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.

[Ingress]

Which Version of vB are you using? Did you alter any configuration, install or update other mods or templates before it stopped working?

I recommend you do the manual steps that are stated in integration.txt again, this looks as if there's just something not right with your templates, no big deal.

Ingress

[Shepski]

Hi,

Ive installed this and all went well but when i put through a test registration i can see the question and the answer box no problem. If i put in a wrong answer it tells me ive answered incorrectly but i leave the answer field blank it lets me register!

Any ideas on how to fix this? im using 3.5.4

[HP10T]

Originally Posted by Ingress

Which Version of vB are you using? Did you alter any configuration, install or update other mods or templates before it stopped working?

I recommend you do the manual steps that are stated in integration.txt again, this looks as if there's just something not right with your templates, no big deal.

Ingress

3.5.4, haven't altered or installed any other mods. Also already tried the integration.txt file steps

[michellelammers]

I have it working on my site but we have a quick search button and it throws the error that the No Spam question wasn't answered correctly.

pwctoday.com is our forum.
I am not good with the coding, yet. So any help would be greatly appricated.

[Phrost]

Originally Posted by HP10T

Has been working great but all of a sudden the nospam question box in the registration page is missing and when you try to register is says you got the nospam question wrong. Anyone seen this?

Same exact problem, followed all the steps. 3.5.4.

Edit: $nospamquestion does not seem to be coming through. Any ideas?

Edit2: I just bypassed the problem by making it a single question and adding that question into the quick register template in the appropriate section.

Would like an actual fix at some point though.

Here's the code:

    <br /><div class="info"><b><center><h4>Answer this question in lowercae letters:</h4><br />What color is Gene Lebell's <font color="pink">pink</font> gi?</center></b></div> <input type="text" class="bginput" name="nospam" value="Answer here" onFocus="value=''" size="20" /> <input type="hidden" name="nospamnumber" value="$nospamnumber" />

[slinky66]

I am running 3.54 and would like to incorporate an image as mentioned above and paraphrased here:

"Or you can go with inserting a simple image with HTML and ask what is shown on the image..."

Can someone explain to me how that works? Do you just enter the HTML where the question goes? Something like this?

<img src="/images/validate/myimage.gif" border="0" /><br />What animal is in the picture?:goose

Thanks

[slinky66]

Figured it out...Works like this:
<img src="/images/verify.jpg"/><br/>How many widgets do you see?:4:four:Four

[sarming]

Thanks - and I discovered where all my spam is coming from.

This bunch:
Demya.com - Promote Your Website on Millions of Targeted Forums ...

Not sure to be flattered or not that I'm on their list,

[kışlalı]

3.6.4 ok.

[lamphear]

Hi all, I'm not sure if anyone reads this thread anymore but here is my problem..

I installed NoSpam! on 3.5.3. I went into the options and enabled it and entered in one question. I did not integrate any other hacks.

The question, however, does not show up on my registration page, neither does the answer box. But NoSpam! is definately activated because when I finish the registration I get a denial error saying I didn't answer the question correctly.

And before someone asks what my template looks like... I don't know what a template is. I thought it was the registration.php file but when I open it up it just has php code in it rather than web page code... So I don't know, maybe that's the template?

Thanks everyone