[3.1][3.2][RC] Obscure Registration Code (SPAM stopper)

[Administrator]

Extension Name: Obscure Registration Code
Author: HiFiKabin

Extension Description: Adds a Java Script encoded code at the foot of your forum to allow you to have a totally SPAMbot free registration system. The fact that humans will find it easy to read does not mean that SPAMbots will. The JaveScript encoding and additional SPAMbot field in the ACP will make it harder for them. The code is not shown to logged on users as they have no use for it.

What this Extension is not: It is NOT a stand alone anti SPAM signup Extension, it NEEDS to be used in conjunction with the built in Q&A CAPTCHA with the code as the ONLY correct answer.

Notes: The user needs to have JavaScript enabled to read the registration code. Should a user have JS disabled there is a warning telling them that they need to switch it on to view the code. The user can copy/paste the code direct to the registration page.

Extension Setup:

1. Enable the extension and using the Random Code Generator supplied on the Extensions Configuration page create a random string then add it in the "Registration Code" field.
2. Again using the Random Code Generator change both "ChangeMe"s to something different to the above code, as well as different from each other.
3. Then go to the Spambot Countermeasures part of the ACP and configure the Q&A CAPTCHA.
   
   Administration Control Panel (ACP) > Spambot countermeasures> Installed plugins > click the dropdown box and select Q&A (it will be greyed out)
4. Click the configure button then click add
5. Add the question "What is the Registration Code shown at the bottom of the forum?"
6. Add the answer which is the code you used in step 1 above
7. Repeat for each language you have installed on the board, with the answer EXACTLY the same as stage 4
8. Set "Strict Check" to "yes" to ensure the code is entered EXACTLY as displayed
9. Click submit
10. Click "back to previous page" then click "back"
11. Select Q&A from the dropdown box (again)
12. Click submit at the bottom of the page.
13. Done.

Language:

• EN

Extension Version: 1.0.0-RC7 (if you are updating from RC1 or earlier, please disable and delete data before installing this version)

Supported Styles:

• prosilver

Screenshots:

ORC_ACP.jpg

ORC_GUEST.jpg

ORC_GUEST_JS_ON.jpg

ORC_GUEST_JS_OFF.jpg

ORC_MEMBER.jpg

Live Demo : https://time.hifikabin.me.uk/

Installation:

• Download the latest release and unzip it.
• Upload the folder hifikabin to root/ext/ and enable it in the ACP

obscureregistrationcode_1_0_0 -RC7.zip

Support:

The contact us link at the bottom of this Forum or phpBB forum

Previous Versions

[Administrator]

FAQ

I can see the code, why can't bots?

• The JavaScript Encoding and additional SPAMbot Security Field make it harder for them.

It's not working

• Ensure the code in this extension and the Q&A CAPTCHA are the same and that the Q&A CAPTCHA is active

I can't see the link

• View your forum as a guest. Logged in users have no use for the code, so can not see it. If you have switched the Background Colour off, you may need to change the font colour from the default.

Do I have to use a Password Generator to create a password?

• Of course not, but that is my recommendation. Should you really want a word based answer, please avoid common nouns, colours, numbers etc. These are the defaults that SPAMbots are already programmed with. A phrase like "Elephants eat Custard" is an example of good word based answer (obviously do not use this example)

Do I have to change "ChangeMe"?

• No, but I highly recommend that you do. The more variations there are out there, the more problems BOT programmers will have. To avoid conflicts with existing code in the phpBB core, please use a random password generator such as this Secure Password Generator making sure you select LETTERS only in this instance.

I have several languages on my forum, how do I configure it?

• Set a question for each language saying the same as the suggested text (translated of course) and the answer will be the code you have set for the default language.

Will this stop Human Spammers?

• No. This code is for humans to read, so human SPAMmers can alse read it

Will this be the solution for SPAMbots forever?

• I doubt it, but keep your fingers crossed. The most likely reason that SPAMbots will be able to join your forum with this extension enabled is either a week Registration Code or your code has been programmed into the latest SPAMbots. Just change your code (In both places remember) and that should solve the problem. SPAMbot programmers are getting more clever every day, but I have several ideas should this happen.

How do I know it will work?

• It is based on my Obscure Contact Us script and I have had no automatically generated SPAM emails for years and years.

[Administrator]

1.0.0-RC3 now available

Slight code changes, new language string in ACP. The preview shows in a grey box should the Background Colour be disabled.

To Update from previous version:

• Download the latest release and unzip it.
• Disable Obscure Registration Code in the ACP
• Delete obscureregistrationcode folder from the server
• Upload the folder hifikabin to root/ext/
• Enable it in the ACP

NOTE: If you are updating from RC1 or earlier, please disable and delete data before installing this version

[Administrator]

1.0.0-RC4 now available

Additional anti-SPAMbot feature added

To Update from previous version:

• Download the latest release and unzip it.
• Disable Obscure Registration Code in the ACP
• Delete obscureregistrationcode folder from the server
• Upload the folder hifikabin to root/ext/
• Enable it in the ACP
• Go to ACP>Extensions>Obscure Registration Code and change "ChangeMe" to something unique as described in the instructions

NOTE: If you are updating from RC1 or earlier, please disable and delete data before installing this version

[Administrator]

1.0.0-RC5 now available

Second Additional anti-SPAMbot feature added

To Update from previous version:

• Download the latest release and unzip it.
• Disable Obscure Registration Code in the ACP
• Delete obscureregistrationcode folder from the server
• Upload the folder hifikabin to root/ext/
• Enable it in the ACP
• Go to ACP>Extensions>Obscure Registration Code and change "ChangeMe" to something unique as described in the instructions

NOTE: If you are updating from RC1 or earlier, please disable and delete data before installing this version

[Administrator]

1.0.0-RC6 now available

Several errors corrected

To Update from previous version:

• Download the latest release and unzip it.
• Disable Obscure Registration Code in the ACP
• Delete obscureregistrationcode folder from the server
• Upload the folder hifikabin to root/ext/
• Enable it in the ACP
• Go to ACP>Extensions>Obscure Registration Code and change "ChangeMe" to something unique as described in the instructions

NOTEs: If you are updating from RC1 or earlier, please disable and delete data before installing this version

Please read the Install Notes and FAQ before installing

[Administrator]

1.0.0-RC7 now available

Several errors corrected

To Update from previous version:

• Download the latest release and unzip it.
• Disable Obscure Registration Code in the ACP
• Delete obscureregistrationcode folder from the server
• Upload the folder hifikabin to root/ext/
• Enable it in the ACP
• Go to ACP>Extensions>Obscure Registration Code and change "ChangeMe" to something unique as described in the instructions

NOTEs: If you are updating from RC1 or earlier, please disable and delete data before installing this version
When you have installed this version, please go to the configuration page and hit 'submit'. This will set the changes I have made to the extension.

Please read the Install Notes and FAQ before installing