Removing Spam From Vbulletin?

[blacknight]

I've recently taken over a vbulletin forum that wasn't being moderated properly. Does anyone know of any tools to help identify spam threads?

[paul]

There is a plugin to detect multiple accounts, that might be a good start. Then delete all posts by these multiple accounts.

[blacknight]

Originally Posted by paul

There is a plugin to detect multiple accounts, that might be a good start. Then delete all posts by these multiple accounts.

How does it work out that an account is duplicate? Is it the IP address?

[express]

As far as I know, a cookie is placed on user's computer at registration.

[blacknight]

Originally Posted by express

As far as I know, a cookie is placed on user's computer at registration.

How's that going to help?

[express]

To the best of my knowledge, it works the same way as the COPPA registrations, where if an underage person tries to re-register with another birthdate - they will not be allowed to register. A cookie that is not removed when cookies cleared is set. If user tries to register again on that computer - they will be blocked. I haven't actually used this plugin yet, but am considering it for the future.

You can block by prevent multiple registrations from same IP, but I have found that many of these are genuine registrations where two or more people are using the same computer. I check the IP of new registrations, and if there is another registration from the same IP, I monitor new posts to see if registration seems to be genuine. If not - I ban.

[conorod]

There is also a plugin to check their IP address and email address against stopforumspam.com. I can't post a live link yet but if you Google it you will find it.