Registration, spammers and such

[djsydeburnz]

I have searched a bit and figured I would ask here as I have not had any luck finding an answer.

I run a board that seems to be attracting alot of the spam accounts, not sure if it is happening everywhere, but it bugs me to no end.

Is there a way to set my site up so that it only allows registration for people that have been referred?

Or, better yet, is there any kind of mod out there that forces those wishing to register to fill out some type of application stating their intentions? I know this probably wouldn't totally solve it, but it might deter someone from joining if the process was a bit more in depth.

Thanks in advance.

[Phaedrus]

You could make it so that they all have to go through Moderation before you okay them. You could also make it so that they cannot sign up unless they click a link in an e-mail that automatically is sent from your site. Make sure you are using the images check as well. If you still get spammer accounts I'd be very surprised.

[JimmyN]

its hard to know if spammers are real members or not, some use many different emails.

What i do is iv installed a new hack which finds keywords in there new post, and if they have posted under 1-5 posts it will be added to a mod list which means it has no harm on your board.
If the infomation is valid, you may just allow the post.
But if not its means that user should be banned.

Iv put this in place and iv had no problems with spammers, i used to have a heap of phone ads etc that where very anoying.

Hope this helps, let me know if you cant find the hack on vb.org (there is 2 more i belive)

[Adrian Schneider]

Make sure you require email verification... here are some hacks that will help:

NoSpam! - an alternative to CAPTCHA images
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=124828
Replace image verification with a simple question (randomized, I believe) that you make up yourself. Bots can't think.

Spam Decimator
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=93762
Allows you to click 'Spam' on a post to delete the users posts and ban his account. It also shows you other users with the same IP.

Prevent Spam Posts
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=131568
(This is what Jimmy was referring to) Lets you enter keywords which when encountered in a post will set the post as awaiting moderation. It will only affect users with X or less posts.

[djsydeburnz]

these are all solutions that i have seen on the boards allready. i was asking about something different. is there any input on the two ideas i had listed?

[steven s]

Anything you install is going to require some work on your part.
Prevent Spam Posts
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=131568
is working out very well for me (Thanks SirAdrian).
I have been tweaking the keywords to suit my needs.
Not one spam has gotten through.

I'm also banning phone, mobil and electronics in email addresses with aggressive banning on.
There is no one solution. Not yet anyway.