How does vBulletin handle spammers?

[2door]

The big thing is that I allow unregistered users to post and participate. That is how it's got to be. The current board i'm using isn't cutting it. I've got spammers using open proxies and spamming non stop. What does vBulletin offer to help prevent this? Flood control? I added a captcha feature, but that didn't help. If someone could please give me a detailed rundown on security features. The only reason i'm considering purchasing vBulletin is to put an end to the spamming.

Thanks

[derfy]

The new version 3.6.0 - currently in beta - uses captcha images. It sounds like the ones you use aren't very good. Either that, or you have some inventive spammers.

[2door]

The new version 3.6.0 - currently in beta - uses captcha images. It sounds like the ones you use aren't very good. Either that, or you have some inventive spammers.

When are they releasing 3.6?

What about the current version? How can it handle spammers? I want to make sure before I purchase, but I do need something ASAP --

[Zachery]

If you buy a license right now, you can get 3.6 beta 2 which would do what you want. Its just not offically supported right now.

[2door]

If you buy a license right now, you can get 3.6 beta 2 which would do what you want. Its just not offically supported right now.

Okay, very cool...

Can you expand on the security features and how it helps stop and prevent spamming though? That, like I said, is the only reason i'm considering purchasing, because my current bbs lacks the secuirty power. I've got some very very tough spammers, i've tried lots of tricks that they can get around. From what i've heard vBulletin is the toughest against spammers.

Thanks

[conqsoft]

It requires them to enter the letters/numbers shown in an image each time they post.

[2door]

It requires them to enter the letters/numbers shown in an image each time they post.

Is there flood control? Do they have to wait like 30 seconds between posts?

[conqsoft]

Yes, there's a setting for that also.

[2door]

Yes, there's a setting for that also.

Even for unregistered users? All these questions pretty much pertain to unregistered users, as that is my main user base.

[Zachery]

Any reason you don't want to let users register? I'm not sure how the post flood control is controled for unregstered users as they may be able to avoid it, but the captcha should slow them down signficantly

[2door]

Any reason you don't want to let users register? I'm not sure how the post flood control is controled for unregstered users as they may be able to avoid it, but the captcha should slow them down signficantly

I allow registration. It's just a totally open message board. You can post unregistered, or registered. The problem is, I already have a captcha on my current bbs (probably not as good as this one) and it doesn't slow them down one bit. I'm hoping this place has more security, and a better way to fight off spammers. I don't want to purchase this and go through the trouble of transferring over all the information, if it's not going to improve security at all.

[Zachery]

Try a demo then and see if it fits your needs

http://www.vbulletin.com/go/demo

[simsim]

I allow registration. It's just a totally open message board. You can post unregistered, or registered. The problem is, I already have a captcha on my current bbs (probably not as good as this one) and it doesn't slow them down one bit. I'm hoping this place has more security, and a better way to fight off spammers. I don't want to purchase this and go through the trouble of transferring over all the information, if it's not going to improve security at all.
I don't know what type of forums yours is, but it is very wise not to allow unregistered users to gain the same advantages registered users have. You can set only one forum which guests can post at while restircting posting on other forums to registered members. Registration indicates loyalty; yet a more stable & secured forum.

[feldon23]

The big thing is that I allow unregistered users to post and participate. That is how it's got to be.
If you are going to completely leave the door open, then you have to expect problems. vBulletin has great anti-spam features but it sounds like you want them all turned off so anyone can post. Not a good idea. The few AOLers and other people you lose who refuse to register is more than made up for by the quality of your forum being spam-free. I think requiring registration results in a higher quality of user anyway. If someone has to actually engage their brain and identify themselves to me, they're less likely to be a flake. Every forum operator who has the lofty goal of having an "open" forum inevitably gets tired of the spam and adds at least SOME degree of security. It's just a matter of when.

If you really want to leave the door open, then you can at least check each message at the door before it's visible to the public. I'm talking about Post and Thread moderation, where unregistered users can post but that post won't be visible to the public until you Approve it.

I do use a free Plugin from vBulletin.org which lets me prevent certain usergroups from using IMG, URL, and other tags. Unregistered Users cannot post URLs, Images, etc.

As you've noticed, the Captcha only prevents automated spammers. A real human who visits your forum and spams can't be blocked by a Captcha.

[2door]

If you are going to completely leave the door open, then you have to expect problems. vBulletin has great anti-spam features but it sounds like you want them all turned off so anyone can post. Not a good idea. The few AOLers and other people you lose who refuse to register is more than made up for by the quality of your forum being spam-free. I think requiring registration results in a higher quality of user anyway. If someone has to actually engage their brain and identify themselves to me, they're less likely to be a flake. Every forum operator who has the lofty goal of having an "open" forum inevitably gets tired of the spam and adds at least SOME degree of security. It's just a matter of when.

If you really want to leave the door open, then you can at least check each message at the door before it's visible to the public. I'm talking about Post and Thread moderation, where unregistered users can post but that post won't be visible to the public until you Approve it.

I do use a free Plugin from vBulletin.org which lets me prevent certain usergroups from using IMG, URL, and other tags. Unregistered Users cannot post URLs, Images, etc.

As you've noticed, the Captcha only prevents automated spammers. A real human who visits your forum and spams can't be blocked by a Captcha.

Oh yeah, I totally understand what your talking about. The reason my board is like that, is most people enjoy being able to post whatever they want, anonymously (detached from their usernames)

Is there a feature that limits posting to 30, or 40 seconds between being able to post again? The board i'm using now has that, but it doesn't work for unregistered users.

[feldon23]

I *think* it works for unregistered users on vB too, via Sessions.

[2door]

I *think* it works for unregistered users on vB too, via Sessions.

That would be great. Can anyone verify?

[badblu01]

over the last week i have had 10 new members join and they have all been posting spam i have to delete their posts and ban some of them for repate voliations.

[Gomjaba]

That would be great. Can anyone verify?

You could try it yourself :)

Try a demo then and see if it fits your needs

http://www.vbulletin.com/go/demo

[feldon23]

over the last week i have had 10 new members join and they have all been posting spam i have to delete their posts and ban some of them for repate voliations.
Create a new group Registered (Confirmed). Move all your users with 1 post that is not spam to Registered (Confirmed).

Moderate all the posts of Registered.

Disallow posting by Unregistered.

Now you have to approve the first 1-2 posts of every user and then promote them to Registered (Confirmed).