Minimising Form Builder form spam (without using captcha)

[paulbaker]

Client is getting hit every so often with Form Builder form spam, perhaps a handful a day (and then nothing for a while).

A typical example is attached.

I don't want to use captcha.

There is a very old thread about this but I wondered if anyone had any good ideas on how to minimise form spam?

(When hand coding PHP forms on non-CMSMS sites (what? ) I normally just disallow any submissions that include http:// (link) text which works well as most form spam includes a link).

[Jos]

Since you only have a name, email and message field, you could try Gbook

[Wishbone]

(When hand coding PHP forms on non-CMSMS sites (what? ) I normally just disallow any submissions that include http:// (link) text which works well as most form spam includes a link).

On a similar note, create a field called URL (spam-bots just can't resist ) and use jQuery to hide it (if you set it to hidden in CSS, it might be caught... dunno) ... Reject the form if you find anything in the field.

[Wishbone]

A few more details on this technique:

http://forum.cmsmadesimple.org/viewtopi ... ct#p277766

[paulbaker]

Jos, thanks but looks like Gbook is for displaying entries on the website - not what client needs - they need a form which results in an email to them.

Wishbone, thanks for posting the link to the other thread - I used that technique to add a new URL field and I have hidden it with CSS. FormBuilder rejects any submission where that URL field has anything in it using regex. All set up and working - let's hope it reduces the spam. Thanks again.

[staartmees]

I use a field that must have an exact value. e.g. write the sum of twelve and two in characters. Only when they write fourteen the form can be send.

[paulbaker]

let's hope it reduces the spam.

It did.

For the record, I had a site generating 20 Form Builder spam messages per day. I installed this last week and haven't had even 1 spam message through. Perfect.

[velden]

For the record, I had a site generating 20 Form Builder spam messages per day. I installed this last week and haven't had even 1 spam message through. Perfect.

You did test it does send valid forms didn't you

[paulbaker]

Yes.