9 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
9 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

I need Advice on Hijacked Forum

by babarapho
8 replies
I have a Forum solely targeted to discussion on Internet marketing, but of recent it has been hijacked by pornography postings. I have about 700 member and about 600 of them are making pornography postings. I recently barred any new posting on this forum. I need your advice on what to do with this forum.
#advice #forum #hijacked
  • Profile picture of the author Darren Mothersele
    PM me a link and I can take a look at your site.

    What forum software are you using?

    Does this software have any system to prevent bot signups? For example, CAPTCHA entry?

    Depending on your forum software you may be able to integrate with spam prevention services such as Akismet or Mollom.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[366909].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Darren Mothersele
    thanks for the PM.

    you're using Simple Machines forum. have a look at this:

    Spam Accounts

    and this...

    CAPTCHA (Code Verification)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[367190].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author AgileHosting
    Well, it's pretty simple ... clean it out, and lock it down.

    (1) Clean out the spam accounts and posts; and

    (2) Enable and install whatever means are available to prevent spammers from getting to your forum:

    • Activations require manual administrator approval
    • CAPTCHA
    • require additional information beyond just the required usual stuff (favorite color, number of pets, favorite amateur or pro sport -- anything that a bot wouldn't just auto-fill because the form fields are not in the regular order).
    • and a "prove you're human" simple question (like "what is 1+3") -- not sure what SMF calls this specifically

    Now re-activate new sign-ups.

    With the above measures in place, it should be very hard for spambots to slip through.

    Good luck with your board!

    Bailey
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[367445].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author radhika
      CAPTHA is no longer working for me. Spammers somehow registering.

      So I moved to random questions and answers method with admin approval. I hate manual work but can't help it (I am using vbulletin)

      .
      Signature
      Follow up Autoresponder PRO :: 33% Discount!!
      FREE Upgrades! IMPROVED Email Deliverability!!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[367477].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Lance K
      Buy a license for vBulletin.
      Signature
      "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want."
      ~ Zig Ziglar
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[367480].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Valdor Kiebach
    I installed a smf for a client (with tiny portal) and got a plugin that allowed extra fields to be used in the sign up process, you can make these fields required so by adding a few extra required fileds and captcha you should be able to prevent a few bots from signing up.

    I regularly check the forum I installed and its spam free, and it is also a popular forum for the lord of the rings online game.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[367833].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author babarapho
      Originally Posted by Valdor Kiebach View Post

      I installed a smf for a client (with tiny portal) and got a plugin that allowed extra fields to be used in the sign up process, you can make these fields required so by adding a few extra required fileds and captcha you should be able to prevent a few bots from signing up.

      I regularly check the forum I installed and its spam free, and it is also a popular forum for the lord of the rings online game.

      Thanks for the advice. I will try this out
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[370046].message }}

Trending Topics