SpamBuster v1.0.0 (Stable): Identify, log and remove spam posts on your forum

This is the v3.5 version of vbSpamBuster that I wrote for vBulletin v3.0.x This version adds some new features.

What does it do?
It spots posts that could potentially be spam then (depending on option settings) creates a thread alerting site admin/moderators about the post and/or hides the post from view.

How does it identify the spam?
All off the posts for users with a post count of less than 10 (configurable) have their posts checked against a number of rules. Each rule has a different "score". If the total score for the post exceeds a specified limit then the post is deemed to be spam.

Can I add my own rules?
The installer file has a default rule set with it, you may wish to customise the rules in the options section of the AdminCP. The rules system is fairly simple to add to, in simple terms each rule is a perl regular expression and a score.

How do I install it?
Import the product via the Product Manager in the AdminCP. The options group and plugins will be added to your system. Now would be a good time to click the install link on here to record the fact that you've installed it.

How do I configure it?
Head to the "SpamBuster" option group in the "vBulletin Options" section of your AdminCP. Fill in the relevant fields. Further documentation will follow but it should be obvious what each setting does for the moment.

How do I upgrade?
Just run a regular install. It's worth backing up your settings particluarly the rules before performing the upgrade. If you're upgrading from v0.3.2 to v1.0.0 you can just download the attached rules file and add it via the admincp as there have been no code changes.

How can I test it?
Try posting a new thread/post with some trigger values in it. The string ekmas.com should do the trick.

Help it's broken my forum!
Erm, that's not an intended feature. Disable all six of the plugins that are part of the product "SpamBuster" and post an error report to this thread. The forum will work fine.

Why doesn't it do x,y or z?
Because I've either not thought about it yet or I've not written it yet. Please drop a post into this thread with any (sensible!) suggestions.

Can I use it commercially?
You're free to use it for whatever purpose comercially/privately as long as you don't resell the code. It's released under the LGPL, see the link below for futher info. If you find this plugin useful and you'd like to make a donation please use the "donate" button below.




This software is licenced under the CC-GNU LGPL.


Changelog

• 15th June 2006 - v1.0.1 - Updated list of rules uploaded as a text file
• 6th April 2006 - v1.0.0 - Stable release: code remains the same but the rules file has changed.

[David Mitchell]

Is there any sort of manual that tells us how to use this thing and set up the rules? The lack of documentation is killing me here.

David.

[Sownman]

Originally Posted by parabat

Hi All. Seems like after I reinstalled the product this error dissappeared. It's working like a dream now.
Saved my hind.

Thanx

I've installed three times. No change. I get the error when moderating from the modcp. Never an error when doing inline moderation.

Steve

[mambo9]

Ive now installed and tested on our 3.6.0 forum. Works like a charm for now. An important thing you cant remember is to make that new test user with a 0-9 postcount and test.

[Bruceper]

One issue that this misses is with users posting links like below

blah

[parabat]

Originally Posted by Sownman

I've installed three times. No change. I get the error when moderating from the modcp. Never an error when doing inline moderation.

Steve

Hi Sownman

The way I got this resolved was to uninstall the product, then I enabled moderation, then installed the product again. This resolved that error a I had moderation disabled previously and only turned it on once I had installed the product. Not sure if you had the same thing.

-Parabat

[Kungfu]

#Phones
regexp:a_sidekick:3:any:"/sidekick/i"
regexp:a_nokia:3:any:"/nokia/i"
regexp:a_ericsson:3:any:"/ericsson/i"
regexp:a_motorola:3:any:"/motorola/i"
regexp:a_nextel:3:any:"/nextel/i"
regexp:a_kyocera:3:any:"/kyocera/i"


#computers
regexp:a_dell:3:any:"/dell/i"
regexp:a_alienware:3:any:"/alienware/i"
regexp:a_apple:3:any:"/apple/i"
regexp:a_ipod:3:any:"/ipod/i"
regexp:a_toshiba:3:any:"/toshiba/i"
regexp:a_vaio:3:any:"/vaio/i"
regexp:a_ibm:3:any:"/ibm/i"
regexp:a_acer:3:any:"/acer/i"


#consoles
regexp:a_xbox:3:any:"/xbox/i"
regexp:a_playstation:3:any:"/playstation/i"
regexp:a_playstation1:3:any:"/play station/i"

Heres a few more that i get at least.

[UK Jimbo]

Sorry guys, I've been pretty tied up (not literally!) with my personal life for the last couple of months. I hope that I can get back to this project in the next few weeks and have a good v3.6 release with some new features.

[GlobalFusion]

Does this work on existing posts?

or only new posts since install?

if not, is there a way to get it to process all posts?

[UK Jimbo]

Originally Posted by GlobalFusion

Does this work on existing posts?

or only new posts since install?

if not, is there a way to get it to process all posts?

It's only triggered by a user making the post. It'd require a big rewrite to make it work with old posts.

[Kungfu]

I must say this hack is great, works perfectly. Found a couple of spammers already. One thing is there anyway to not do certain forums. I have a few moderator forums that would be impossible for it post spam in. I want to be able to just to soft delete the spam posts and not have to worry about it deleting the posts in the restricted areas.

Also antoher thing that needs to be updated is the new post when making a new thread to report. I have it setup so it posts a thread in a spam report forum but i cant tell if there has been spam reported unless i go into there. Could you also update the dateline and lastposter and all that as well. I could probably modify myself and just give you the code too, which is what i will probably do once i get time.