PHPBB And Spam

Is anyone running an install of phpBB (the forum software) that suffers a lot from visits by unfriendly spam bots? I look after three sites which have full installs of phpBB, all three are two subversions behind the latest release – but thats ok. Two of them don’t suffer any spam problems. One of them is just six months ‘younger’ than the spammed forum.

The spammed forum in question doesn’t allow the public read access unless you’re logged in. A user must also click a link in an activation email – you think that would at least work, but no! So I add a graphical captcha to the user registration forms (something that doesn’t exist on the other two), it is six alphanumeric characters strong, combination of uppercase, lowercase and numbers but it STILL doesn’t solve the problem.

What was a great automated feature has now meant there is an admin team manually approving registrations on a daily basis and deleting anywhere between three and ten spambot registrations a day.

Anyone ever have a similar problem?

4 Comments

  1. Thomas March 14, 2007 at 9:00 am

    I also have this problem.
    I am really close to switch to another forum software.
    Simple Machines forum is the best candidate.
    It seems like some spambots specializes in phpbb.

    Only 2 weeks old the forum was spamed and it is increasing. 10-20 bots a day + manual delete is a pain in the …

    If anybody have a solution I am interested but SMF is going to be the solution very soon.

  2. KenMarshall April 17, 2007 at 11:54 pm

    Thanks for helping

  3. Richardhelper September 11, 2007 at 12:18 am

    Hello guys ! This is Richard again ,
    Im here again to help you solve the comment spam problem ,I got tons of emails and wasnt able to help all of you but Ill do my best. I am a very nice guy actually, and I want to save the internet world! As I told you I know a lot of spammers because my wife Dosia and I work at a large link spam company.When I saw the blogs , guestbooks and forums full of spammy links I was shocked! I wanted to stop this pest,and I know there is a note book in the office where these techniques are kept secret.Im trying hard to find this secret book.As soon as I find it Ill tell you guys how to prevent the spam comments.Im in danger now guys because my boss will spank me hard for this if he finds out I want to ruin his business!I feel very guilty because these people gave a job for us and we are ruining their business.I know they have a website and they look for links thats why i asked you for a link to their site for me not to feel so guilty and do something good for them too.My wife and I will probably be fired:( But we are r
    eady for this to save you. Thank you guys, dont worry,Ill help all of you.Please believe me and our dream will come true.

    From Richard and Dosia with love. icq 454 528 835