SPAMMERS

[hillrunr]

I think I've seen this else where, but I'm thinking if the new poster goes a week without posting that maybe I'll delete their account. And I definitely need to review the linked websites for porn offenders.

I actually did something similar before I managed to programatically suppress the spammers (for now). I required user activation of accounts. If a user did not activate their account within a given period of time, they were deleted. Some users like to register and browse for a while either without posting or before working up the "courage" to post.

Of course, until I modded my forums to prevent entering a website upon initial registration, I was always on guard for those porn and poker sites. I'd strongly suggest the mod. I'll see if I have some time to look it up this evening.

[Ivan10]

I've just had an idea. How about a mod that generates a random register key, just like the "agreed=true". Just that it's random. What do you think?

You may try that for yourself, but if the phpBB team includes this hack in their next release, I'm sure spammers will support it easily.

I am surprised that many webmasters don't know that VC can be hacked automatically (can check that by running my antispam check or googling for pwntcha). You should not reply ONLY on it. There seem to be many anti-spam mods around.

[Dave Bean]

I put in a mod request for an "Easy De-Spam" button. If you think it is a good idea, might help the request out here, by saying so:
http://www.phpbb.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=2088993

[robleach]

Hello,

The biggest problem (as I see it) associated with the spammers is that phpbb inserts into its VISIBLE database the details of a registrant applicant BEFORE the applicant is authorised.

If this was corrected, the problem would then be solved if the applicant's details were sent in the email announcing a new applicant. The email could then be ignored and it would not be necessary to delete them from the database.

David

I agree completely. It's inane to provide a link to approve an account activation without any kind of information on the user! And what's with the statement: "you should check the details of this user (if required) and activate it using the following link" in the email? I've ben looking for a way to 'require' checking the details of a user as is mentioned in the email, but it doesn't appear to exist!

Rob

[Dave Bean]

he biggest problem (as I see it) associated with the spammers is that phpbb inserts into its VISIBLE database the details of a registrant applicant BEFORE the applicant is authorised.

I agree that the practice is unwise, but isn't it pretty much standard now to do the not list the members with 0 posts (or inactive) in the memberlist or in the newestmember link modification?

No problems with this aspect anymore - just wish it was a standard phpBB option.

[visionquest99]

Quick question: can a new registered member post BEFORE their account is activated?

[InertiaM]

Quick question: can a new registered member post BEFORE their account is activated?

As I understand it, no, because they wont be able to log in.

[igorw]

Quick question: can a new registered member post BEFORE their account is activated?

No, he cant.

[visionquest99]

Quick question: can a new registered member post BEFORE their account is activated?

As I understand it, no, because they wont be able to log in.

Okay, they can't post, but cant phpbb make it so they are not listed as "newest registered member" until their account is activated?

[Wo1f]

Hi soulstice99,

You may find this MOD interesting in the light of your request.

• [2.0.21] User Shield

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Let me know,
Wolf


NOTE: If you decide to install the above mentionned or recommended MOD(s), any installation or operation problems you might encounter should be referred to the MOD's release or development thread. Link(s) provided above.

[alvo]

I've posted what I did to go from several spam messages a day to zero. It's simple, effective and doesn't require any admin intervention and you can still allow guest postings if you want:

http://www.phpbb.com/phpBB/viewtopic.ph ... 36#2281836

[rwilkerson]

Hi,

Is there an easier way to list members, select many, then delete in one fell swoop? Our spammers are pretty obvious. But its a pain to list them in the member section and copy them one by one to the admin panel to delete them.

Thanks,

RCW

[alvo]

Delete them from the database directly. If you use something like phpMyAdmin you can searh for posts=0 and then select which records to want to delete and do it with one click. Although it's better to simply stop them from registering in the first place.

[Wo1f]

@alvo

Delete them from the database directly. If you use something like phpMyAdmin you can searh for posts=0 and then select which records to want to delete and do it with one click. Although it's better to simply stop them from registering in the first place.

I would not recommend this method, as there are other tables that would also need to be cleaned even though they were never activated. Also, in the case of activated members that have no posting activities, might on the other hand have pm and topic watch activities, and so on and so forth. Deleting the user from the users table is not sufficient.


@rwilkerson

The MOD "User Shield" that I recommended to soulstice99 offers that feature through the memberlist.


Regards,
Wolf