[Rant] Spam - When Enough is Enough

[Raybie]

[t]http://cloudfront.bostinno.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/No-Spam.png[/t]

Spam - When enough is enough

Apologies for the influx of spammers recently. They have pushed me to install various plugins designed to prevent spam in the following ways:

A) StopForumSpam Filter
New registrations are checked against the StopForumSpam.com database. If any ONE of username, email, or IP is matched, registration is auto denied.

B) Auto Moderation and Newbies Group
All new registrants that make it past the first line of defence will be placed in a Newbies Group with limited permissions. Newbies cannot start new threads, but can view and reply to existing threads, HOWEVER, replies will not be posted until approved by a Moderator (Auto Moderation). Upon 3 or more approved posts, the user will automatically be moved into the Registered Users group wherein standard forum features are unlocked. Additionally, any posts containing popular spam words will automatically be placed on the Auto Moderation queue for approval.
Note 1: Existing members in the Registered Users group with less than 3 posts will be subject to Auto Moderation.
Note 2: Inactive accounts will be auto deleted, all new registrations are subject to Auto Moderation.

C) Akismet Service
Actively checks 10 posts from every member against the Akismet database. If matching content is found, the post will be placed on Auto Moderation and details automatically submitted to the Akismet database.

D) Punitive Action
If the spammer gets through all lines of defence, their details can be submitted to the StopForumSpam and Akismet databases with a couple of clicks, thereby preventing registration on other forums. When other forums do the same, live protection is reciprocated.
Moderators note: To select posts for spam action, tick the checkbox at the top right corner of individual posts, then click the Moderation Tools button, and choose "Spam-O-Matic". Follow the prompts to delete all the posts & PMs etc made by the spammer, + submit their details to the databases. Refer to the screenshots:

[t]http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/8957/postbitmodtools.jpg[/t][t]http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/6831/wizardki.jpg[/t]

Enhanced CAPTCHA and Image Verification (Pending consideration)
Requires registrants to answer basic questions based on UNIQUE images chosen by the webmaster.

[Dengero]

nuuu dont delete inactive accounts with 50+ posts imo. Also make it 1 post for moderation so not to discourage new users xD

[spoiledbrat]

thanks for dealing with this problem! that's lot of defenses, i hope that doesn't mean i have to do a ton of moderating :p