The Spam-Bots are KILLIN me, son!

[Nanners52674]

Would it be possible to block the introduction section on the main list of updated threads that shows on the homepage?

[33girl]

That's what I've proposed several times (here and in MC).

[carnation]

That's good but some of those guys start spamming all the forums once they become regular members, like that michellewhoever from last week or all those medical spammers in 2012. I'd like to know what that guy hathor was talking about--how there are some more tools available now for owners of these boards to block spammers.

[hathorlive]

Originally Posted by carnation

That's good but some of those guys start spamming all the forums once they become regular members, like that michellewhoever from last week or all those medical spammers in 2012. I'd like to know what that guy hathor was talking about--how there are some more tools available now for owners of these boards to block spammers.

The owner of the board can just google "vbulletin spambots fix" and get instructions on how to add things to the mix that make it hard for spambots to get around. I personally have a forum running on PHPBB, which has the same issues with spammers. I just added a line in the registration about something specific to my forum that everyone knows, but spammers usually don't. It could be something as easy as "what does 1 plus 1 equal". Or a Greek themed question that everyone knows.

I'm a computer girl, but most non computer programmer types can add these measures fairly easily, by following instruction guides that the VBulletin gurus have created for non techies.

We went from having to moderate every new user account and getting 15 spam accounts a day to having NONE. It's really a great way to fix the problem.

Again, not selling anything. I have no motive for suggesting this, other than past experience. And not wanting to sort thorough tons of spam every morning.