vBouncer: reduce server load by unsubscribing bouncing members from threads

vBouncer is a handy tool for busy forums (or those that do not require email verification) to control the amounts of bogus emails sent from and to your server.

What vBouncer does: vBouncer monitors your mail spool file, and identifies members responsible for large amounts of bounced emails. It then issues a PM warning, and when the unsubscribe threshold is met, it will will unsubscribe them for all threads, and sets them to the "no email" subscription level.

After a couple of runs, this should significantly reduce your server load.

Features:
o Manual or auto processing option
o Collect logs via IMAP/POP or mail spool file
o Custom filters to match patterns in bounced emails
o Uses vB's cron files (Scheduled tasks)
o Uses encrypted header for authentication (suggested by Paul M).
o Stats on members with bouncing emails, and error codes
o Tuning options
o Verbose cron logs for diagnostics
o Option to send PM warning prior to reaching the limit
o Option to send PM notifications after reaching the limit
o Option to change the member's subscription default
o Option to all thread subscriptions to "no email"
o Option to all forum subscriptions to "no email"
o Option to move offenders to a different primary usergroup
o Option to process 5.0.0/550 errors (email unknown) upon a single email, isntead of observing the bounce limit

Installation:
1. Extract the files into the corresponding directories (admincp => admincp, includes => includes)
2. Run the installation script in the admincp
3. Fill out the settings menu in the vBouncer section of the admin panel (see the how-to post below)
4. Import and activate the plugin file through the plugin manager.
5. Once ready, add the cron scripts to your scheduled tasks: vbouncer-collect.php (should be run daily, or more frequently) and vbouncer-clean.php (weekly, equal to Bounce limit period)
6. If you are using vB's SMTP email option, make sure to also enable the "-f" option.

Change log:

- August 12, 2005 v1.3 Update to the cron files to match new changes in vB's cron/tasks. To upgrade, just re-upload the contents of includes/cron.

- July 11, 2005 v1.2 Bug fix for some server/PHP setups; resolve aliases for return keys, otherwise some aliases would be considered forged.

- July 5, 2005 v1.1 Bug fix in standard report pattern matching

- July 4, 2005 v1.0 Added encrypted header for authentication (suggested by Paul M).

- July 3, 2005 v0.9.1 fixed a bug preventing IMAP/POP log collection.

- July 2, 2005 v0.9 added IMAP/POP option and custom filters file vbouncer.ini

- June 27, 2005 v0.5 Added custom header setting option, for re-written headers.

- June 26, 2005 v0.4 Found a way to make it work as a plugin, without code edits (thanks to Paul M)

- June 26, 2005 v0.3 No changes, just removed the plugin

- June 25, 2005 v0.2 Added NDR/Reply code errors to stats, and option to act upon 5.0.0/550 (user unknown)

- June 21, 2005: v 0.1 Initial release. Marked beta, but it's working fine on PostFix and SendMail. Need to hear from those who tried on QMail and Exim

[tamarian]

Originally Posted by Paul M

What do you expect will get screwed ?

If you try to do it the vanilla vB way for a product, the product file won't import due to duplicate keys in settings, and the install code will need to check for pre-existing tables, since pre product installations have no version defined.

[Paul M]

The table bit is easy - you simply run the create query with error reporting turned off. If the table exists it will silently fail, otherwise it will work. However, people who already have it installed don't need to import the product anyway ?

[tamarian]

Originally Posted by Paul M

The table bit is easy - you simply run the create query with error reporting turned off. If the table exists it will silently fail, otherwise it will work.

That's true, or just add IF NOT EXISTS. But for settings and templates, it would leave the product id as vbulletin, so it may require some code to alter them if already there.

However, people who already have it installed don't need to import the product anyway ?

Not right now, but eventually they'll need to for any future upgrades.

[Xalibur]

is this working with the "send user email" function of vbulletin ? im also using VB as a mailing list replacement , but im unable to get the return path added. Works for PM notifications though..

[TechGuy]

Originally Posted by TraumTeam

A short help from me for users with the problems of imap/pop access:

I the access does not work and all settings are correct try:
{127.0.0.1:110/pop3/notls}INBOX

There could be a certificate failure with the internal IMAP Access on the server.

Perhaps its interesting for the FAQ ...

Rob

THANKS! That was exactly my problem.

[ManagerJosh]

It would be rather nice to see a version of this hack, but expanded to include bouncing Happy Birthday Emails, Bouncing Activaton Emails.

[Freezerator]

Hi,

i have installed this hack but it seems it doens't pick the right e-mail account out for sending e-mails. In my settings i have subscriber_notify@mydomain.com but he still uses my old e-mail adres where i receive those bounced e-mails.

I have upgrade from 3.0.7 to 3.5.2, in 3.0.7 worked perfect. I have activated the plugin.

[trainer]

any way to expand this to other emails sent out by the forums?

as suggested in this thread
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=102943

willing to pay for a solution that will work on my server, vbouncer is already working without a problem - PM me if you can help

[FD929]

Originally Posted by Freezerator

Hi,

i have installed this hack but it seems it doens't pick the right e-mail account out for sending e-mails. In my settings i have subscriber_notify@mydomain.com but he still uses my old e-mail adres where i receive those bounced e-mails.

I have upgrade from 3.0.7 to 3.5.2, in 3.0.7 worked perfect. I have activated the plugin.

Same here. I've read the entire thread and the problem was addressed but not fixed.
Subscription emails are still being sent by the webmaster email address.

vBouncer sender email
Test Result
Valid vBouncer email account (subscriber_notify@XXX.com) Passed
vBouncer email account (subscriber_notify@XXX.com) differs from webmaster account Passed

vBouncer Spool File Diagnostics (ignore if using IMAP/POP)
Test Result
vBouncer email spool file () exists Failed
vBouncer email spool file () is writable Failed
vBouncer email spool file () is readable Failed

vBouncer pattern config file diagnostics
Test Result
vbouncer.inc file exists Passed
vbouncer.inc file is readable Passed

vBouncer IMAP/POP Diagnostics (ignore if not using IMAP/POP)
Test Result
Your PHP installation supports IMAP/POP Passed
Your IMAP/POP settings can connect Passed

I was using SMTP before attempting to use this, and subscriptions stopped working. Switched to php and emails are being sent, but from the webmaster address.

[Freezerator]

I see that you also are running 3.5.2. Are there more people who run 3.5.2 or 3.5.3 who experiance this problem?