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I apologize in advance if this isn't the correct forum to post this in; it seemed the most applicable one that I saw.
Due to the rather aggressive increase in bot activity that I've seen across many of my forums, I've developed "bot buster" mod and I'm offering it to the Snitz community (and several of the other major message boards as well).
I've bundled up a drop-in BotBuster mod for Snitz that people are welcome to use. Technically it's not 100% "drop-in", but it's very, very close. It's all self-contained in one file, requires NO database modifications, and should require only one minor edit to the registration file. (You'll also want to set a couple of very simple configuration options in the BotBuster file, but that's it.)
It uses the http://BotScout.com API to check registration emails and reject known bots. Because it uses the BotScout API you don't have to host anything, change your database, or do any complicated modifications to your code. BoutScout.com keeps a list of emails, IPs, and user names that bots use and makes them available through a simple API (as well as manual searches).
Full Disclosure:
I'm the owner/operator of http://BotScout.com. What we do is trap bots by using a large number of "bot honeypot" forms located on a bunch of our sites. We then publish that information so people can use it to screen registration attempts. smile
I've included configuration options for SMF, VBulletin, phpBB, Phorum, PunBB, Invision Power Board, FUDForum, Ikonboard, Snitz, and W-Agora. It can be used on virtually any kind of forum, contact page, or web form.
The code and a ReadMe file are available for download here: http://www.botscout.com/code.htm (click the "Download BotScout BotBuster ver. 1.10" link). If you use it I'd love to hear about it.
If anyone would like to write up specific installation instructions for the Snitz Forum code, I'll gladly include it in the ReadMe.txt file.
Also, if anyone would like to create a Snitz-specific mod or plugin using the BotScout API, I'd be very interested in helping and would be happy to publish the code or a link to the mod on the BotScout site. The API is simple and easy-to-use, and the API details can be found here: http://botscout.com/api.htm.
MrMike
http://BotScout.com
<
Due to the rather aggressive increase in bot activity that I've seen across many of my forums, I've developed "bot buster" mod and I'm offering it to the Snitz community (and several of the other major message boards as well).
I've bundled up a drop-in BotBuster mod for Snitz that people are welcome to use. Technically it's not 100% "drop-in", but it's very, very close. It's all self-contained in one file, requires NO database modifications, and should require only one minor edit to the registration file. (You'll also want to set a couple of very simple configuration options in the BotBuster file, but that's it.)
It uses the http://BotScout.com API to check registration emails and reject known bots. Because it uses the BotScout API you don't have to host anything, change your database, or do any complicated modifications to your code. BoutScout.com keeps a list of emails, IPs, and user names that bots use and makes them available through a simple API (as well as manual searches).
Full Disclosure:
I'm the owner/operator of http://BotScout.com. What we do is trap bots by using a large number of "bot honeypot" forms located on a bunch of our sites. We then publish that information so people can use it to screen registration attempts. smile
I've included configuration options for SMF, VBulletin, phpBB, Phorum, PunBB, Invision Power Board, FUDForum, Ikonboard, Snitz, and W-Agora. It can be used on virtually any kind of forum, contact page, or web form.
The code and a ReadMe file are available for download here: http://www.botscout.com/code.htm (click the "Download BotScout BotBuster ver. 1.10" link). If you use it I'd love to hear about it.
If anyone would like to write up specific installation instructions for the Snitz Forum code, I'll gladly include it in the ReadMe.txt file.
Also, if anyone would like to create a Snitz-specific mod or plugin using the BotScout API, I'd be very interested in helping and would be happy to publish the code or a link to the mod on the BotScout site. The API is simple and easy-to-use, and the API details can be found here: http://botscout.com/api.htm.
MrMike
http://BotScout.com
<
Posted
No problem! I was so use to never having to question anything since these threads are rich with everything one needs to implement any fix or mod in one graceful motion. Not this time. . I was caught off guard by it. The updated files link was dead, so I used what was available in this thread. All went smoothly as always and it didn't even cross my mind to test it before deciding to come back and leave a post with a finish since it looks like something froze all interest that isn't documented here.
I have a problem asking questions about anything that doesn't already exist to some extent in the thread since my questions are off topic otherwise and maybe none of business I don't know..and every question I had concerned this thread suddenly becoming an oil painting frozen in time without forward motion or closure. What happened? Why is the Google link that still has the introduction "Updates will always be found at this link" not a link anymore? Was war declare between the sites? Were the participants abducted by Aliens??
As for my disappointment with the application, maybe I expected too much from Botscout.. since it doesn't do anything that 3.04.7 wasn't already doing. keeping the spam bots out and quarantined(metaphorically) in "Members Pending". I needed them locked outside. Not pending inside. I have no time for routine tasks let alone having to manually ban bot IPs every 2 minutes. It brings up no errors but neither does it do what they promise.
..but thank you for replying even though I wasn't requesting a reply, I'm happy you're still Alien abduction free! Give my regards to the others should they be set free.. I mean, given time and therapy..I'm sure Alien abduntion is very tramatic..lol...
Hey! Just a thought! Maybe the Aliens could finish this thread!
..so now you'll know not to mention my asking or not asking questions in the future and just count your blessings I remain silent and simply enjoy the topics quietly without any problems 99% of the time..
cheers!
'droid
I have a problem asking questions about anything that doesn't already exist to some extent in the thread since my questions are off topic otherwise and maybe none of business I don't know..and every question I had concerned this thread suddenly becoming an oil painting frozen in time without forward motion or closure. What happened? Why is the Google link that still has the introduction "Updates will always be found at this link" not a link anymore? Was war declare between the sites? Were the participants abducted by Aliens??
As for my disappointment with the application, maybe I expected too much from Botscout.. since it doesn't do anything that 3.04.7 wasn't already doing. keeping the spam bots out and quarantined(metaphorically) in "Members Pending". I needed them locked outside. Not pending inside. I have no time for routine tasks let alone having to manually ban bot IPs every 2 minutes. It brings up no errors but neither does it do what they promise.
..but thank you for replying even though I wasn't requesting a reply, I'm happy you're still Alien abduction free! Give my regards to the others should they be set free.. I mean, given time and therapy..I'm sure Alien abduntion is very tramatic..lol...
Hey! Just a thought! Maybe the Aliens could finish this thread!
..so now you'll know not to mention my asking or not asking questions in the future and just count your blessings I remain silent and simply enjoy the topics quietly without any problems 99% of the time..
cheers!
'droid
Posted
If you're looking to keep them out (before they hit the pending registration) you may want to hunt down the thread that talks about rejecting registration attempts with the same first and last names. Unless you're Mitch Mitchell (and not even then) real registrants don't use the exact same first and last names. Its been helpful in keeping out some of the more simple spam bots - but that's another topic for another thread.