Have we beaten spamming with Captcha?

Discussion in 'Directories' started by cantufind, Dec 27, 2006.

  1. #1
    Having used various scripts for a long time I was witness to the growing level of spammed submissions, for my own reason I decided to commission my own directory script with an emphasis on learning from other directory scripts mistakes. One of these was the dreaded captcha, which as most submitters know are a royal pain at the best of times. Catch 22, you tone the level of obfuscation down in the captcha and the bots figure it out and hit you for six!

    The answer? Well I think I have it in my new script phpLynx I've implimented a text/graphic capture that allows you to control everything from the ACP. Take a look at the examples below and tell me if you think the bots will get around these?

    [​IMG]

    You might say that the odds are 4/1 of the bot guessing the answer but remember, you don't have to put in multiple choice, you can put anything you want to stack up the odds against the bots. But I went one further, I decided to use image captcha as well, this again can be uploaded to the users needs. Look below.

    [​IMG]

    Now its a whole lot harder, for how many fruits are there? The scope here is limitless and I wouldn't mind betting it is going to take an awful long time for the bots to work their way around this on.
     
    cantufind, Dec 27, 2006 IP
  2. Kalyse

    Kalyse Peon

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    #2
    Yeah its good, but I personally dont like CAPTCHA.
     
    Kalyse, Dec 27, 2006 IP
  3. ! Ask !

    ! Ask ! Peon

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    #3
    I think your captha is original, but probably non English speaking submitters will have problems.
     
    ! Ask !, Dec 27, 2006 IP
  4. britishguy

    britishguy Prominent Member

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    #4
    Spamming is a nightmare problem and all scripts are welcome but a lot depends on how practical and viable for users the scripts are:)

    Will the bots get round the script

    Lets wait and see on that!
     
    britishguy, Dec 27, 2006 IP
  5. ! Ask !

    ! Ask ! Peon

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    #5
    My solution is pay first then submit, at least you have paid SPAM :D

    "cantufind" think about implementing this option at your script.
     
    ! Ask !, Dec 27, 2006 IP
  6. malcolm1

    malcolm1 Prominent Member

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    #6
    Much like ASK siad if you were to pay first before would hamper alot of bullshit like the spammers and those that try to sneak sites in.

    Now phpld has a registration process that i never implemented as i think this is just a way of slowing down link Sells but it would deffinatly make a spammer have to register then add his sites which would cost him time and energy..so i think it would stop it cold, but is it worth the losing link sells due to and asshole spammer?

    thx
    malcolm
     
    malcolm1, Dec 27, 2006 IP
  7. cantufind

    cantufind Banned

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    #7
    We're working on translations as we speak, but I make a point of NEVER making false claims on how many languages we run the script in. When a full script in any given language is complete only then will we publish it. But to be honest, you can type in any language you like in this through the ACP. Just like I did below. :)

    [​IMG]
     
    cantufind, Dec 27, 2006 IP
  8. Obelia

    Obelia Notable Member

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    #8
    I'd guess, not for a while. But we will really have to wait and see, to know for sure. I'm fairly sure that bots will have to be pretty sophisticated to be able to answer random trivia questions, and the payoff for creating something like that just isn't worth the effort, when it comes to directory spamming.
     
    Obelia, Dec 27, 2006 IP
  9. cantufind

    cantufind Banned

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    #9
    :D Nice one, and yes of course we have that option, the ACP is fully configurable to make all links payable before or during etc.
     
    cantufind, Dec 27, 2006 IP
  10. Freewebspace

    Freewebspace Notable Member

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    #10
    Good work done by you for your script It think we should outsmart these spammers and bots by thinking some innovative solutions for them but loading a picture for each time would need more bandwidth
     
    Freewebspace, Dec 27, 2006 IP
  11. cantufind

    cantufind Banned

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    #11
    I made uploaded the pic that size to show a point, you can make the picture far lighter on load, Im sure you'd agree though we'd rather have bandwidth usage as a result of us the owner not the spammer. Doesn't have to be a picture though it can be one of those impossible questions like does England ever have a chance of winning cricket against Australia? :D
     
    cantufind, Dec 28, 2006 IP
  12. Seiya

    Seiya Peon

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    #12
    If your directory is english and the user doesnt know how to spell apple, he probably should not be submitting in the first place.

    BTW this thread is just another form of what i have been saying over and over.... make your own captcha, as simple as it may be it is better than all the standard ones.
     
    Seiya, Dec 28, 2006 IP
  13. cantufind

    cantufind Banned

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    #13
    The answer was in Spanish as well :D But I do agree!

    I think we all are now, and often it is the simplest of ideas that are the best.
     
    cantufind, Dec 28, 2006 IP
  14. sarahk

    sarahk iTamer Staff

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    #14
    sarahk, Jan 15, 2007 IP
    Obelia likes this.
  15. nicecoder

    nicecoder Peon

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    #15
    I believe captcha still do well againts spammer. Also I do agree require user registration will reduce spammer, but it may bothering some people because the step to submit url is too many.

    Using paid listing the best idea. But always use term that the webmaster have the rights to make change or remove listing.
     
    nicecoder, Jan 15, 2007 IP
  16. lkj

    lkj Peon

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    #16
    well I am always too lazy to register to apply for login, but the "apple" thing is a cool feature ;)
     
    lkj, Jan 16, 2007 IP
  17. agnivo007

    agnivo007 Peon

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    #17
    Zero spam after upgrading to phpld 3.1
     
    agnivo007, Jan 17, 2007 IP
  18. Freewebspace

    Freewebspace Notable Member

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    #18
    I think we can certainly beat spam bots which automatically fill up pages

    These are the steps

    Create these pages

    submit.html,submit1.html, submit2.php(anyname)

    any name you can use

    First create a framed page for submit.html and have a submit button on it

    when you click on the submit button it should go to submit2.html

    where the framed page will show real submit.php

    This is the trick I think by this we can beat any kind of spam bots
     
    Freewebspace, Jan 17, 2007 IP
  19. georgechristodoulou

    georgechristodoulou Active Member

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    #19
    Captcha has helped minimize automated registrations but like with every technology, its only a matter of time, then an antidote is found.
     
    georgechristodoulou, Jan 17, 2007 IP
  20. cantufind

    cantufind Banned

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    #20

    Are you seriously saying that people buy a script only to have to make these pages? Also, not many people have the knowledge how to do what you suggest?

    @ georgechristodoulou; the day computers can make and program a human we won't have to worry about scripts or captcha :eek: , as technology advances one way, it will the other, it will always be cat and mouse, I'd like to think my captcha method combined with a few other tricks built into phpLynx should give the mouse a good head start. :)
     
    cantufind, Jan 21, 2007 IP