Spamming through Forms

italicus · 22nd March 2005, 06:38 AM

Hey guys,

I have a friend who runs a language site. He uses a form for collecting submissions of new words. Unfortunately some people use the form for sending him spam, so in order to discourage (and prevent involuntary double postings) now he has submitters type in a keyword /code shown on the bottom of the screen. While this system has reduced the problem, he says visually impaired people are having a hard time submitting entries!! What would you do if faced with a similar problem?

Thanks in advance;-)

**Mr. Tech** · 22nd March 2005, 08:59 AM

Wow... that sucks...

Well if it were me in this situation I would consider two options. Not sure if they would help but who knows.

1. I would try http://www.spamarrest.com/. When someone sends you an email, they are sent back an email back asking them to confirm that they sent the email to you in the firstplace. When they click the link it asks them to type the word. However I think they give the option to listen to the letters if you cant read them.

2. Setup your own confirmation script. It sends them an email asking that they confirm the submission and if they click the link the email will be sent.

Unfortunately they are spamming him through a form which means that they are specifically spamming him, not just sending to a massive list.

Another thought is, if his/her website has a member login section, possibly he/she can set it so they can only contact him/her via that form if they signup? Just a thought...

Hope that helps

**Peter Sinclair** · 23rd March 2005, 06:19 PM

They must really want your friend to see that spam... Who else would waste their time?

italicus · 24th March 2005, 09:58 AM

Thanks for the info, I'll pass it on! No, sending spam is easier than it seems because no login is required. When you describe a neologism, for eg., you are asked to explain the etymology, include the source, give a definition, quote an example, and maybe if he has people register, the submissions may get fewer?

Italicus

**Mr. Tech** · 24th March 2005, 12:09 PM

Unless they are really desperate and register themselves... This guys must be desperate. Hopefully he can stop it.. Is the guy sending from the same email all the time?

italicus · 30th March 2005, 08:28 AM

I don't think it's the same guy, maybe it's random. I process some of the submissions. They are fake submissions with silly words and the etymology may contain a link to an ISP for eg. Perhaps he might disable the copy + paste function?

**Mr. Tech** · 30th March 2005, 09:48 AM

Yes, that might help.

Ben · 31st March 2005, 10:12 AM

That is really weird... Hopefully you can sort it out.