SMF For Free Support Forum

SMF For Free Support => General Support => Topic started by: Songbird on November 13, 2008, 07:29:51 pm

Title: Spammers and Captcha
Post by: Songbird on November 13, 2008, 07:29:51 pm
Forum Url: http://muslimvilla..smfforfree.com
Recently there's been an unusual volume of new members joining my forum with typical spammer IDs but with yahoo and gmail addresses.  I haven't activated their a/cs becoz I don't feel comfortable giving them the benefit of the doubt.  I'm not sure if captcha is enabled at my forum.  I'm trying to locate it at the Admin panel but I'm gettin a bit confused.  Can anyone please give me some guidelines?
Title: Re: Spammers and Captcha
Post by: simply sibyl on November 13, 2008, 07:33:46 pm
Yeah there's a lotta spambot traffic lately.

Go to Admin > Registration > Settings

You'll see:   Complexity of visual verification image  there


Title: Re: Spammers and Captcha
Post by: Songbird on November 13, 2008, 07:39:58 pm
Thanks sybil.  I'm there now but I can't quite follow it.  what do I do next?
Title: Re: Spammers and Captcha
Post by: Songbird on November 13, 2008, 07:40:59 pm
Sorry for sounding dumb  :( ..  :)
Title: Re: Spammers and Captcha
Post by: simply sibyl on November 13, 2008, 07:49:46 pm
Dont be silly - ya don't sound dumb..........

On the settings page in Admin > Registration:  
Use the dropdown box across from Complexity of visual verification image:
Choose how you want it set -  for now with all the spammers out and about I would set it to High.
Cant guarantee it will stop them from registering hon..     but since you have it set to Member Approval YOU have control over who gets approved and who does not..     that helps a lot.
Title: Re: Spammers and Captcha
Post by: Songbird on November 14, 2008, 03:23:09 pm
Thanks a billion sybil.  I've done just that.   Even if it helps a little I can breathe a sigh of relief.  Just today until 2 in the afternoon 8 spammers signed in.  Normally I wud get that many genuine members in 4 to 6 weeks.  and yes i have it on member approval.  that's a big help.

BTW - there's another drop down arrow across 'required strength for user password.'  It's at medium.  would changing that too help in any way?

Title: Re: Spammers and Captcha
Post by: simply sibyl on November 14, 2008, 03:57:29 pm
Thanks a billion sybil.  I've done just that.   Even if it helps a little I can breathe a sigh of relief.  Just today until 2 in the afternoon 8 spammers signed in.  Normally I wud get that many genuine members in 4 to 6 weeks.  and yes i have it on member approval.  that's a big help.

BTW - there's another drop down arrow across 'required strength for user password.'  It's at medium.  would changing that too help in any way?


From what I have read, no it wont help
Title: Re: Spammers and Captcha
Post by: SyntaxBlitz on November 14, 2008, 08:25:10 pm
That would probably only help in situations where the spammers use simple passwords.
Title: Re: Spammers and Captcha
Post by: SMF For Free on November 14, 2008, 08:49:37 pm
Added ReCAPTCHA to all forums today to help as well when a user registers.
Title: Re: Spammers and Captcha
Post by: Songbird on November 18, 2008, 02:47:29 pm
Added ReCAPTCHA to all forums today to help as well when a user registers.

Okay,thanks.  can anyone please guide me where to find this added option 'Recaptcha' in Admin panel?
Title: Re: Spammers and Captcha
Post by: simply sibyl on November 18, 2008, 02:55:54 pm
Added ReCAPTCHA to all forums today to help as well when a user registers.

Okay,thanks.  can anyone please guide me where to find this added option 'Recaptcha' in Admin panel?

You don't have to do anything..  its something SMF for Free added - there are no settings you have to do for it.
Title: Re: Spammers and Captcha
Post by: Songbird on November 18, 2008, 04:20:28 pm
Added ReCAPTCHA to all forums today to help as well when a user registers.

Okay,thanks.  can anyone please guide me where to find this added option 'Recaptcha' in Admin panel?

You don't have to do anything..  its something SMF for Free added - there are no settings you have to do for it.

O!  ok sybil, thanks :)