Simple Machines Community Forum

SMF Support => SMF 2.0.x Support => Topic started by: PANIC12 on January 17, 2020, 02:13:03 AM

Title: Captcha settings not showing
Post by: PANIC12 on January 17, 2020, 02:13:03 AM
My captcha settings are not showing in my ACP, but the captcha shows on my registration page. Screenshots are shown below.

Any reason why? How can I fix it? I didn't do any recent changes, but I only noticed this now. If a mod caused it, I'm not sure which one.


1st picture is my ACP settings. The 2nd one is the captcha showing on my registration.
Title: Re: Captcha settings not showing
Post by: Shambles on January 17, 2020, 02:30:12 AM
The Captcha sample doesn't show in that page - pretty sure it's in the Anti Spam settings under Security and Moderation.
Title: Re: Captcha settings not showing
Post by: m4z on January 17, 2020, 02:35:10 AM
Admin → Configuration → Security and Moderation → Anti-Spam
Title: Re: Captcha settings not showing
Post by: Kindred on January 17, 2020, 03:06:09 AM
however, be aware - captcha is basically useless at this point.
Title: Re: Captcha settings not showing
Post by: PANIC12 on February 02, 2020, 09:54:32 PM
Quote from: Shambles on January 17, 2020, 02:30:12 AM
The Captcha sample doesn't show in that page - pretty sure it's in the Anti Spam settings under Security and Moderation.

ah, silly me. Thank you!


Quote from: Kindred on January 17, 2020, 03:06:09 AM
however, be aware - captcha is basically useless at this point.

Is there a better way to prevent spam accounts from registering?
Title: Re: Captcha settings not showing
Post by: efk on February 03, 2020, 02:15:04 AM
Don't waste your time with captcha. Also in Security and Moderation uncheck Visual verification image to display.

Quote from: GooberManNick on February 02, 2020, 09:54:32 PM
Is there a better way to prevent spam accounts from registering?

Yes and probably you don't even need mods for that, or install this Misc Anti Spam. You can do a lot with post based membergroups and through Security and Moderation.
* Admin/Members/Registration/Settings/Immediate registration

* Admin/Security and Moderation
-  Require verification on registration page - ON
-  Post count under which users must pass verification to make a post - Depends on your situation, if your only problems are spambots, set it to for example 2, no need for more than 5, but if you have problems with real humans, you can set it be over 10, but its better to stick to lower number and make predefined post based membergroups, so with more posts more access
- Post count under which users must pass verification when sending personal messages - do the same like for making first posts like explained above. Also ensure that you have alternative for new users to contact you in case if something goes wrong, for example facebook page, or discord server or anything where user can get in touch if something unexpected is going on

- Number of verification questions user must answer - 2

Verification Questions:
enter numbers only:
sdf$@5HD3a6(p2|/7
answer - 53627

enter symbols only (remove letters and numbers):  - so everything that is not a letter nor number
d3%Ab5*06#oO@p53pa&m2
answer - %*#@&

There are more combinations, but don't let it be over-complicated so real users can register. Add more than 5 questions and modify questions in 2-4 months. There will happen sometimes that some bot will be on

Misc Anti spam https://custom.simplemachines.org/mods/index.php?mod=3685

Also read this https://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/Spam_-_my_forum_is_flooded_with_spam,_what_can_I_do ,  but this works on my forums, I explained almost all details what will work for you.

About post based membergroups, with 0 posts is for just registered members. You can then set membergroup with 2 posts which can have 2 functions, standard limited access for new members and quarantine for problematic individuals where you want to check posts before approving, which literally means that only forum crew can see posts before approving, and its painful for problematic individual to go for each post under post moderation and to have each time to answer 2 security questions. And note, moving back member to 0 posts means he will have to go through email confirmation which is not good to do and member might be lost. You can also install this mod - Post Unapproval  https://custom.simplemachines.org/mods/index.php?mod=1128 , it gives you an option to hide from public and to make topic public anytime you want, very useful. And last thing, Profile fields, I think there could be set as required questions or similar while creating account, so it might be one more tool to make registration more complicated, but can't confirm this atm.

Also there are mods like Anti-Spam Links , Prevent Adding Signature Images And Links   
Title: Re: Captcha settings not showing
Post by: PANIC12 on February 05, 2020, 10:39:51 PM
Thank you efk. I'll give it a shot.
Title: Re: Captcha settings not showing
Post by: PANIC12 on February 09, 2020, 12:32:05 PM
This mod also seems to help with the spam bots: https://custom.simplemachines.org/mods/index.php?mod=368