Spam squelch suggestions

[Bilgefisher]

Sadly the spammers have already found you.  Many others who are on this forum will have ideas on how to help stop the spam, so I created this thread.  Nothing kills a forum quicker than spam.

-limit links in threads to those with x number of posts.  5-50.  Whatever you deem useful.
-have a spam slam tally. Encourage users to report spam.  Keep a running tally of those who report the most spam and share with the board.
-limit signature links.
-get help from others to moderate your board.  The large volume of spammers can overwhelm your valuable free time.

[Peter]

Thanks Jason. Wow - in 48 hours I had about 10 spam posts. I will definitely look into some of these suggestions today. Any more suggestions would also be welcome.

[nonattender]

They can't post spam if they can't get an account.  Some sort of captcha and an email ack verification, when signing up for an account...
This is a fairly popular forum software - I'm sure such modules exist - or may even have been built into the admin backend at this point.

Technological and algorithmic solutions to be preferred at all costs;  human moderation (ie, giving spammers your time) is not an option.

[Peter]

Thanks. I just did some quick research and there are a ton of options out there for the software I use. I will take a look through these and implement something in the next day or two.

[nonattender]

Growing at a rate of about 75 "new users" per day - better hurry up and turn on email verification and get a turing test installed or it's roboland...

[Peter]

Growing at a rate of about 75 "new users" per day - better hurry up and turn on email verification and get a turing test installed or it's roboland...

I have looked into some of the spam helpers for SMF but am having some trouble implementing them. And spam is getting worse daily. Does anything know an SMF expert I could hire?

[Bilgefisher]

Peter,

I can't say who would be best, but perhaps try elance or odesk.  They might have some simple inexpensive fixes for you.  Btw, I think you can search for folks that have the direct SMF experience.  Many will have a portfolio for you to view.

Do not put out a job request though, everyone will claim to have that experience.  You are better off contacting the ones you like directly.

Jason

[Peter]

Peter,

I can't say who would be best, but perhaps try elance or odesk.  They might have some simple inexpensive fixes for you.  Btw, I think you can search for folks that have the direct SMF experience.  Many will have a portfolio for you to view.

Do not put out a job request though, everyone will claim to have that experience.  You are better off contacting the ones you like directly.

Jason

Thanks Jason, I have found someone through the SMF forum. He will be working on the site tomorrow. By the end of the week we should be spam free.