[AdrianH]

Hi Jason, having re-read that post http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showp...&postcount=122 I have edited the style templates and can confirm that this is working perfectly in v3.7.

I now have 8 images and the phrases are displayed correctly.

Good luck with the next version!

[steadicamop]

Glad you got it going ... currently testing out on 3.7, I see it's working fine, now going to work on adding AdminCP options for number of images .... image directory - I can't think of any other items I could add ... suggestions welcomed!

[Artes_Marciales]

Great mod!
Thanks : )

[RCK]

Originally Posted by steadicamop

Suggestions welcomed!

I have one idea, most of user will use the default images you provide, and the only failure of this script is that image final size won't change. I can imagine bot will easily know "default" picture size, and click on the good one depending of the question !
One easy fix for this would be to randomly change the jpg output quality in GD from 70 to 100%, this way, each page reload would really display 'new pictures' to spam bots

anyway, it's a very cool mod, I can't wait 3.7 official version

[tehblob]

thanks a lot :P

[steadicamop]

Originally Posted by RCK

I have one idea, most of user will use the default images you provide, and the only failure of this script is that image final size won't change. I can imagine bot will easily know "default" picture size, and click on the good one depending of the question !
One easy fix for this would be to randomly change the jpg output quality in GD from 70 to 100%, this way, each page reload would really display 'new pictures' to spam bots

anyway, it's a very cool mod, I can't wait 3.7 official version

Your suggestion has been noted, I have another idea with this, to make different size images, that was that could also fool the bots ... just want to give as many possibilities as I can.

I'm away for a week now but will get the latest version going as soon as I can ... should also be backwards compatible I hope!

[DiverTree]

Originally Posted by steadicamop

Sorry for the lack of support and input -- have been busy elsewhere and have let this slip.

I've noticed a few things - could anyone confirm if this is now a standard part of VBulletin 3.7.0? Just curious as no one has mentioned it to me....

Also if not and people are installing on 3.7 and if this works ok or not, I have seen a few which do and some which don't ... if there are any common issues on that I will do my best to resolve, although I'm still on 3.6.2!

Originally Posted by steadicamop

No errors whatsoever on 3.7? I might just go ahead and re-release it for 3.7 until I can upgrade myself and add new options.

working fine on 3.7.0 for me ... somebody said it was stock in 3.7 series but no one has yet found it. seems to be working like a charm. like with my 3.6.8 board, it stopped the bots dead in their tracks and users have sucsefully registered without issue.

[NeitherSparky]

Yes this seems to be working on 3.7 for me, of course I have only been using it a day. I did use my own images as I have a themed board...it isn't necessary to match the exact same number of images used by default is it? I could use more or fewer couldn't I?

I look forward to the updated version.

[ngx]

Hi Steadi. I just installed this about 30ish hours ago, and so far 5 bots have signed up. I either have some very persistent bots who just keep clicking until they strike it lucky, or they have found a way around it. *sigh*

Thanks anyway.

[RCK]

Originally Posted by ngx

Hi Steadi. I just installed this about 30ish hours ago, and so far 5 bots have signed up. I either have some very persistent bots who just keep clicking until they strike it lucky, or they have found a way around it. *sigh*

Thanks anyway.

Have you extended the number of picture to 8 ?

[steadicamop]

Rightho ... version 2 is out now - get it here - http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=181818

Updated with AdminCP options and new images, should work better, but at beta status as there are a few changes which need fully checking.

Jason

[Christophe_O]

P.P.S. Sorry STEADICAMOP I did not notice your above message: this is an obsolete thread! New version:
Enhanced Image Captcha 2.2b

I came here following a reference by Indie2Industry in the Vbulletin.com thread: Spam bots defeat Recaptcha.

I like this hack!

• So simple, no messing with IP databases, etc.
• I believe much new spam is from 'spamborgs' not bots: humans who do not speak English, acting like trained monkeys. People who speak English generally command a higher salary and their time is too costly for this petty spam. That is why I believe this program will be effective.
• Allows each forum to use different images, thus more difficult to program a robot or train a human to answer correctly at numerous forums.
• Much better for the legitimate visitor than ramping up the obscurity of character recognition.

I am not ready to use this hack yet (my forum just started) but voted anyway as MOTM. I am posting this reply to add a few tips and suggestions, based on my testing today at Steadiforum.com (3.6.2) and TheBlueRoomForum.org (3.7.1).

• Test the 'back' button after clicking the wrong image with Firefox (20% traffic) as well as Explorer (about 80%). Test both the back button on the browser and clicking the word 'back' on the error page. (Some bugs here. Maybe the hack needs automatically to 'refresh'.)
• With Explorer 7 and high speed cable, some of the images at Steadiforum.com did not readily download to my browser. I suggest that all the images files be kept strictly below 4k.
• There are some people from every country who speak English well enough to be good forum members. But may not know Homer Simpson. I suggest keeping the labels generic such as "bald man".
• I don't know if blind people using 'aural readers' can navitate Vbulletin. But if so, they should be directed to a contact form for sign-up.
• I suggest that maybe the directional words such as 'bald man' also be converted to an image? That way, illiterates can not compensate by using translation software. Also 3 directional variations for each image. Example: bald man, hairless person, cartoon man.

P.S. I think this program works well partly because it is not commonly used. This program seems to be especially effective against the current wave of semi-human robots who have trouble reading English.

However, if more widely used, then perhaps added complications may be needed. The choices are limited to about 15, and we must allow 3 tries to be human-friendly. Thus, robots can get through 1/5 the time by guessing. When guessing wrong, they cycle through all other forums, returning the next day until they finally will get through. Maybe this could be overcome by shutting down any IP which sends a guesser three times in three days.

Another option would be to create 2-3 multiple-choice options instead of just one. I.e., the verification page might consist of 2 or 3 challenges to choose the correct image from a row of 7-10 images. The visitor could be asked to check a box beside the correct image, 2-3 times. Still simple for humans, and only requiring a download of 14-21 images, but offering 49-343 possible answers.

P.P.S. Sorry STEADICAMOP I did not notice your above message: this is an obsolete thread! New version:
Enhanced Image Captcha 2.2b

[shawn911]

How do i translate this in French ?
I was looking for a language file.
But there is nothing.
Do i need to go to the Admin CP to translate it ?
If yes, how and what variables to translate ?

Thanks in advance.

[Paul M]

Moved to 3.8 section.

[RedDevil]

installed, nice