Spam Accounts

[Guest]

I have a website that is constantly getting spam customer accounts created from various foreign countries.

I don't understand the reasoning in why they do this, but I have been manually removing them each day.

Is there a way to block this, or a mod to verify the IP address with the country selected?

[Zzyzx1234]

Hi,

The easiest way we found to stop it was to install some type of CAPTCHA system. What version for OSC are you using?

[mhsuffolk]

I use @burt Maths Captcha add on which stops all of them.

Join the Phoenix Club at the top of the listing page and take advantage of the vast number of addons available.

[♥ecartz]

41 minutes ago, lyonsperf said:

I don't understand the reasoning in why they do this

Three things: 

1.  They may be using this to send spam email.  If the email address is for someone else but the personalized information is for "product/link they want to spam", they can use your email system to send their spam. 

2.  They may want you to read the messages.  I.e. they are spamming you. 

3.  They may simply be paid to do this.  Even if ineffective, they still get paid. 

There are several Captcha mods, including two from Burt for Phoenix. 

Apache includes the ability to block IP ranges.  I think there may be mods that help you configure Apache. 

[Jack_mcs]

57 minutes ago, lyonsperf said:

Is there a way to block this

The Honey Pot addon will stop them. It also has a tool in admin to clear out fake accounts.