I have recently created a new forum using the MyBB platform. I have installed a plugin called 'Social Sites' that allows members to add a link to their facebook, twitter linked.in etc. I am getting quite a high number of users register, add their linked.in profile, then never return to the site. Are the doing this for backlinks or am I missing something? Any help would be appreciated. John
What security plugin(s) are you running on the registration page? If you are just using the Captcha plugin, I suggest changing to reCaptcha and also adding the Security Question plugin created by -G33K-. Once I installed both of those (they work excellent together), bot/spam users who registered and did exactly what you said cut down 100% and it was almost like they were non-existant. Also, with reCaptcha and the Security Question plugin installed, you don't need members to activate their accounts. Both plugins are available in the MyBB Mods database. Regards.
reCAPTCHA is broken, bots can easily get through that. I wouldn't even bother with that modification. Any sort of Q&A modification is going to be your best bet. Just make the questions related to your forum's niche and make them a bit difficult. I mean members who are joining your niche should know the answers right? Or at least be able to Google them. Bot are not going to do that usually. Stop Forum Spam modifications are also a good choice, you would freak out to see how many spammers that system blocks
I've found stopforumspam, akismet and registration security question to be a pretty awesome combination. Here's a screenshot of my SFS logfile: Like Kruzzen said, the amount of spammers it stops dead is insane!