I added a couple lines of code to my registration file and made one alteration to the template file that deals with it and I have had 'zero' spammers now for one week.
Before that I was getting 8-15 a day or more.
I like mods, but realize the more mods, the harder to update. My post is here
http://www.phpbb.com/community/viewtopi ... 8&t=911615
I know there are tons of mods out there, but this is just a simple adjustment to the template to make a text box or two visually disappear, so the box is still there but humans cannot see it. And adding two lines to another file that check registration for a '[' or for input in those 'invisible' boxes.
This 'mod' requires nothign special on the part of someone joining. All it does it make some fields invisible to them like 'icq' and 'website'. It also will bounce anyone who adds a '{' (bracket) in the signature field.
I find all bots seem to add an icq and/or a [url] link.
With a little php knowledge you can do much more to this and at the same time not worry too much about anykind of upgrading (though, I guess now that 3 is out, it won't matter).
So far these changes have fully stopped any spammers from appearing as users in my lists and I believe this results in the bot not getting 'an error' so the spammer is aware of the change. And the regular user has to do nothing special to reguister.
I assume they will eventually see it, or a new bot will come out. I will just add a new parameter to the php commands to block that one.
I for one am supremely happy to not have to do the torturous copy/paste lookup delete user method anymore...yeah!!!
As an added bonus, I have been able to make it easier for new users to register by not using the captcha and not using 'admin' approval. I am entirely happy for me and the users.