A week without spammers on an SMF Forum

Hatari · 2010-02-08 12:45 pm

It may be coincidence or it maybe they have just got fed up with being spotted, thanks to the SFS database.

What I did do a week ago was to increase the level of complexity of the visual verification image to High. After that no more spam registrations.

I pass it on for what it is worth no evidence either way.

Hatari · 2010-02-20 8:40 am

Well three weeks and no spammers have managed to register with the SMF CAPTCHA set to high. They attempt registration and then go away. It makes me smile to watch them:)

Last edited by Hatari (2010-02-20 8:44 am)

Spud · 2010-02-20 5:55 pm

Indeed it is a great releif but do remember that a high complex capatcha that is hard to read or get right will also deter many legitimate users. I know this as been there as I have had new people shy away from my site for this reason until I changed it to an easier one and took other measures to stop spammers. Many people will sooner go elsewhere than sod about trying to get a capatcha correct.

Hatari · 2010-02-20 6:02 pm

Spud, that was a concern of mine. I asked the new members and only one had any problems. All she did was to click the audio button and in she came. Watching the online log I have yet to see anyone fail except spammers. I will keep watching and see if it becomes a problem.

Thanks for the concern

Spud · 2010-02-21 6:32 am

Looks like you have this sorted You may want to have some backup capatchas or ability to edit your current one as in time it will become useless as there are groups who spend all day inputting capatcha codes which are sold onto spammers and other criminals so they can update their scripts and get access to the sites. Just a tip

Hatari · 2010-02-21 7:13 am

Thanks Spud, As well as the username etc checker linked to SFS as the final fall back for the existing capatcha. We have a maths version and question and answer version sitting waiting in the wings.

Must admit I did not think the capatcha would last this long. I think the letters are locally produce, not via a link to capatcha. Maybe it is the varying backgrounds to the individual letters, don't know. fingers crossed it lasts a while.

Last edited by Hatari (2010-02-21 7:14 am)

Hatari · 2010-03-06 7:03 am

The capatcha is still holding and keeping the spammers out. No spammers registered for a month.

Also the number of attempts seems to be falling.

#1 2010-02-08 12:45 pm

A week without spammers on an SMF Forum

#2 2010-02-20 8:40 am

Re: A week without spammers on an SMF Forum

#3 2010-02-20 5:55 pm

Re: A week without spammers on an SMF Forum

#4 2010-02-20 6:02 pm

Re: A week without spammers on an SMF Forum

#5 2010-02-21 6:32 am

Re: A week without spammers on an SMF Forum

#6 2010-02-21 7:13 am

Re: A week without spammers on an SMF Forum

#7 2010-03-06 7:03 am

Re: A week without spammers on an SMF Forum

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