Spammers kicking my ass, should I upgrade to 3.8?

[wisebread]

Hi everyone!

We get about 5-10 new spammers a day who make it past the default Akismet filters. These are pretty obvious spam, not subtle or sophisticated.

We're currently on vBulletin 3.7.3 Patch Level 1. [edited to add]: We're also running reCAPTCHA and require email verification.

1. Would upgrading to 3.8 help? Does it have better default spam fighting features? Are there better spam fighting mods available to 3.8? If so, any specific recommendations?

2. Or, should I just install more spam fighting mods for my current version. I'm considering Stop the Registration Bots and vbStopForumSpam. Any specific recommendations for 3.7.3?


3. Here are all the current mods we're running. Would these be supported in 3.8?

Moderation Queue on Forumhome: 1.02
Post Thank You: 7.7
Referrer Statistics: 1.3.1
vBAd Management 4.02
vB Ad Management English Language 4.02
vBSEO: 3.1.0

Thank you for your help!

[fta2k]

Since upgrading to 3.8.4 and activating reCAPTCHA we've not had any spammers:

http://recaptcha.net/ is where you'll get your keys to activate.

[Lynne]

2. I've been using Is Bot since 3.6 and it's been very effective.

3. Read the threads and see what is said. Usually users will post saying whether a modification works, or doesn't work, for different versions of vB.

[wisebread]

Originally Posted by fta2k

Since upgrading to 3.8.4 and activating reCAPTCHA we've not had any spammers:

Thanks! I think we are running reCAPTCHA though. I should've mentioned that in my OP.

Originally Posted by Lynne

2. I've been using Is Bot since 3.6 and it's been very effective.

3. Read the threads and see what is said. Usually users will post saying whether a modification works, or doesn't work, for different versions of vB.

I'm honored to get a comment from the forum mod. Thank you for the tips. I'll definitely check out Is Bot.

[Brandon Sheley]

I would upgrade, but I always like the latest and greatest
there are some mods that will help with the spam tho, other then the one you listed.
I added the question mod, where new users have to answer a question, and have had very little spam compared to what we had before.

[wisebread]

Thanks for your input Loco.M.

In my admin panel, I can choose either reCAPTCHA or "Question & Answer Verification." Which one is more effective? (I currently use reCAPTCHA)

Are you using VB's default Q&A option, or did you install NoSpam? Does it work properly with 3.8?

[TNCclubman]

use a custom question on signup.