Outdated SMF & Bots

[wvanfleet]

Yes, thanks, I see that.  Okay, I'm going to have to leave this task until later tonight.  But I appreciate all the help.  If anyone has any more recommendations regarding stopping the spam and bots, I will appreciate it.  The list I was given of course has no recommendations as to the best, etc.  I have been using StopForumSpam to check out the IP addresses to make sure they were spam.  But some didn't show up and yet I knew they must be spam.  I didn't know that StopForumSpam could be used to block sign-ups.  I thought you just reported spam to them so others could check to see if an IP address was known spam.

Again, thank you all very much.

[Kays]

The way I've got that mod setup is if any IP addresses or users are in the stopforumspam database then they will be automatically rejected upon registering. It doesn't catch all, but it helps.

Don't forget to attach that file when you get a chance to.

[wvanfleet]

(Change in plans:  have a few more minutes)

I downloaded Cyberduck.  I'm trying to use it.  I'm supposed to put in the server.  What is that?

[Illori]

if you dont know your ftp details, you are best to contact your host and ask them what they are.

[Kays]

For most FTP clients, to connect to a site you need the address, Usually ftp.mysite.com rather than http://mysite.com. As well you need a username and password. These are usually the same as what you use to access your site control panel.

Just to confirm, you're not using free hosting and do have FTP access.

[wvanfleet]

I don't know how to contact my host.  I don't even really know what that means.  Who is my host?  How do I talk to that person?

Thanks!

(Now I do need to run, until about 3 1/2 hours from now.  I hope you can help me.  You have helped a lot so far.)

Whoops, your next reply just came in.  I'll try that later.  Thanks again!

[Kays]

How did you setup your forums? Are you using a free hosting or forum service. Or did you buy a site and set it up using a built in installer?

Where ever your site is setup is your host. Other than the forum Control Panel, do you have access to another control panel for your site?

[wvanfleet]

I downloaded Cyberduck.  I think I located files on the website.  But I don't know which file to choose.  None have the name of the file(?) that failed the test.  So I don't know what you want me to do.  The Cyberduck program did not look like the article described, with two panes, one for the website and one for my computer.  But maybe I just didn't get that far.  So far, I don't know what I'm doing.

[wvanfleet]

Well, I'm back now this morning.  In trying to run Cyberduck, I can't even get back to what I had yesterday.  It has been impossible for me to figure out how to use it.  I think I understand the basic idea.  The website has a bunch of files that I can download to my computer, and I can upload files to replace the ones there or add to them.  What I read about ftps is that they generally have two panes, one showing the files on the server and one showing files on my computer, and I can just drag and drop, etc.  But Cyberduck doesn't show any of this, as far as I can see.  It just shows one pane.  And I don't know how I (apparently successfully) got to the files on the website.

But, that being said, my website apparently is completely up to date.  That worked.  And whatever the problem was about smiley faces no long shows up.  So I wonder whether it is worthwhile to try to attach something to a post as you have recommended.  (I wasn't able to find a file with the name that was reported as the problem, just a folder with lots of little files in it.)  I would like to have an ftp program that I knew how to use, though, so that might make it worthwhile still.

And, all that being said also, I am now trying to find out how to stop the daily bots and spams that have destroyed the usefulness of my forum (since I have to disable registration).  What I would like is to tell someone that is signing up that they need to send me a message to show they are legit, or something like that.  I will probably see if I can use stopforumspam.  But does anyone have any opinions as to what works best?

[Illori]

there is a mod you can add to 1.1.1* with version emulation to add questions to the registration page, it is reported this is one of the best ways to stop spammers. I would also recommend you try again to get access to your files so we can make sure the one failed file has the update applied, otherwise you could possibly still have a security issue left on your forum.

[wvanfleet]

Great!!  How do I get that mod?  What is it?

I'll try to get you that file, but I described how I am at a dead end.  I can't figure out how to use Ducky.  What is the simplest ftp client, that has the two panes, etc.?

[Illori]

i am assuming you are on a mac, you can try transmission it may do what you want. and look on the mod site for Anti-Spam Verification Questions

[wvanfleet]

I just downloaded Yummy, and it shows both panes and all the files.  Now, which one should I download and attach?

What is the "mod site"?

[Illori]

mod site http://custom.simplemachines.org/mods/

requested file Sources/ManageSmileys.php

[wvanfleet]

At last!  Here is the file!

Now I have to review then posts that have just come in.

[wvanfleet]

Okay, I downloaded anti-spam verification questions to my computer.  I assume I use ftp to put it on the server.  But where should I put it?

Or maybe I should have downloaded it while in the website.  Maybe that way, they will be installed.  I don't yet know how to do this, if that is the method.  I will look at the admin section.

[Illori]

take a look at this Package Manager

[wvanfleet]

I took a brief look.  I've got something to do.  Will be back later today.  I didn't see how you can do it.  I did notice that I could only upload one file at a time from the several that came as the download to my computer from that site.  I hope that package manager will show me how to do it in one click (install).  Thanks for all the help.  I feel encouraged!

[wvanfleet]

Well, I took a look at Package Manager (the link you posted), and my despair is back.  I am new to all this terminology.  "Open with any text editor..."  What is a text editor?  My guess would be that Word would be one, but I don't know that, I'm just guessing.  And then there are other instructions using terms that are not defined.

Isn't there some way of installing a "mod" (I assume that means "modification," but I don't know, well I guess I should Google it) that is simple and doesn't involve learning programming language?

I just looked "mod" up and now I think it stands for "module."

Incidentally, is the "package" in "Package Manager" any file or set of files that are added to the files on the server?

[JimM]

Any update on this?  Were you able to upgrade your forum to the the most current version?  If that was accomplished, consider marking this topic solved.