Community Events Spam Part Deux: Super Annoyed.

[Bmore Events]

I’ve downloaded Really Simple Captcha and also have the following code:

https://github.com/caseypatrickdriscoll/patched_up_community_events_captcha/blob/master/patched-up-community-events-captcha.php

You have labeled this as a plugin in a previous post, but it’s code…not a plugin. I need a plugin. I am but a simple caveman. I need simple tools. I’m busy working on a new version of the wheel (and fire 2.0) and have no time to bother with such craziness. Please, entertain my pea brained mind and provide the step by step directions!

[yvrmark]

Adam, I had the same problem but found these really helpful instructions. I tried it this morning and it worked, but only once. The CAPTHA image refuses to display when you try to load it a second time. I tried multiple browsers in case it was a cache issue but it wouldn’t show the CAPTCHA image. I think it might have something to do with using W3 Total Cache but I have successfully used Really Simple Captcha with Contact Form 7 so I’m at a loss.

Here’s the process I used (we already had Really Simple Captcha installed in tandem with Contact Form 7):

1. Backed the site up.
2. Using cPanel (or FTP) Created a new folder in the /wp-contents/plugins folder and named it patched-up-community-events-captcha
3. copied the code Casey provided and pasted into Notepad and saved file as patched-up-community-events-captcha.php
4. uploaded the patched-up-community-events-captcha.php file into the newly created patched-up-community-events-captcha folder
5. Activated plugin from the wp-admin control panel>> installed plugins
6. tested

[yvrmark]

BTW, this spam is getting VERY VERY annoying. Dozens a day that I have to go in and delete. I can’t be the only one (obviously). A permanent working solution cannot come soon enough.

[Josh]

Hello adamvanbavel,

Thanks for reaching out to us!

I apologize for the issues you’re having with spam on your site. The issue is something we’re aware of and are working to have a built-in solution for in an upcoming release.

In the meantime, the code that you link to above is a plugin on it’s own and the approach yvrmark lays out above should work perfectly with the addition of the Really Simple Captcha plugin.

yvermark,

Thanks for providing the information in the previous post! It sounds like the issue you’re having may be a caching issue. Does the issue persist if you completely clear the cache and then disable caching for the “community/add” page?

Thanks!

[yvrmark]

Hi Josh
I see that W3 Total Cache uses the “Rejected files” for Contact Form 7 to ensure it doesn’t cache the captacha image:

{uploads_dir}/wpcf7_captcha/*

Should the same not be used for captcha image on the add event page rather than not caching the page itself?

[Bmore Events]

I’m serous about the caveman thing. 100+ spam postings daily. About to break out my club and go unga-bunga on some spammers! I can’t find a “plugin” from the link, only code. I also use W3. It takes me 20-30 minutes on avg. to delete all this spam.

[Josh]

Hello adamvanbavel,

I apologize for the confusion as well as the frustration of having so many spam comments. Barring any unforeseen issues, a built-in solution will be available in the next update to the plugin.

In the meantime, I’ve created a zip file of the plugin available from the Github link so you can upload it directly to your site. This in conjunction with the Really Simple Captcha plugin will allow for a captcha to be added to your Community Events submission form.

Thanks!

[Bmore Events]

Josh…I think all is good and I can’t thank you enough for the quick response! I’ve applied and tested and all seems to be in working order. I’m going to give it a day or two, but don’t see why anything would change. I truly appreciate it and hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

[yvrmark]

I’d still like an answer to my query though as I am having problems with the captcha being cached 🙂 Here is my question:

Hi Josh
I see that W3 Total Cache uses the “Rejected files” for Contact Form 7 to ensure it doesn’t cache the captacha image:
{uploads_dir}/wpcf7_captcha/*
Should the same not be used for captcha image on the add event page rather than not caching the page itself?

[Andy Fragen]

Have you tried the WordPress Zero Spam plugin. It’s in the wp.org repo.

[Josh]

Hello yvrmark,

Sorry that I missed your previous comment. To be honest, I’m not fully familiar with the way W3 Total Cache interacts with the captcha when used by Contact Forms 7. Based on the exception provided within the W3 config file, there may be something that could be changed to ensure that this isn’t affected by caching. However, that would definitely be beyond the scope of support here considering the next update of the plugin, barring any unforeseen issues in the Quality Control process, will include a built-in option to fix the spam issue.

Also,the plugin Andy mentioned above looks pretty solid. It may be a good alternative to use until the next release. Thanks for that suggestion Andy!

Thanks!

[Support Droid]

This topic has not been active for quite some time and will now be closed.

If you still need assistance please simply open a new topic (linking to this one if necessary)
and one of the team will be only too happy to help.

[Author]

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