Spambots

[Raditude]

I don't know what happened to suddenly make a whole bunch of spam bots start attacking the site, but I have a possible solution. Not sure if it'll work on this version of VB, but there may be something similar.

http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=156444

One-touch Spam Ban and Cleanup

The main purpose of this mod is to clean up after a spammer. With a minimum of fuss it will:

* Delete all threads started by the spammer
* Delete all posts made by the spammer
* Delete all PMs sent to other members by the spammer
* Delete all calendar events made by the spammer
* Ban or delete the spammer as you like
* Ignore permissions - posts can be deleted in areas that a moderator may not have access to.

The option to activate this tool appears in the drop-down menu in the postbit, as well as on the profile page. From here it is a "one-touch" operation, with the small exception that you must press a confirmation button before the cleanup is made.



See the screenshot for the various options, but some of the more interesting ones are:

* You can specify individual users (in addition to groups) who can use this tool. This means certain trusted, non-moderator users could have the ability to clean up spam and ban spammers.
* You can specify users or groups who are protected - they cannot be deleted by this tool.
* By default, users who have registered more than 30 days ago are also protected from this tool (spammers tend to be caught and removed fairly soon after registration)
* You can turn the various deletion targets (threads, posts, events, PMs) on or off
* Select between hard delete or soft delete

This mod is similar to some older mods, but improved in a number of ways:

* You also have the choice to alter the standard ban and delete reasons before you press confirm.
* Deletes more types of spam (PMs, events)
* Simple, quick, effective
* Single file import (.xml) no file edits, no template edits, no .php files to upload
* Should work on all versions of 3.6.x and future versions

Installation

Download and import the .xml file via AdminCP -> Plugins & Products -> Manage Products -> Add/Import Product. Remember to click overwrite if upgrading

Configuration

Once installed, check in your AdminCP under "VBulletin settings" and look for the configuration group called "One-touch Spam Ban & Cleanup Options". The default options should be fine for most people.

How to use

If you have rights to use this tool (i.e. are an admin or moderator, or have configured it for the relevant user or group ID) you should see the option appear on the member profile page, or in a drop-down on the postbit (see attached screenshots for an example). The idea is that as soon as you see a spammer select the "One-touch Ban & Clean" option to remove all trace of the spammer.

Support



Support will be given to those who have:

* Read these instructions (and followed them) and
* Clicked install

Version history

1.0 - initial version (28.08.2007)
1.1 - security fix (21.09.2007)
1.2b - Beta Fix to work with vb3.7.0 (20.05.2008)

http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=183244

Spam Decimator

This is an updated version of my previous extension, Spam Decimator 1.0.x. This is for vB versions 3.7.0 and up. It may work with 3.6.8PL2 and up, but I cannot confirm this.

Features Include:

-Ban a spammer with two clicks.

-Delete all threads by a user (soft or permanent, ACP configurable)

-Delete all posts by a user (again, soft or permanent, choice is yours)

-NEW! Delete any spam comments and log them as well.

-Permit or deny mod/super mod access through ACP

-Email the spammer saying pretty much haha, caught you sucker (default email can be configured using ACP)

-Email the webmaster informing him/her of the attack

-Option to move all soft deleted threads to a specified forum (for safe keeping in case IP addresses or whatnot are later needed for legal proceedings or whatever)

Most everything here works with vB native functions (i.e. delete_thread, etc.), so forum, thread, and post counters are automatically updated.

Install

Installing is quite simple. Simply upload the included files (three of them, decimator.php, includes/functions_decimator.php, and images/misc/spambutton.gif) preserving hierarchy and import the product file, and voila! you're done and ready to take on any spammer who comes your way.

***NOTE: if template hooks do not work for you, see the install file included in the package for instructions.

Other Stuff

**UPDATED!!!

Tested and functioning with vBulletin 3.7.1. I make no guarantees about compatibility with other versions.

Spam Decimator 2.0.0 is slated for a late June 2008 release, with a features list to follow.

That's basically it. Enjoy, and as always, click install

Changes:
1.0.1 - Fixed problems with xml product file, validated for use with vB 3.5 Gold release.

1.0.2 - Fixed mod/super mod access bug as well as fixed templates for non-vB default styles.

1.0.3 - Fixed all known remaining bugs, rewrote email system to properly parse emails using native vB functions.

1.0.4 - Attempted to fix bug I can't find...updated main template.

1.0.5 - Fixed no mod access bug.

1.5.0 - Added post count limit to be decimatable, added plugin to control display of Decimator button. Fixed minor issues, rewrote several functions for improved performance.

1.5.1 - Fixed bugs, added vBulletin blog comment compatibility.

-RD

[Green Mystic Ranger]

There's really been a lot of them recently, and some of the stuff they post is completely vulgar. Not sure why there has been more a lot recently but I think we should try and find something to stop them completely, which would be quite impossible, but it's worth a shot if it works, anyway.

[Dark Phoenix]

If you just ignore them and dont post in the threads they make you'll be fine. Most likley they will be deleted by an Admin or super-mod.

[Raditude]

I know this, but some of the threads that are posted have pictures depicting sex acts. I personally don't want to see them, but it should also be noted we have kids coming to this site. This is a family site. Many times those threads aren't deleted for a few hours. If I find them, how do you know some kid won't find them? What I suggest is installing one of those plugins and allow certain longtime trusted members to have one click access to stopping the spammers.

This would make it virtually foolproof:

* You can specify individual users (in addition to groups) who can use this tool. This means certain trusted, non-moderator users could have the ability to clean up spam and ban spammers.
* You can specify users or groups who are protected - they cannot be deleted by this tool.
* By default, users who have registered more than 30 days ago are also protected from this tool (spammers tend to be caught and removed fairly soon after registration)

A non-mod couldn't delete an established member, no matter how annoying they are.

[Dark Phoenix]

Yeah i saw them too but the they title the threads with a vulgar words as well. So if you read it then you should know not to post in it. But I still like your idea :)

[Green Mystic Ranger]

I think Raditude is thinking of the younger people looking at them the most, thats probably his main concern at the moment. And I agree, the pictures that they post sometimes should be kept off the board, because the younger people shouldn't have to see stuff like that.

[chriz]

We are been invaded by spam bots. I have seen this before, They come and before long the sites are destroyed replaced only by adverts. They, they come from no where. I have seen them. Eyes as red as blood. EVERYTHING YOU HOLD DEAR WILL BE DESTROYED. Trust me people turn around and walk away. When the Spam bots come they will kill you if you stay.


To help out the site I went to a Police Sketch Artist and told them what I saw. This is what we are up against :


http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/8551/spambotfn9.png (http://imageshack.us)




Run and never look back please I beg of you.

[Green Mystic Ranger]

Chriz, this is a serious thread please don't post stuff like that. Otherwise a mod will close it down...

[chriz]

Chriz, this is a serious thread please don't post stuff like that. Otherwise a mod will close it down...

Sorry, I'll stop.

[Raging Phoenix]

Rad: Thanks for the tips but we have that system already. We can delete posts and threads in two ways. One is just delete them. The other is "Delete as spam", which unlocks those options. That way all posts made by the user are deleted and the user is banned (at least, those are the options we get to choose from). I'll ask Mike whether there is some setting we're currently missing, since the spambots seem to go through the roof lately, but getting them banned and deleting their post is no problem. Pretty much each new spammed ad is a new bot.