Spam & Spam Robot filters
Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2020 6:32 pm
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.
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.
, 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.