Stopping Profile Spam

Midwifery Online · Share | #1 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 01:48 AM

Ok someone mentioned profile spam in another thread, this is something I am having BIG troubles with. Nearly every second member who signs up is a profile spammer.

What can I do to reduce this or stop it?

Im using phpbb by the way.
(Any comments regarding getting a 'decent' forum software won't be appreciated).

Thank you
x

Midwifery Online · #2 (**permalink**) 11-27-2009, 12:32 PM

To answer my own question, I have upgraded to the latest version of phpbb 3.0.6 which has a lot more spam protection features built in. I have enabled the Q&A module upon registration and set a question, so hopefully that will reduce the amount of people signing up just to post spam in their profiles.

socks · #3 (**permalink**) 11-27-2009, 03:06 PM

Depending on how your sign up rate is, you could just enable admin validation of new members. Then check their IP and/or email addresses against google.

I currently use SMF, btw.

Midwifery Online · #4 (**permalink**) 11-27-2009, 03:16 PM

I get to many members signing up for admin to validate them, it would just cause an incovience. When I have moved my site to the new server and the board will be using the updated version of phpbb, I will just have to see how it goes.

**snakeair** · #5 (**permalink**) 11-27-2009, 04:32 PM

Have you read this thread on the phpbb forum about preventing spam? http://www.phpbb.com/community/viewt...f=46&t=1861645

Midwifery Online · #6 (**permalink**) 11-27-2009, 04:46 PM

Yeah thats for the new version, my live board is currently on the previous version but I can't upgrade my live board as there is to many conflicts.

Im moving hosts in december so I have installed the latest version of phpbb on that server and will just transfer the database, on the latest version I have the Q&A spam protection on so hopefully when we move that will be it. I will just have to stick with the spam profile in the previous version of phpbb until we move.

I think I originally made this post before the latest version came out, so didn't know what was new in the newest version.

alter-ego · #7 (**permalink**) 11-27-2009, 07:19 PM

You will still have to upgrade your current forum to the version your upgrading to eventually. Sorry if I misunderstood but it sounds to me like you'll be trying to upload your current db to a newer version of phpbb and that will likely cause all sorts of issues.

Midwifery Online · #8 (**permalink**) 11-28-2009, 12:11 AM

No it works fine As its only one version up. I ran the database update so i get the new tables etc, the database runs quite smoothly with the 3.0.6 files. i was expecting there to be a few probs but there wasnt any atall.

DigitalAlien · #9 (**permalink**) 12-11-2009, 10:44 PM

Have you tested out the new captchas that phpBB now has to fight forum spam?

Midwifery Online · #10 (**permalink**) 12-14-2009, 03:02 PM

On my test site I have and I have set up the Q&A for new registrations. Hopefully that will keep those nasty bots out!

I swear I am on some sort of black list and they are all targetting me!

DigitalAlien · #11 (**permalink**) 12-14-2009, 08:20 PM

I have been testing out their new systems and have found that it greatly helps fight spam. I think that phpBB 3.1 will do even a better job!

Midwifery Online · #12 (**permalink**) 12-15-2009, 03:19 AM

I am looking forward to transferring to the new site, but also terrified aswell. I have to move the domain and I have never done that before, I am just so worried that my site is going to be down for ages, or something is going to go terribly wrong!

~kev~ · #13 (**permalink**) 12-15-2009, 08:12 AM

Create a usergroup - set its permissions the same as the primary group

Edit permissions of primary group so they can not send PM or post profile comments

Create promotion based on post count and X amount of time.

When they see they can not post profile comments or send PMs for a few days and have to have X number of forum post, they will leave and probably never come back.

My forum requires that member have to have 3 forum post, then wait a certain amount of time before they can download attachments, send PMs, post profile comments. The promotion script runs once per hour. So even if the make their 3 post, they will still have to wait.