Anti-Spam Options - Spambot Stopper - Prevent Spambots from Registering

What is it?
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This mod rejects registrations where the form is filled out in less than a minimum time. You can configure one of the following actions to be taken when an automated registration is detected:

- Show a "No Permissions" page
- Display the "Successful Registration" message but without creating an account
- Redirect the user to any URL you choose
- Reload the registration page with an error message of your choosing

You can also provide a list of email addresses to be notified each time a registration is blocked.

Added for version 1.1.1: Time delay enforcer, maximum time option, time limits to cut down on email notifications, posting to a thread.

In the future, I'd like to add some simple logging and statistics, and a summary type of email notification (because people seem to quickly get tired of the single emails).

Note: I coded this myself from scratch, but I would like to acknowledge a couple of previous mods that used this same idea, by users Calorie and noppid, and maybe others. In any case, I believe this one adds some features that the others don't have.

Other advantages: no ads or links, no abuse of update notifications, no disappearing features, no threats to delete the mod (it will never be deleted, at least by me). Also, translations are allowed.

Installation:
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1) If you have "Is Bot", "Stop the Registration Bots", "Spammers Suck!", or another mod that works on registration time, note any admincp settings for that mod then uninstall it.

2) Import the product XML file from the Product Manager.

3) Go to Settings > Options > Spambot Stopper Options and configure the desired settings.

4) IMPORTANT: try to register a new user to make sure that there are no problems with humans registering. If you want, you can also temporarily set the minimum time to a higher value (like 60 seconds) and test to see if the spammer rejection is working.



History:
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1.1.1 (Feb 16, 2013)

• Added timer for enforcing minimum time
• Added maximum registration time limit
• Added time limits for email notifications
• Added posting notificatiosn to a thread

1.0.1 (Feb 01, 2013)

• Fixed bug
• Added check for fake timestamps

1.0 (Jan 31, 2013)

• Initial Release

[Max Taxable]

Originally Posted by Barcham

I have mine set at 45 seconds and that has pretty much stopped all spam bots dead in their tracks. I had it set at 25 originally and there were a few getting through so I increased it by 5 second increments until I hit 45 and that seems to have done it.

Whoever is programming the bots is a total idiot in any case. Almost all the handles that are blocked tend to be constructed to represent real names, a capital letter for the first name combined with a last name starting with a capital letter. Makes the occasional one that does get through very easy to find.

I have noticed a huge increase in bots the last couple of days though. My various protections have blocked well over 300 in the last day and a half where I usually deal with about 10 to 25 per day.

Spring has sprung and the masses are ready to spend their money after a long, miserable winter. Therefore the spambotnets are ramping up the advertising.

We get this for xmas shopping season too, and for other holidays although not as strong as spring and xmas.

Whoever is programming the bots is a total idiot

That's what I've been tryna tell folks. Spammers are the bottom feeders of the web, for a reason.

[Chadi]

Just installed this. I have all accounts set to verify via email link (always did), but this mod seems to completely bypass that standard, default vbulletin feature? Just tested it, and confirmed so.

[ozzy47]

Is the verify email link you are talking about the stock in vBulletin?

If so this mod does not bypass it, I know that for a fact as I have this mod running on numerous sites and all require you to verify your email.

[kh99]

Originally Posted by Chadi

Just installed this. I have all accounts set to verify via email link (always did), but this mod seems to completely bypass that standard, default vbulletin feature? Just tested it, and confirmed so.

I'll check when I get a chance. What version of vb are you running?

[financegav]

Originally Posted by Max Taxable

Lower time settings help the bots. I recommend starting at 25 seconds for the speed setting.

Thanks will do, I had it at 20 seconds as using my browsers auto fill option for some details I could do it in just under 20 seconds myself.

[mradlin]

Installed and working. 4.2.2

[mariannet]

I'm loving this! Thank you very much

[DreadsUK]

I've got a mod running that verifies email before account is created but it looks like its doing this through the renamed register.php Does this mean everyone will be stopped.

Its this, should i turn this off? It step 2 of the reg process first

This one
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthrea...ht=verify+mail

[ForceHSS]

Have that plugin as well and if its not working for you need to change the admin email being used that is sending out emails as going by your other post the admin email you are using is wrong. Also for support for any plugin you need to post where you got the plugin for support

[mariannet]

Seems to be blocking everybody
Set to 20 sec. and using Force Wait for Minimum Time.

Tried my self, made it slow, got caught as well