Admin Settings
Mod has admin settings on page Admin - Features and options - Configuration - Modification settings
Yeap, I was redirected but cant see options for this mod.Specify your SMF forum version.
Where you should enter your CleanTalk access key. There are no other options.
I got the key but I have nowhere to enter it! Tried to download and install smf-antispam-1.0.zip as instructed on that page an got nowhere!
Now totally stuck. (using 2.0.7).
Should I disable all other 'security' Mods* first or... ??
1. Our mod never contains ZIP file. Cleantalk mod use tar.gz archive.
Very strange that your SMF download smf-antispam-1.0.zip file when my SMF download file "antispam_cleantalk_smf-1.01.tar.gz".
Screen in my SMF (https://www.dropbox.com/s/49iaycfuw0l6sho/cleantalk_smf_installation.png)
I removed the mod and uploaded files and attempted to reinstall... still isn't working.
Why don't you use the package from our modsite?
Why don't you use the package from our modsite?Sorry, it's our fault, the package was not compatible with SMF. The package fixed, thanks!
In the end I did... and got the same result. I'll do a total uninstall using a different machine in case there is some cache issue on this one and see how it goes.Did you try extract package to SMF_ROOT/packages?
used SMF's package manager to install 2.0.7. no options appearing in the "Miscellaneous" tab.Thanks for report!
We developed an application
In the end I did... and got the same result. I'll do a total uninstall using a different machine in case there is some cache issue on this one and see how it goes.
Hi where, it is a nice proper working feature. (SMF 2.0.7)Hi!
I'm now interested to use it not only for the registration form.
what i can do to become cleantalk protection for other forms usable for guests?
New topic / reply
contact form
thanks for help
Hi!
Cleantalk protection for new topic/post will be in the next release.
If you know PHP, SMF API you may be use https://github.com/CleanTalk/php-antispam
and not wait our release.
Hi!
Cleantalk protection for new topic/post will be in the next release.
If you know PHP, SMF API you may be use https://github.com/CleanTalk/php-antispam
and not wait our release.
Thanks a lot foryour hint, i think i would be able to integrate php-antispam without problem into my own projects but not into SMF - i have no time to explore and study the SMF API - so i willwait for your integration in next version.
What do you think, when i can figure on catching all the forum spam using clean talk?
Hi where, it is a nice proper working feature. (SMF 2.0.7)Hi all!
I'm now interested to use it not only for the registration form.
what i can do to become cleantalk protection for other forms usable for guests?
New topic / reply
contact form
thanks for help
(https://cleantalk.org/images/icons/Actions-rating-icon.png)(https://cleantalk.org/images/icons/Actions-rating-icon.png)(https://cleantalk.org/images/icons/Actions-rating-icon.png)(https://cleantalk.org/images/icons/Actions-rating-icon.png)(https://cleantalk.org/images/icons/Actions-rating-icon.png)
I Have had lots of antispam software through the years but this is the absolute least hassle and most effective method i have ever used. No spambots, No spam signups, No checking to see if a user is real, No Captcha, No nonsense.
IT JUST WORKS !
i delete the mod but i have a message: Fatal error: Call to undefined function cleantalk_print_js_input() in /home/content/html/forum/Sources/Load.php(4337) : eval()'d code on line 523Hi!
how to fix it?
after one year smoothly use, I can only express praise for this service here:
(https://www.simplemachines.org/community/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.truthsimplicitylove.com%2Fstars.jpg&hash=bbfdc5546bb5cc06ffd8900f4c1adddc)
Is the compatible with bad behaviour mod? Can I use both to double up my anti spam bot?
I am very satisfied. I would definitely recommend it. 8)
(https://cleantalk.org/images/icons/Actions-rating-icon.png) (https://cleantalk.org/images/icons/Actions-rating-icon.png) (https://cleantalk.org/images/icons/Actions-rating-icon.png) (https://cleantalk.org/images/icons/Actions-rating-icon.png) (https://cleantalk.org/images/icons/Actions-rating-icon.png)
| (https://cleantalk.org/images/icons/Actions-rating-icon.png) | (https://cleantalk.org/images/icons/Actions-rating-icon.png) | (https://cleantalk.org/images/icons/Actions-rating-icon.png) | (https://cleantalk.org/images/icons/Actions-rating-icon.png) | (https://cleantalk.org/images/icons/Actions-rating-icon.png) |
Before installing your mod, I checked the source code and noticed that you have no CSRF protection in place and do not seem to use the one provided by SMF.
E. g. sending a POST request with ct_del_user[user_id] = 1 will delete the user with the given user_id if the current session belongs to an administrator. Since no CSRF token is being checked for in function cleantalk_load(), a malicious user could trick an administrator to visit a manipulated website that might just perform aforementioned request within the administrator's browser's context and thus delete any user.
Could someone of you with valid API key for this mod confirm?
Is there a way to disable requiring administrator approval for new members on smf? I have the option set to immediate approval and registration is immediate before installing the mod. When I have this mod installed though, it forces users to wait for administration approval.No, this mod puts new members on waiting for approval. You must remove/uninstall this mod if you want your new members to have immediate approval of registration. But in the same time you will be not protected.
Link to Mod (https://custom.simplemachines.org/mods/index.php?mod=3851)
MOD Anti Spam by CleanTalk
Version: 2.12
Anti-Spam by CleanTalk mod with protection against spam bots and manual spam.
No Captcha, no questions, no counting animals, no puzzles, no math.
After the 2.15 update there's no Mod Settings zone available.https://github.com/realdigger/SMF-Cleantalk-Antispam/releases/tag/v2.15.fixed
// CleanTalk messages begin $txt['cleantalk_name'] = 'Antispam by CleanTalk'; $txt['cleantalk_settings'] = 'Antispam by CleanTalk Mod settings'; $txt['cleantalk_api_key'] = 'Access key'; $txt['cleantalk_get_access_manually'] = 'Get access key manually'; $txt['cleantalk_get_access_key_or'] = 'or'; $txt['cleantalk_get_access_automatically'] = 'Get access key automatically'; $txt['cleantalk_license_agreement'] = 'License agreement'; $txt['cleantalk_key_valid'] = 'Access key is valid'; $txt['cleantalk_key_not_valid'] = 'Access key is not valid!'; $txt['cleantalk_get_statistics'] = 'Click here to get anti-spam statistics'; $txt['cleantalk_admin_email_will_be_used'] = 'Admin e-mail (%s) will be used for registration'; $txt['cleantalk_first_post_checking'] = 'Enable antispam test for first post on board for Newly registered members'; $txt['cleantalk_api_key_description'] = 'Extension home page: http://cleantalk.org'; $txt['cleantalk_logging'] = 'Enable logging'; $txt['cleantalk_logging_postinput'] = 'All plugin\'s actions will be added to the forum\'s log. (Admin -> Error log)'; $txt['cleantalk_tell_others'] = 'Tell others about CleanTalk'; $txt['cleantalk_tell_others_postinput'] = 'Checking this box places a small link in the footer that lets others know what anti-spam tool protects your site.'; $txt['cleantalk_tell_others_footer_message'] = 'SMF spam blocked by CleanTalk'; $txt['cleantalk_sfw'] = 'Enable SpamFireWall'; $txt['cleantalk_sfw_postinput'] = 'This option allows to filter spam bots before they access website. Also reduces CPU usage on hosting server and accelerates pages load time.'; $txt['cleantalk_check_users'] = '%CLEANTALK_CHECK_USERS%'; $txt['cleantalk_check_users_button'] = 'Check users for spam'; $txt['cleantalk_check_users_button_after'] = 'Anti-spam by CleanTalk will check all users against blacklists database and show you senders that have spam activity on other websites.'; $txt['cleantalk_check_users_key_is_bad'] = 'Can not access cloud database. Access key is bad.'; $txt['cleantalk_check_users_nofound'] = 'No spam users found'; $txt['cleantalk_check_users_tbl_select'] = 'Select'; $txt['cleantalk_check_users_tbl_username_details'] = 'Details'; $txt['cleantalk_check_users_tbl_joined'] = 'Registered'; $txt['cleantalk_check_users_tbl_lastvisit'] = 'Last visit'; $txt['cleantalk_check_users_tbl_posts'] = 'Posts'; $txt['cleantalk_check_users_tbl_posts_show'] = 'Show'; $txt['cleantalk_check_users_pages'] = 'Pages'; $txt['cleantalk_check_users_done'] = 'Done. All users checked via blacklists database, see result below.'; $txt['cleantalk_check_users_tbl_delselect'] = 'Delete selected'; $txt['cleantalk_check_users_tbl_delall'] = 'Delete all'; $txt['cleantalk_check_users_tbl_delnotice'] = 'All topics and posts of selected users will be deleted, too.'; $txt['cleantalk_check_users_confirm'] = 'Delete account(s) with their posts and topics?'; $txt['cleantalk_sfw_die_notice_ip'] = 'SpamFireWall is activated for your IP '; $txt['cleantalk_sfw_die_make_sure_js_enabled'] = 'To continue working with web site, please make sure that you have enabled JavaScript.'; $txt['cleantalk_sfw_die_click_to_pass'] = 'Please click bellow to pass protection,'; $txt['cleantalk_sfw_die_you_will_be_redirected'] = 'Or you will be automatically redirected to the requested page after 3 seconds.'; $txt['cleantalk_sfw_die_no_file'] = 'Your IP looks like spammer\'s IP'; $txt['cleantalk_banner_renew_1'] = 'Please, renew your anti-spam license for %s.'; $txt['cleantalk_banner_renew_2'] = 'next year'; $txt['cleantalk_banner_trial_1'] = 'Cleantalk\'s cloud service trial period ends, please upgrade to %s!'; $txt['cleantalk_banner_trial_2'] = 'Premium version'; $txt['cleantalk_banner_bad_key_1'] = 'Enter the Access Key in %s settings to enable anti-spam protection!'; $txt['cleantalk_banner_bad_key_2'] = 'CleanTalk\'s mod'; // CleanTalk messages end
Link to Mod (https://custom.simplemachines.org/mods/index.php?mod=3851)
You will recieve your free months for that only once. There is no need to spam here any more.Link to Mod (https://custom.simplemachines.org/mods/index.php?mod=3851)
Best Anti Spam software!
5 stars
Thank you >>>>>>> 5 stars
[18-Nov-2017 14:56:02 America/New_York] PHP Fatal error: Cannot redeclare cleantalk_check_register() (previously declared in /home/blah/public_html/Sources/cleantalk/CleantalkMod.php:30) in /home/blah/public_html/Sources/cleantalk/cleantalkMod.php on line 78
[18-Nov-2017 14:56:19 America/New_York] PHP Fatal error: Cannot redeclare cleantalk_check_register() (previously declared in /home/blah/public_html/Sources/cleantalk/CleantalkMod.php:30) in /home/blah/public_html/Sources/cleantalk/cleantalkMod.php on line 78
[18-Nov-2017 14:56:40 America/New_York] PHP Fatal error: Cannot redeclare cleantalk_check_register() (previously declared in /home/blah/public_html/Sources/cleantalk/CleantalkMod.php:30) in /home/blah/public_html/Sources/cleantalk/cleantalkMod.php on line 78
[18-Nov-2017 14:56:43 America/New_York] PHP Fatal error: Cannot redeclare cleantalk_check_register() (previously declared in /home/blah/public_html/Sources/cleantalk/CleantalkMod.php:30) in /home/blah/public_html/Sources/cleantalk/cleantalkMod.php on line 78
[18-Nov-2017 14:57:21 America/New_York] PHP Fatal error: Cannot redeclare cleantalk_check_register() (previously declared in /home/blah/public_html/Sources/cleantalk/CleantalkMod.php:30) in /home/blah/public_html/Sources/cleantalk/cleantalkMod.php on line 78
All I know is I love this program and it works well within our forum. It has kept us from approving or activationg members that we do not wish to have in our midst. I thing its an especially useful and very cost conscious utility.
Ill use it from now on...
Mike
I have Anti Spam by CleanTalk v1.60 but SMF doesn't have a uninstall option so I can to update to v2.21Can read How can I install a mod that doesn't work in my SMF version? (https://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/How_can_I_install_a_mod_that_doesn%27t_work_in_my_SMF_version) to emulate the required version and uninstall. But there is the option to do it manually!
(https://imgur.com/h0TLkMk.jpg)
I can't find documentation to roll back the changes to manually remove the mod.
EDIT: never mind, I figured it out. I installed v1.94 and then uninstalled it which removed all CleanTalk mod files and then v2.21 was able to install.
Hello. I posted a thread for the very first time.
I was able to post a couple replies to it yesterday, but today I keep receiving an error message. I've tried several different times.
This is the error message I'm getting.
It says something like cleantalk***forbidden. Please
enable javascript. Email seems to be a spammer.
It has been about 2 weeks and Spam Posts are dramatically down. Before the install as stated in my last post I had to delete a dozen spammers a day that passed through the mod I was using. Over the past two weeks I had to deal with about 10 that passed through Clean Talk.
Not the miracle I was hoping for but the best so far.
It has been about 2 weeks and Spam Posts are dramatically down. Before the install as stated in my last post I had to delete a dozen spammers a day that passed through the mod I was using. Over the past two weeks I had to deal with about 10 that passed through Clean Talk.
Not the miracle I was hoping for but the best so far.
OK I should have posted this sooner but I am now about 6 months into using Cleantalk and I have nothing to do as a Forum Admin! I get no Spam whatsoever.
I guess the reason I did not post an update sooner was that it has been so dang quiet as far as spam goes I simply forgot about it until updated Cleantak to the latest version tonight.
It is doing it's job and I could not be more pleased.
I would definitely recommend to any SMF forum Admin as a cheap and sure way to relive yourself of spam problems!
*edit* The Spam I received in the nested quote was caused by accounts that were previously registered that remained dormant. These accounts I think were linked to spam accounts that were blocked due to the similarities in registration names. Hind Site 20/20 :)
I don't know why my board suddenly started having hundreds of spambots trying to register, but it did. Maybe someone human told them the answer to the question we'd been asking.Thank you!
This mod stopped them, while letting through real people with an absolute minimum of fuss. No CAPTCHAs!
Much of it would have been possible to do by hand - most of the spam registrations had user names ending in 'Incose' for some reason - but not having to do this was easily worth the $8 it costs for one site for one year with no additional services. (Plus by doing it before the week's free trial expired, three months are added to the twelve.)
I found this mod very useful. For some reasons, the board that's opened for guest's contribution was getting lots of spam submission, and I had to implement a captcha solution that became a problem to most honest users. Opting for CleanTalk did the job perfectly as there are no more bots submission and legitimate users aren't getting annoyed with difficult captchas.
Great mod, works very good!!!Thank you!
P.S.What would I do without this plug...
Does this mod add to the stylesheet? I noticed my forum's font got bigger
After disabling the mod, the font went back to normal. Hence, I concluded it's the mode cause the trouble.
Hello,
Thank you for your question.
Please use this guide to install the plugin:
https://cleantalk.org/help/install-smf
Best regards
https://www.mysite.org/forum/index.php?action=register2
2: Illegal string offset 'keys'
File: /home/mysite/public_html/forum/Sources/cleantalk/cleantalkMod.php
Line: 456
Hello.
Could you please let us know the version of your smf forum.
Thank you.
It works well and I don't have to use Captcha.Hello.
1286 // Error output
1287 if(!empty($api_result['error'])){
1288 $html.='<center>'
1289 .'<div style="border:2px solid red;color:red;font-size:16px;width:300px;padding:5px;">'
1290 .'<b>'.$error.'</b>'
1291 .'</div>'
1292 .'<br>'
1293 .'</center>';
1294 }
1286 // Error output
1287 if(!empty($api_result['error'])){
1288 $html.='<center>'
1289 .'<div style="border:2px solid red;color:red;font-size:16px;width:300px;padding:5px;">'
1290 .'<b>'.$api_result['error'].'</b>'
1291 .'</div>'
1292 .'<br>'
1293 .'</center>';
1294 }
I found another small error in version 2.27 and SMF 2.0.15. There's an uninitialized variable $error on line 1290 of file cleantalkMod.php. Here's the code:Code: [Select]1286 // Error output
1287 if(!empty($api_result['error'])){
1288 $html.='<center>'
1289 .'<div style="border:2px solid red;color:red;font-size:16px;width:300px;padding:5px;">'
1290 .'<b>'.$error.'</b>'
1291 .'</div>'
1292 .'<br>'
1293 .'</center>';
1294 }
It should probably be this:Code: [Select]1286 // Error output
1287 if(!empty($api_result['error'])){
1288 $html.='<center>'
1289 .'<div style="border:2px solid red;color:red;font-size:16px;width:300px;padding:5px;">'
1290 .'<b>'.$api_result['error'].'</b>'
1291 .'</div>'
1292 .'<br>'
1293 .'</center>';
1294 }
You should be able to reproduce the error by running "Check users for spam" from the mod settings page.
I could not stop the bots from registering on my forum, I triied everything, captcha's to the point nobody could register, also triied several types of registration packages, add-ons, whatever, had to disable the registration, UNTIL AntiSpam by Cleantalk! A big thanks to the folks at CleanTalk for this awesome software!
Every day we had a bunch of annoying spam registrations hitting our small SMF forum. Our club was trying to manage it manually but it was overwhelming our small admin group. We tried a few solutions but nothing was really working consistently. But then we found this plugin antispam solution from Cleantalk and found it worked very well. We're now subscribers. Happy to have my evenings back from manually managing all the spam.
This is one of the add ons thats a no brainer as far as I am concerned. Occasionally it may block a user accidentally but 99.99% of the time its dead on when it comes to stopping spammers trying to join your forum. This is one of the ONLY packs I pay for. I would give it more than 5 stars if I could :)
Very good plugin, since I installed this I no longer suffer from spam on my forum! :D
Really highly to recommend, for 2 cents per day, great!Thank you for your review!
I used the free version for a year. Very satisfied with it! No spamposting by spambots on my forum anymore.Thank you for your review!
I just upgraded to one year paid subscription to support this very good service.
Finally we have a really effective system against antispam and whatever else attacks our forum.Thank you for your review!
very simple installation (I am not an expert) I installed and activated in 5 minutes.
I recommend to everyone,and to impart,to people like me,who are inexperienced in this field.
fantastic to know that the antispam problem is solved forever.
~IsR~Barabba Admin Internationalsimracing.com
<!--?
/*
* Patch for filter_var()
*/
if(!function_exists('filter_var')){
define('FILTER_VALIDATE_IP', 'ip');
define('FILTER_FLAG_IPV4', 'ipv4');
define('FILTER_FLAG_IPV6', 'ipv6');
define('FILTER_VALIDATE_EMAIL', 'email');
define('FILTER_FLAG_EMAIL_UNICODE', 'unicode');
function filter_var($variable, $filter, $option = false){
if($filter == 'ip'){
if($option == 'ipv4'){
if(preg_match("/(\d{1,3}\.\d{1,3}\.\d{1,3}\.\d{1,3})/", $variable, $matches)){
$variable = $matches[1];
return $variable;
}
}
if($option == 'ipv6'){
if(preg_match("/\s*(([:.]{0,7}[0-9a-fA-F]{0,4}){1,8})\s*/", $variable, $matches)){
$variable = $matches[1];
return $variable;
}
}
}
if($filter == 'email'){
if($option == 'unicode' || $option == false){
if(preg_match("/\s*(\S*@\S*\.\S*)\s*/", $variable, $matches)){
$variable = $matches[1];
return $variable;
}
}
}
}
}
{"html" : "<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"-->
<html>
....
Any suggestions? Is this chunck of code comming from cleantalk?Hello.
I'm seeing this error after upgrading to version 2.29:Thank you for your feedback.
https://www.mysite.org/forum/index.php?action=pm;sa=send2
8: Undefined index: cleantalk_check_personal_messages
File: /var/www/mysite/web/forum/Sources/cleantalk/cleantalkMod.php
Line: 522
I do not have the "Enable antispam test for personal message" option checked.
Any suggestions? Is this chunck of code comming from cleantalk?Hello.
I've passed your question to the programmer staff.
We will reply to you in 1-2 work days.
Please, wait.
<?
/*
* Patch for filter_var()
*/
if(!function_exists('filter_var')){
define('FILTER_VALIDATE_IP', 'ip');
define('FILTER_FLAG_IPV4', 'ipv4');
define('FILTER_FLAG_IPV6', 'ipv6');
define('FILTER_VALIDATE_EMAIL', 'email');
define('FILTER_FLAG_EMAIL_UNICODE', 'unicode');
function filter_var($variable, $filter, $option = false){
if($filter == 'ip'){
if($option == 'ipv4'){
if(preg_match("/(\d{1,3}\.\d{1,3}\.\d{1,3}\.\d{1,3})/", $variable, $matches)){
$variable = $matches[1];
return $variable;
}
}
if($option == 'ipv6'){
if(preg_match("/\s*(([:.]{0,7}[0-9a-fA-F]{0,4}){1,8})\s*/", $variable, $matches)){
$variable = $matches[1];
return $variable;
}
}
}
if($filter == 'email'){
if($option == 'unicode' || $option == false){
if(preg_match("/\s*(\S*@\S*\.\S*)\s*/", $variable, $matches)){
$variable = $matches[1];
return $variable;
}
}
}
}
}
<? which should have been <?php and the missing ?> in the end.Might want to share it with the developers.Thank you for your effort.
Guess we can see theWe have fixed that and new changes will be available in the next mod release.
Code: [Select]
<?
which should have been
Code: [Select]
<?php
and the missing
Code: [Select]
?>
in the end.
Might want to share it with the developers.
I'm seeing this error after upgrading to version 2.29:Please, re-install the CleanTalk mod. Link to the archive is here:
https://www.mysite.org/forum/index.php?action=pm;sa=send2
8: Undefined index: cleantalk_check_personal_messages
File: /var/www/mysite/web/forum/Sources/cleantalk/cleantalkMod.php
Line: 522
I do not have the "Enable antispam test for personal message" option checked.
I'm seeing this error after upgrading to version 2.29:Please, re-install the CleanTalk mod. Link to the archive is here:
https://www.mysite.org/forum/index.php?action=pm;sa=send2
8: Undefined index: cleantalk_check_personal_messages
File: /var/www/mysite/web/forum/Sources/cleantalk/cleantalkMod.php
Line: 522
I do not have the "Enable antispam test for personal message" option checked.
https://github.com/CleanTalk/smf-antispam/archive/dev.zip (https://github.com/CleanTalk/smf-antispam/archive/dev.zip)
Our update guide is here is you need it:
https://cleantalk.org/help/update-smf (https://cleantalk.org/help/update-smf)
Write back if the issue persists.
Thank you.
I'm seeing this error after upgrading to version 2.29:Please, re-install the CleanTalk mod. Link to the archive is here:
https://www.mysite.org/forum/index.php?action=pm;sa=send2
8: Undefined index: cleantalk_check_personal_messages
File: /var/www/mysite/web/forum/Sources/cleantalk/cleantalkMod.php
Line: 522
I do not have the "Enable antispam test for personal message" option checked.
https://github.com/CleanTalk/smf-antispam/archive/dev.zip (https://github.com/CleanTalk/smf-antispam/archive/dev.zip)
Our update guide is here is you need it:
https://cleantalk.org/help/update-smf (https://cleantalk.org/help/update-smf)
Write back if the issue persists.
Thank you.
Fix confirmed. The dev.zip file couldn't be installed directly (I had to extract the folder it contains, pull everything in the folder up one level, and re-zip the files), but once I got that fixed the mod installed just fine and the problem is gone.
I've made clean install SMF 2.0.15 with PHP 7.3. After installing Anti-Spam 2.29 I don't see such errors. Did you try to re-install the plugin?
https://cleantalk.org/help/update-smf
I've made clean install SMF 2.0.15 with PHP 7.3. After installing Anti-Spam 2.29 I don't see such errors. Did you try to re-install the plugin?
https://cleantalk.org/help/update-smf
755c755
< if (time() - $t > $js_keys['js_keys_amount'] * 86400) {
---
> if (time() - (int) $t > $js_keys['js_keys_amount'] * 86400) {
766c766
< if (time() - $latest_key_time > $js_keys['js_key_lifetime']) {
---
> if (time() - (int) $latest_key_time > $js_keys['js_key_lifetime']) {
Here's a fix:Code: [Select]755c755
< if (time() - $t > $js_keys['js_keys_amount'] * 86400) {
---
> if (time() - (int) $t > $js_keys['js_keys_amount'] * 86400) {
766c766
< if (time() - $latest_key_time > $js_keys['js_key_lifetime']) {
---
> if (time() - (int) $latest_key_time > $js_keys['js_key_lifetime']) {
If I look at the Package Manager, there's a nice green tick next to 'Anti-spam by CleanTalk' saying it's the latest version.
Except that 2.2.4 - what I have - isn't, 2.2.9 is.
Is this a known problem with the SMF package manager or...?
No, this is the package manager working normally and a complete misunderstanding of what it does. If you have two versions of a plugin in your plugins folder, this will show you which of the two is newer. It has nothing to do with whether you have the current version vs what’s on the mod site.
I am using this mod right now and it's done a fantastic job keeping the spammers out. So far, it's got a 100% catch rate and a very low false positive rate. Even the false positives, when I explained to the affected users exactly what had happened, was completely forgiven after they took note of how our board is completely baron of spambots.