vBouncer (PHP): reduce server load by unsubscribing bouncing members from threads

There's also a vB 3.5 version: https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthrea...threadid=83486

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. This was initially released for vB 2.x and vB 3.0.x as a Perl script, and is now fully integrated with vB as scheduled tasks with admin panel control.

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:
Manual or auto processing option
Collect logs via IMAP/POP or mail spool file
Uses vB's cron files (Scheduled tasks)
Custom filters to match patterns in bounced emails
Encryption header to authenticate bounces.
Stats on members with bouncing emails, and error codes
Tuning options
Verbose cron logs for diagnostics
Option to send PM warning prior to reaching the limit
Option to send PM notifications after reaching the limit
Option to change the member's subscription default
Option to all thread subscriptions to "no email"
Option to all forum subscriptions to "no email"
Option to move offenders to a different primary usergroup
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/cron => includes/cron)
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. Edit includes/mail.php
Find:

PHP Code:

if ($minusf)
        {
            $this->success = @mail($toemail, $subject, $message, trim($headers), "-f $fromemail");
        }
        else
        {
            $this->success = @mail($toemail, $subject, $message, trim($headers));
        } 


Replace with:

PHP Code:

global $vboptions;
                if (is_valid_email($vboptions['vbouncer_spool_account'])) {
                        if ($vboptions['vbouncer_header_return_key'])
                                $headers .= 'X-Return-ID: ' . md5($vboptions['vbouncer_header_return_key'] . $toemail) . "\n";
                        $this->success = @mail($toemail, $subject, $message, trim($headers), '-f' . $vboptions['vbouncer_spool_account']);
                }
                else
                        $this->success = @mail($toemail, $subject, $message, trim($headers), "-f $fromemail"); 


In admincp/index.php, find:

PHP Code:

                                  if (can_administer('canadmincron')) 


Add before::

PHP Code:

                          if (can_administer('canadmincron'))
    {
        construct_nav_option('vBouncer Settings', 'options.php?do=options&dogroup=vBouncer', '|');
        construct_nav_option('Stats', 'vbouncer.php?do=stats', '<br />' );
        construct_nav_option('Diagnostics', 'vbouncer.php?do=diag', '<br />');
        construct_nav_group('vBouncer');
    } 


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)

Change log:

- 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 added 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 v0.51 for 3.0.7 Corrected installer file.

- June 27, 2005 v0.5 for 3.0.7 Add setting for custom header strings.

- June 26, 2005 v0.2 for 3.0.7 Initial release No changes, just removed the plugin

Screenshots from 3.5 beta, but it looks the same on 3.0.7...

[tamarian]

Originally Posted by 7thgenCivic.Com

so what is the status with Exim? I moved servers, but it still doesn't work. I have an 853kb inbox file if you want to look at it. But i don't think that is the issue. permissions is the problem.

If the inbox file is full of bounced emails, yes, I'd like to see it

I'll post a new release later today, that should work fro those with Exim and control panels. It allows using POP/IMAP access instead of files, and custom filters.

[ImportPassion]

here u go. have fun

[tamarian]

Version 0.9 is out. New features added:

o Collect logs via IMAP/POP or mail spool file
o Custom filters to match patterns in bounced emails

To upgrade, uninstall, then reinstall through the installation script.

[tamarian]

The 0.9 zip file has been updated. There was a typo, caught by Paul M, that will cause an error if you enable usergroup changes. Download the file again to fix it.

[psico]

This is one of the most useful hacks ever!!!!

tnx dude!

[ImportPassion]

I am trying to use POP, when I go to diagnostics, I get this error

Fatal error: Call to undefined function: imap_open() in /home/xxxxx/public_html/forums/admincp/vbouncer.php on line 141

[ImportPassion]

also, it keeps failing on the POP test. are we supposed to type it in exactly like u have it?

{localhost:110/pop3}INBOX

D

[tamarian]

Originally Posted by 7thgenCivic.Com

I am trying to use POP, when I go to diagnostics, I get this error

Fatal error: Call to undefined function: imap_open() in /home/xxxxx/public_html/forums/admincp/vbouncer.php on line 141

This means your PHP was built/compiled without IMAP support.

[tamarian]

Originally Posted by 7thgenCivic.Com

also, it keeps failing on the POP test. are we supposed to type it in exactly like u have it?

{localhost:110/pop3}INBOX

Yes, if it's local, that should do it. Just make sure your PHP has IMAP support built/compiled in.

[ImportPassion]

recompiling now. see how it goes soon.