Spam & Spam Robot filters

[mikeslr]

Some time ago I had bookmarked WeeDogLinux's website. When, for obvious reasons, I realized the need to register here, I absentmindedly clicked on the WeeDogLinux link and registered. Realizing the mistake, I registered here and while so doing noted this difference in the registration process:

Although both this forum and WeeDogLinux use phpBB, to register on WeeDogLinux I had to type in the answer to math equation displayed as a graphic image.

A year or so ago, I looked into setting up a blog with an associated forum. Its content was to be about politics and economics: likely to attract --if no one else -- spammers, hackers and malcontents . So naturally I investigated various prophylactic techniques. As I was considering both phpBB and smf and its been awhile, I don't recall what recommendations went with which. But on the forums for both applications PLEADING for solutions to spammers AND ESPECIALLY BOTS were not uncommon.

Both Forum Software use plugins. I don't recall which had a problem getting, I think, Recaptch3, to work: what google calls 'the no-captcha captcha". But, you know what I think about ceding more power to google in any event. I think recaptcha 2 is a table holding 9 images (3x3) where you have to click only and all those displaying of a particular item, e.g. cars. Wiak may have opted for the original captcha. On one forum a different mechanism was frequently recommended: requiring the typing of answers to a question.

I would think a question such as "What is the latest version number of radky's most recent application for customizing jwm?" would be easy for anyone actually interested in Puppy Linux to find and answer but impossible for bots. Weekly/frequent question changes would prevent valid answers from being share by bot-deployers.

Puppy Linux Discussion is far less likely to attract problems than the forum I was considering. Still, as your forum attracts more attention, some of that attention may be unwanted. Weedoglinux is an even more niche website that Puppy Linux Forum. You might consider asking Wiak why he decided on a spam filter; and why the one he selected.

[Wiz57]

mikeslr,
IIRC, rockedge had implemented one of the captcha things back in Jan 2020, after I had alerted him to
a large volume of bot/spammer posts. He just last week (prior to July 11, 2020) disabled the captcha
per the request of someone at the Murga forum whining about "old browsers not being able to create
an account" at this forum. It can be a fine line between satisfying the needs of forum users and
protecting them at the same time!
Wiz

[Sylvander]

"What is the latest version number of radky's most recent application for customizing jwm?"

I would be unable to answer that question!

[wiak]

You might consider asking Wiak why he decided on a spam filter; and why the one he selected.

Ask away, but I had no part in that decision. Rockedge kindly also provides me the forum space for WeeDogLinux and though I administer it (along with rockedge) I have never myself looked into the login capcha methodology provided.

[mikeslr]

"What is the latest version number of radky's most recent application for customizing jwm?"

I would be unable to answer that question!

Neither would I, , off the top of my head. But once this Forum has a post about it --and a "Wellminded Search" or similar-- anyone interested enough in registering could do a simple search using the terms "radky jwm". Instructions to use the Search Engine could even be given as a Graphic. If the objective is to deter spambots, I'm pretty sure they couldn't generate the right answer.

But even now with only the Search Box provided at the Top-Right of any page, any human could quickly find the name to type in response to this question "Who worked with the Japanese Team to create Wine-Portable?"