How can you limit spam on forums?

[bochgoch]

Originally Posted by mustbenuts

...then set up a UK sms service (free)

Do you mind sharing details of the free sms service?

[tb987]

Originally Posted by mustbenuts

what i did to stop spam was
installed the "no spam" hack on my vbulletin
and then set up a UK sms service (free)

then users text to get a pass code and enter that

i get NO SPAM!

i also make revenue from the texts
and i keep my .co.uk board to UK users only

i havent had one bit of spam yet!

I like the sound of this, could you provide some more details.

Tony

[temi]

Tony, what is the mod called? I need to know what its called to find it at vB support forum.

Thanks

[buffalo]

hehehe.....

At this point, my forum is so small and so new, that I think I would be happy to have some spammers.

[Shadab]

Some steps which can greatly reduce Forum spam :

- Image or any other type of verification at the time of registration

- EMail link activation of accounts

- Prevent users with less than 5 posts to post a live link.

[symbyo sem]

- Image verification and email confirmation will stop the vast majority of automated registrations and bot postings.
- Swear filters are good if the same offenders keep coming back - filter URLs, site names, etc.
- IP blocking is worth a try, but a serious spammer will get around that.
- tighten up your flood control settings to limit the number of messages a bot can post.
- if you haven't done so, be sure you have a "report" link in each message or thread so members can let mods/admins know when they spot spam
- use mass pruning/deletion for quick cleanup.
- check the IPs used to post, and document the spam to the ISP or institution if you see any kind of pattern.
- if your problem is really massive, you could even implement image verification on each new post; this will irritate the membership, though.