Does anyone have a favorite, free plug-in for WordPress that you’re using to block automated spam comments? The quantity of spam comments to my blog has been skyrocketing. Spam Karma 2 is doing a great job filtering it out, but I’d like to stop it from being posted at all. To do this I need a plugin that will require people to type a random word unreadable by computer bots. There is a word for that and I don’t know what it is (that type of authentication.) The official WordPress site offers lots of different suggestions for fighting comment spam, but I want recommendations. I probably need to add this functionality soon, the comment spam is out of control.
If you enjoyed this post and found it useful, subscribe to Wes’ free newsletter. Check out Wes’ video tutorial library, “Playing with Media.” Information about more ways to learn with Dr. Wesley Fryer are available on wesfryer.com/after.
On this day..
- iPad Apps About Rockets, Spacecraft Design, and Astronomical Engineering – 2014
- Inspired to Dream BIG @NorthwesternU – 2011
- We need more constructive and positive Storychasers in The Age of Humiliation – 2010
- Welcome to OLD School Assignment Turn In – 2010
- Abandoning Juice Receiver – At least for now – 2008
- Beyond the Fear Factor with Internet Safety – 2008
- links for 2008-05-05 – 2008
- A growing global audience – 2008
- A warning that came too late – 2008
- Do you need a Second Life?? – 2007
Comments
5 responses to “Advice to curb wordpress spam?”
The random word displayed in graphics is called a “captcha”. It’s actually an acronym.
Are you running WordPress 2.0? It has some spam fighting support right out of the box. But, my sites haven’t put it through much of a test yet. But I don’t know if 2.0 has anything that would automatically delete spam comments.
I’ve seen a couple sites with alternatives to captcha’s. One site asks you to add two random numbers and enter the sum. Some others ask you to enter a specific word. Captcha’s are what’s used at all the large volume sites, though.
These are straight from the WordPress site and a Google search for “WordPress spam tools.”
Thanks Kevin, I knew there was a word for those that I had heard but I forgot it.
Thanks Steve, I did see that page of tools also, I am using Spam Karma 2 but am just wondering if anyone is using any tools that include “captcha” functionality that they recommend. That page from WordPress does look pretty comprehensive, but I wish it had a feature where users could rate which ones they like best.
Wesley, if you want a “hands-free” low-profile spam blocker, I enthusiastically recommend Bad Behavior. Before I upgraded to WordPress 2, I had it installed alongside Spam Karma, and Spam Karma essentially took a very long break. Since my WordPress upgrade I haven’t had any need to add any new protection. The way it seemed to me then was that Bad Behavior+Spam Karma was like putting an electric fence around a yard with a guard dog in it.
Excellent Doug, thanks! A recommendation like this is just what I was looking for. I didn’t want to install a WP plugin that would conflict with Spam Karma, and I would prefer something that doesn’t make commenting more of a pain for actual human visitors! I’ve installed Bad Behavior and activated it, now I’ll wait to see if Spam Karma gets a break. THANKS! 🙂