Need help to stop spammers signing up...

[jknightuk]

I own, and run a gay guys website. Can't post the link here as I don't want to break any rules... but I need some advice, please?

My website uses Dolphin CMS.. and I have to keep setting the sign-up mode to "Invite Only" status. The reason: Spammers signing up. It got to the point where I had 120 new members sign up only to find out they were all spammers

I've looked everywhere for a solution, but so far nothing... and I don't really want to keep accessing my CPanel area to add IP's to the ban list.

Anyone here got any ideas? I'd be very grateful.. thanks all

 

[FuryOfFirestorm]

They seem to know how to stop spambots:

Ned Batchelder: Stopping spambots with hashes and honeypots

 

[Corny]

You either need a plugin that checks your new sign-ups against spammer databases like stopforumspam or akismet, or you need to modify your signup form to include something unexpected (like an extra field that needs to be filled with a certain value). The spammers can sign up because they know the standard form from your cms. if you change it, 90% of them will get confused.

 

[jknightuk]

thanks, guys... have looked into everything, and have found a solution. This means I can get the site outta the dreaded "Invite Only" status now. I was awake all nite sorting it out lol.

Time for a coffee, methinks

 

[OPHELIA_HARDIN]

So what's your particular solution? Enquiring minds want to know!

PM me if you'd rather not disclose here.

I ask because I'm setting up my first forum and will have to deal with this at some point. I moderate on another forum and it's a PITA!

Best of luck with your website.

 

[FuryOfFirestorm]

I ask because I'm setting up my first forum and will have to deal with this at some point. I moderate on another forum and it's a PITA!

Try hummus. If that doesn't work, go with baba-ganoush.

 

[OPHELIA_HARDIN]

Like this? (weird, because I made this last night...)

I peeled a big eggplant and pressure cooked the ½" cubes for 3 minutes, and let decompress naturally.

I blended them in the Cuisinart with

A. Lemon Juice 2 TBS
B. Chopped fresh Garlic 4 Med cloves
C. Tahini 2 dessert-spoons fulls (3 TBP) (tahini well-mixed)
D. ½ tsp salt
E. ¼ tsp white pepper

I still want to know JKNIGHTUK'S secret!

 

[FuryOfFirestorm]

Like this? (weird, because I made this last night...)

I peeled a big eggplant and pressure cooked the ½" cubes for 3 minutes, and let decompress naturally.

I blended them in the Cuisinart with

A. Lemon Juice 2 TBS
B. Chopped fresh Garlic 4 Med cloves
C. Tahini 2 dessert-spoons fulls (3 TBP) (tahini well-mixed)
D. ½ tsp salt
E. ¼ tsp white pepper

I still want to know JKNIGHTUK'S secret!

Hmm...I usually oven roast the eggplant, but pressure cooking sounds like a good idea. (BTW - I also roast the garlic, which makes it taste 10x better IMO). I also like to add a tsp of cumin and paprika, but that's just me.

 

[jknightuk]

Sorry it took me a while to reply

I decided to go through the websites admin menu.. and look for the sign-up settings process. I've now made it policy that when I get someone sign up, they do not become proper members until a member of the admin team (of which, there is only me right now, as the site only has two members!!) checks the profile. If the profile turns out to be a spammer, it gets deleted.

Still the long-winded way of doin things, I guess.. but at least now I don't have the hassle of deleting lots of spam posts too

 

[OPHELIA_HARDIN]

Thanks for the tips -- I'll try some cumin next time AND I'll disable automatic sign-up.

 

[Dented]

Well, I looked it up for the forum we use and there were a bunch of recommended options including blocking out domains and IP ranges. Another trick recently is to lock out gmail addresses. Most people with Gmail can already use Googlemail instead and can use that as their email address, and spammers still use gmail.

I can post some of the info from my lockout list if you're interested?

 

[Corny]

^ funny that, our anti-spam measures caught your post and the watersports group post immediately

 

[Dented]

^ funny that, our anti-spam measures caught your post and the watersports group post immediately

The link I posted was to the main board owners for the free forum board I've got. As you would have already seen the WS link I posted anyway, if you remove the first four letters and the full stop that takes you to the owners board.

And that forum software is mostly normal decent forums. Just some are more decent than others. But if you checked the link you'd see that, right?