Miscellaneous Hacks - Ban Spiders by User Agent

What this mod does
With this mod you can enter User Agents to watch or ban, you can also recieve emails or have an Output.txt created and updated with time and date of visits. It doesn't just have to be spiders, you can watch, log or ban any useragent!

How to install
Simply import the product ban_spider, the mod is active by default but none of the other options are turned on.

What is a UserAgent?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_agent

Understanding a UserAgent string
http://user-agent-string.info/parse

Genuine User Getting Blocked?
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=105

Tools to help
http://whatsmyuseragent.com/SwitchingUserAgents.asp
http://www.botsvsbrowsers.com/SimulateUserAgent.asp

FAQ
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=137

How does it work?
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=381

What's a bot?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spambot

How do i ban a bot?
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=318
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....7&postcount=51

Where's output.txt located?
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=216

Bad bot lists
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=259
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=224
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=281

Tested on vb3.7.x, vB3.8.x , vB4.x.x but should work on any version.

__________________________________________________ __________________
Special thanks to:
Lior
KH99
BoP5
for helping me sort out a few issues

...and beta testers
ForceHSS (Special thanks to Force for latest testing)
ozzy47
GreyHost

If you use this please mark as INSTALLED

History
9th June 2011 Orginal xml added
12th June 2011 Added both email notification and text file logging
22nd June 2011 Version 2.0.0, Added create thread on activity

1. Added match facility you can now use something like Yandex and it will match MOZILLA/5.0 (COMPATIBLE; YANDEXBOT/3.0; +HTTP://YANDEX.COM/BOTS)
2. Added clickable link to visited thread

22nd September 2011 added user redirect url selection
08th October Beta testing started for thread creation.
20th October Beta testing started for emailing.
21st October Beta testing complete Ver 3.0.0 uploaded
29th October minor fix added to cope with empty userid on thread creation
30th October Beta testing automatic redirection to spiders/bots IP
31st October New xml uploaded with automatic redirect to IP
25th November Minor fix for blank forumid fixed
26th November 2011 Fixed version check & create thread Off by default
17th December 2014 Version 3.1.0 uploaded, Hook changed extra logging and statistics added by Ozzy47 (Chris)
18th December 2014 Version 3.1.1 uploaded, prevented spiders being counted when mod turned off.
17th December 2014 Version 3.1.2 uploaded, due to rogue code from another mod
The Bad Bots list is now included in the product
Please prune out all those that you wish to be able to see your site (i suggest you definately prune out "DA" and "Custo" :

Support will now only be given to those who have this mod marked as INSTALLED

[Max Taxable]

Originally Posted by Gadget_Guy

I have 4.2.2 and I think I am heavily modded(ish)

Your call.

D.

I wouldn't know, I only presume since we've only seen this on heavily modded v4 installs. Never seen it at all on a v3 no matter how heavily modded.

"heavily" modded is kind of subjective though too.

I believe either there is a hook conflict or, too much time waiting in the "queue" so to speak, since the hook this mod uses is like 15th or something in order of fire.

[Gadget_Guy]

If you need any details about my site or want me to test things... I am happy to do it.

Shoot me a PM and I will respond with my e-mail address.... happy to work with you all to improve the world.


D.

[Simon Lloyd]

Originally Posted by ozzy47

Simon, I can send you a PM on my site, which would contain the XML's for vB3 and vB4.

The new way has so far seemed to successfully blocked them, as well they do not show up in Paul's mod anymore.

I also have added the ability to change the name of the log file, to a different name, in case admins want to change it, as well as a counter of how many bots are blocked using the mod, that shows up in the site stats on the forum home. Now this is of course starting from the time you install the updated version, as there is no way to get a correct count from before. There is also a setting to select which usergroups can see the stats.

Drop me a pm, I think im registered there

[Max Taxable]

Just to make sure I clarify - there's nothing inherently wrong with this mod. I merely believe it is being interfered with, on some v4 installations.

[ozzy47]

Originally Posted by Simon Lloyd

Drop me a pm, I think im registered there

Yes you are, and i sent you a PM there with the two XML's in it.

And yes, there is nothing wrong with the mod, the original code works just fine. I think it is a mod conflicting, or quite possibly a vBoption, not sure which but it's something. I just have it running in a much better hook location for vB4 now, as well as the added goodies.

[Black Snow]

I have been trying to keep an eye kn this thread to see if anyone can block baidu 100%. Has this been achieved yet? I see ozzy47 talking about a new way to block them but see no instructions. Am I missing something?

[ozzy47]

Yes I have them blocked completely, now it's up to Simon to look at my changes and see if he wants to update the mod.

[Simon Lloyd]

Will take a look tomorrow guys

[Max Taxable]

Originally Posted by Black Snow

I have been trying to keep an eye kn this thread to see if anyone can block baidu 100%. Has this been achieved yet? I see ozzy47 talking about a new way to block them but see no instructions. Am I missing something?

I have always had it blocked completely, 100 percent on both v3.8.7 and v4. Never, ever had one get through after installing this Mod. That's the point. Some v4 installations are having trouble with Baidu and some other bots getting through, not all.

[ozzy47]

Right, but the changes I made should stop it on all sites now.