara]

Anyone? Please?

[Megadeuce]

Thanks for this hack. Since installing my spam is now non-existant