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

[SaN-DeeP]

yet another must-have addon for vbulletin..
thank you for the release.

[tamarian]

Originally Posted by SpankMe

I've found that the sender email address isn't changed if vB to configured to use the Mailqueue System. Not sure if this is a problem with this mod or the server setup.

Any ideas?

Are you using SMTP or PHP options for mailing? Make sure you test with thread notification, not from the admincp.

[SpankMe]

PHP mail() and all testing was done with thread notification.

[redspider]

tamarian if you have time to check my forum would be great I really try for months and still bouncing emails please let me know .

[Kihon Kata]

So...let me ask, boards that *DO* require email verification, will this mod still work?

PS: sorry if this has been asked before in this thread

[tamarian]

Originally Posted by Kihon Kata

So...let me ask, boards that *DO* require email verification, will this mod still work?

Yes, that wouldn't make any difference, this is mainly for instant thread notifications

[haytham]

I was told by my host that on Windows servers Cron isn't an option..so I guess I can't run it

[tamarian]

Originally Posted by haytham

I was told by my host that on Windows servers Cron isn't an option..so I guess I can't run it

vBulletin's cron is a simulated cron. So your vB is running scheduled tasks, this is just like other vB scheduled tasks.

[Eagle Creek]

I have a problem!

I installed it and I'm using POP3 but:

vBouncer sender email
Test Result
Valid vBouncer email account (notify@soccerquest.nl) Passed
vBouncer email account (notify@soccerquest.nl) 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 Failed

What can I do to fix this?

@ POP connetion I use:

{localhost:110/pop3}INBOX

[tamarian]

Originally Posted by Eagle Creek

I have a problem!

I installed it and I'm using POP3 but:



What can I do to fix this?

@ POP connetion I use:

Try using notls in the string. Search this this thread for "notls" for examples.