[ABD] Disable links for new users & guests

[Philthy]

Modification Name: Disable external links for new users & guests
Author: Philthy

Modification Description: This mod allows an admin to set the required number of posts, or number of days a new member must have, to post external links or domain references. Guest posting external links or domain references is not allowed.
Modification Version: 0.0.3

Screenshots:




Demo URL: http://www.skidvd.co.uk/forum

Modification Download: http://www.skidvd.co.uk/files/disable_l ... _0.0.3.zip

This is my first time posting a mod, so I've probably messed up somewhere along the line.
Kudos has to go to all the other members who have had a hand in this mod, either directly, or indirectly.
I am merely standing on the shoulders of giants
I have almost no knowledge of php, so if someone wants to adopt this mod, and run with it, feel free. I just think that it is such a useful weapon in the armory against spammers, it will be needed by most of us.
I have this mod installed on a live (ish) forum, with guest posting enabled, and so far haven't had any problems.
Over to you guys

[hah]

Nice mod.
You may add

Code: Select all

|| ($user->data['is_bot']

in posting.php, so the users cannot use Google cache the get the urls.

[Philthy]

I'm not sure I understand. The mod is supposed to stop urls being posted, not being cached by google?

[hah]

I'm not sure I understand. The mod is supposed to stop urls being posted, not being cached by google?

Sorry I thought that it hides the links from users that haven't joined the website at a specific date/time & guests, too.
So if a guest can't see the url, he may go to google and see the cached page.

[Philthy]

Update to version 0.0.2
Made a small change to the num_posts sum as it was slightly wrong. If the number of posts was set at 5 for example, the poster couldn't post a link until after post number 6.

[John T. Folden]

I can't seem to download this, says permission denied.

[Philthy]

I can't seem to download this, says permission denied.

Sorry John, I'd been moving stuff about.
Try the link now.
I'd appreciate it if you could give me some feedback. I don't seem to be getting much

[John T. Folden]

Thanks!

I have one question... for right now, I'd like to limit this to just test it out on guests. From looking over the code, it seems like I can just make the edit to posting.php and by changing the first part of that edit to:

Code: Select all

    $no_link_for_you=false;
    if ((!$user->data['session_admin']) && (($user->data['user_type']==USER_IGNORE) || ($user->data['user_id']==ANONYMOUS))){
        $no_link_for_you=true;
    }

Correct?

[Philthy]

No need to change it.
Install it as it is, and then set minimum number of posts and days membership at zero.
This allows anybody who has registered to post links. Guests can never post links with this mod.

[Skinny Vinny]

Philthy, change op subject to [RC].
I didn't realize you submitted this to the mod db. I submitted my connect hook and this mod came up in my contributions: thank you for the co auth credit. If anyone has any problems with this and needs help, let me know.

[Philthy]

Philthy, change op subject to [RC].
I didn't realize you submitted this to the mod db. I submitted my connect hook and this mod came up in my contributions: thank you for the co auth credit. If anyone has any problems with this and needs help, let me know.

My pleasure Vinny. Truth be known, you are the main contributor to this mod. I just thought it such a useful one, it needed developing. You seemed a bit busy with other stuff
So far, not a single spam post, even with guest posting enabled !

[John T. Folden]

I don't really understand why this isn't getting more attention. It should prove more useful than a Captcha, particularly for those that need guest posting abilities.

Btw, what about having the "array of no-nos" editable from the ACP?

[Philthy]

Btw, what about having the "array of no-nos" editable from the ACP?

I'm looking into it, but having difficulties getting the list of nono's into the database.

[John T. Folden]

Just wanted to post a follow up that this little heaven-sent mod has been 100% effective at preventing the spam I was trying to avoid.

I'm wondering now if I couldn't just do away with the captcha for guest posters all together.

[Philthy]

Just wanted to post a follow up that this little heaven-sent mod has been 100% effective at preventing the spam I was trying to avoid.

I'm wondering now if I couldn't just do away with the captcha for guest posters all together.

Thanks John.
I think, like me, you "get" this mod. Spammers sign up to post links. Why not simply stop them posting links?
No need to make users jump through all sorts of hoops to register on your forum, simply deny them the right to post links until trusted.
Bots visiting my site (with guest posting enabled, & without visual confirmation) try to post,and just get the error message, and hang. Human spammers, try to post links, and then try to work around the url block, and so far have given up. Yes, they can post some text hinting at the spam they are trying to post, but what good is it without the link they value so much?
Most human spammers lately, appear to be copy and paste merchants based in India. I doubt they read enough English to understand the error message, anyway ?

Whatever, it is working for me, not a single spam post since I installed this.