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Spam bots accessing WordPress websites onlines
It get even annoying after finding those spam bots had published numerous nude and sexual commments and blog post content in your WordPress website, a website serving people of all ages.
Spam message notifying spam bots sign up on WordPress comment section
Spam bots can create upto a million contents per minute imagine how fast will your website web storage be full, and imagine how hard could be to remove those spammy content if taken lightly.
Spam Bots assigned administrator roles to a website
Don’t worry it won’t continue! Here we offer free step-by-step guide to help you stop spam bots from accessing or publishing spammy comments or blog post content on your WordPress website.
How to stop spam bots from accessing your WordPress website?
The first half of this guide, we explained with a simple steps how you can stop spam bots from publishing comments on your WordPress website. The second half of this guide we walk you through how to stop spam bots from publishing blog post on your WordPress website. All-in-one solution. Let’s get right in!
How to stop spam bots from commenting on your default WordPress comment form section
To stop spam bots from publishing comments on your default WordPress form, login to your WordPress website dashboard, and navigate to Settings then to Discussion.
Go to the section Before a comment appears and tick the checkbox Before a comment appears Comment must be manually approved also tick Comment author must have a previously approved comment!
Move to the section Comment Moderation, set to hold a comment in the queue if it contains 2 or more links.
Save the change! That should put all comments afterwards on moderation status so you can verify and delete unwanted spammy comments and publish useful ones.
If you want no comments at all, you may disable the default WordPress comment form section, navigate to Settings>Discussion and go to the section Default post settings untick the check box “Allow people to submit comments on new post”.
Next, glide down to Other comments settings and untick the following checkboxes:
Comment author must fill out name and email
Users must be registered and logged in to comment
Show comments cookies opt-in checkbox, allowing comment author cookies to be set
Enable threaded (nested) comments 5 levels deep
Break comments into pages with 50 top level comments per page and the last page displayed by default Comments should be displayed with the older comments at the top of each page Email me whenever Email me whenever
Follow exactly as we configured WordPress form comment section here:
Disable WordPress comments section, go to Settings>Discussion, and navigate to the section -Default post settings- untick the check box -Allow people to submit comments on new post-
That’s it on how to disable comment box on WordPress to stop unwanted spam bots!
Assuming you’re not using the default WordPress comments form, but using custom forms, how can you stop spam bots from commenting on your custom forms?
Easy. Next steps, we will explain how you can prevent spam bots from comenting on WordPress custom forms!
How to stop spam bots from making comments on WordPress custom forms
To stop spam bost from commenting on your WordPress website custom forms, Install google ReCaptcha Plugin .
Google ReCaptcha v2. Plugin for contact form 7
This plugin stop all bots from accessing website through puzzle-trials, which only human logical can solve to prove they are humans.
Recaptcha activated on registration form to avert spam bots
The ReCaptcha comes in as individual plugin, as well as add-ons for custom form plugins.
Once the Recaptcha is installed, you copy and add the recaptcha tag [recaptcha] tag onto the custom form plugin, which you’ve assigned for users’ comment. This will stop spam bots from commenting on the form.
For we had installed contact form 7 form plugin, and we manually added the [recaptcha] tag onto the contact form 7 form field area. If you’re using contact form 7 make you add tag before submit tag as we did here:
Add [recaptcha] tag to WordPress contact form 7 form field before submit section to stop spam bots
You should find many WordPress custom form plugins integrated with a one-click installation of ReCaptcha add-on, so users don’t have to install ReCaptcha manually.
Save the update! That’s it. Your WordPress comment section protected by ReCaptcha.
The ReCaptcha will stop all spam bots from making comments on your website. Now you are secured from bot generated spam comments. Repeat the process with other forms in your website.
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You have learned how to stop bot spam bot comments, but how would you stop spam bot post where bots publish, edit posts and pages wthout your moderation?
Next, we will explain next.
How to stop spam bots from publishing or editing blog post or pages on your WordPress website
Did you know spam bots can assigned the role of editor and even administrator in your WordPress website?
Yes, you heard us right. Being administrator, spam bots would publish and edit website posts and pages, and even remove you from the administrator role and, that will end your claim to your WordPress site.
It once happened to us. We don’t wish the same situation for you. So, here a simple step, we guide you how to stop bots from assigned any role in your WordPress website, and to prevent spam bots from generating spammmy blog post or page content on your WordPress website.
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To stop bots from accessing any role nor create post or page on your WordPress website, login to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Settings>General then go to the section New User Default Role.
Select Subscribers on the dropped-down menu list. That way you assigned all existing spam bots to only subscribers. Those bots wouldn’t have access to any other critical role.
WordPress dashboard go to Settings_General and find the section -New User Default Role-. Select -subscribers- on the dropped-down menu list
Or you may barred all bots and humans from accessing any role in your WordPress website, by you Untick Anyone can register checkbox under the section Membership.
Next, delete all existing spam bots accounts. Navigate to Users>All users. On All userspage, mark all spam bot user accounts that were assigned in various roles.
Navigate to Users>All users- page, mark all spam bot user accounts that were assigned in various roles, and delete
Make sure you untick your administrator account(s) and that of your writers and editors. Then, hit the bulk actions dropped-down menu, select delete . Hit apply, and confirm deletion to start wipe all auto-created existing bot accounts in your WordPress site.
That’s how to stop spam bots from publishing or editing blog post or page on your WordPress website.
Questions & Answers
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What is Spammy bots and why are they even existing?
A spam bot is an automated program or software application designed to flood websites or online platforms with large quantities of unsolicited messages and publications, usually for the purpose of advertising or phishing. These bots can overload a website’s servers, slow down the website or even crash it, and make it difficult for users to navigate. In many cases, spam bots are used for malicious purposes, such as stealing personal information or spreading malware.
Spam bots exist mainly because they are an effective way for spammers and scammers to reach large numbers of people quickly and cheaply. By using bots, spammers can send lots of unsolicited content to their target audience with minimal effort and at very low cost. They can also use bots to spread malware and gain access to personal information and financial details. Unfortunately, these types of attacks can cause significant harm to individuals and organizations, which is why it’s important to take steps to protect against them.
How many are spam bots online
It is difficult to determine the exact number of spam bots available on the web as their numbers are constantly changing due to the actions taken by different security organizations. However, according to a report published by Imperva in 2020, about 24.3% of all internet traffic was from bad bots such as spam bots. This suggests that there are millions of spam bots operating online at any given time. Since then, the number may have increased or decreased depending on different factors such as technological advancements and security measures.
Are spam bots illegal?
While spambots are not in themselves illegal, their sender may be punished for using bots for illegal purposes. An example of this might be using spambots to distribute links to a phishing from a website.
The use of spam bots in suspicious activities is typically a violation of anti-spam laws, such as the CAN-SPAM Act in the United States and similar laws in other countries. Spamming activities can also violate terms of service agreements of online platforms and websites, leading to possible suspension or termination of the spammer’s account.
What are spam bots used for?
Spam bots are used for a range of nefarious purposes, including:
Spamming: Spam bots are often used to send out unsolicited bulk messages via email, social media, or instant messaging services. These messages may contain advertisements, phishing attempts, or fraudulent schemes.
Malware distribution: Some spam bots are used to distribute malware, such as viruses, ransomware, or spyware, to unsuspecting victims. The malware may be spread through malicious email attachments or links in spam messages.
Account takeover: Spam bots can also be used to take over user accounts on social media or other online platforms. Once these accounts are compromised, the attacker can use them to further spread spam or launch other attacks.
SEO and website ranking services: Some spam bots are used to artificially boost the rankings of websites in search engines. They may send out spam comments, engage in link farming, or use other tactics to manipulate search engine algorithms.
Online fraud: Spam bots may be involved in various forms of online fraud, such as phishing schemes, fake product or service promotions, and advance-fee scams.
Social media manipulation: Spam bots can be used to manipulate social media platforms by artificially boosting the number of followers or likes on a post. They may also be used to spread fake news or propaganda.
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Spam bots are used for a range of malicious activities, all of which seek to exploit or deceive unsuspecting users. It’s essential to remain vigilant and cautious when interacting with messages or links from unknown sources
How do spam bots make money?
Spam bots does not make money. The bot master (sender) makes money through spammy web users, business and organization with spam bots.
Spam bots which are automated programs designed to send out spam messages and publications, attract money to spammer through various methods. Here are a few ways spammers earn money using spam bots:
Affiliate marketing: Spam bots can promote products or services by sending out spam emails, messages, or advertisements that contain affiliate links. When recipients click on these links and make a purchase, the spam bot operator earns a commission.
Ad revenue and impressions: Some spam bots generate revenue by driving traffic to websites or generating ad impressions. They may send out spam messages containing links to websites that host advertisements. The more people who visit those websites or view the ads, the higher the potential ad revenue for the spam bot operator.
Malware distribution: Spam bots can distribute malware, such as viruses, ransomware, or spyware, through malicious attachments or links in spam emails. The malware can then be used to carry out various illicit activities, such as stealing sensitive information or extorting money from victims. In such cases, the spam bot operator may profit from the actions facilitated by the malware.
Illegal and fraudulent schemes: Some spam bots are involved in illegal activities, such as promoting scams, phishing attempts, or fraudulent services. They may send out spam messages seeking personal information, banking details, or enticing recipients to engage in illegal activities. The spam bot operator profits from the information obtained or the fraudulent transactions carried out by victims.
Illegal products or services: Some spammers may promote illegal products or services, such as counterfeit goods, prescription drugs without a prescription, or illegal downloads. They profit from the sales of these items, taking advantage of the widespread reach of spam messages.
Botnets and malware: Spammers may infect computers or devices with malware or turn them into part of a botnet. They can then use these compromised systems to send spam, launch attacks, or perform other malicious activities. They may profit by renting out these botnets or by carrying out further illicit activities, such as distributing ransomware or conducting distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
It is essential to note that spamming is illegal and unethical, and individuals engaged in such activities can face severe legal consequences. Additionally, spam causes unnecessary inconvenience, wastes resources, and poses risks to cybersecurity and personal privacy
What are some common methods used to prevent spam bots from infiltrating websites?
To prevent spam bots from infiltrating websites, there are several common methods that can be implemented:
CAPTCHA: CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart) is a widely used method that presents users with a challenge to prove they are human, such as identifying distorted letters or solving simple puzzles. This helps to differentiate humans from automated bots.
Email Verification: Another common method is to require email verification during the account sign-up process. This involves sending a verification email to the user and requiring them to click on a link or enter a verification code to confirm their email address.
Honey Pot Technique: The honey pot technique involves adding hidden fields to forms that are only visible to bots. When a bot fills in these fields, it identifies them as spam and the form submission can be rejected.
IP Blocking: Websites can block specific IP addresses or ranges known for generating spam or suspicious activities. This helps to prevent bots from accessing the website.
Rate Limiting: Implementing rate limiting can restrict the number of requests a user or IP address can make within a specific time frame. This can help prevent bots from overwhelming the website with excessive requests. User Behavior Analysis: Analyzing user behavior patterns can help identify and block suspicious activities. For example, if a user is filling out forms too quickly or submitting multiple forms within a short period of time, it may indicate bot activity.
Firewall: A web master can avert spam bots through the integration of firewall extension to a domain which will hinder spam bot access to the website
It’s important to note that no method can completely eliminate spam bots, as they are constantly evolving. Implementing multiple layers of security measures often provides the best defense against spammers. Read the 3 means big social media and forum sites drive-off web bots. Number 3 is funny.
Can you share any examples of how spam bots have been used for malicious activities?
Yes, there are several examples of how spam bots have been used for malicious activities. Here are a few:
Phishing Attacks: Spam bots are frequently used to send out phishing emails that appear to be from a legitimate source but are intended to trick the recipient into revealing sensitive information. For example, a spam bot may send an email that appears to be from a bank or a popular online service requesting the recipient to verify their account information or to click on a malicious link.
Malware Distribution: Spam bots are used to distribute malware, such as ransomware, trojans, worms, and viruses, via email, social media, or messaging platforms.
Identity Theft: Spam bots are used to collect personal and financial information from victims that can be used for identity theft, credit card fraud, and other types of financial crime.
Social Media Fraud: Spam bots are used to follow or like certain accounts, participate in online surveys, share links and push your agendas or propaganda in ways that deceive the public or amplify certain messages.
Spamming: One less malicious, but more annoying use of spam bots is to fill up email inboxes, online forums, and comment sections with unsolicited messages, links, and promotions.
READ: Do social media and forum websites allow search engine crawler bots?
These examples illustrate the potential impact of spam bots on individuals and organizations. It’s important to stay vigilant and take steps to protect against these threats
How can individuals protect themselves from falling victim to spam bot scams or phishing attempts?
There are several ways individuals can protect themselves from falling victim to spam bot scams or phishing attempts. Here are some tips:
Use strong and unique passwords – Avoid using the same password across different accounts and create strong passwords that include a combination of upper and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols.
Enable Two-factor authentication (2FA) – Enabling 2FA is an effective way to ensure that only authorized individuals can access your information or accounts.
Be wary of suspicious messages – If you receive an unsolicited message, especially from an unknown sender, do not click on any links or download any attachments. You can also hover over the link to check its authenticity before clicking.
Use anti-malware software – Install anti-malware software and keep it updated. It can detect and prevent some of the known malicious activities, spam, malware or virus.
Verify website authenticity – Before providing any personal or financial information, verify that the website is authentic and secure, checkout a pad lock sign at left side to URL, and includes https:// at the beginning of its URL.
Regularly backup data – Backing up your files regularly can help protect against data loss in the case of a successful attack, such as ransomware.
Educate Yourself – Stay informed about current security threats and phishing techniques, to help detect and avoid any such threats.
By following these steps and practicing good online Safety measures, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to spam bot scams or phishing attempts.
Are there any specific types of spam bots that people should be aware of and take extra precautions against?
Yes, there are several types of spam bots that people should be aware of and take precautions against. Here are some common types:
Email Spam Bots: These bots send out unsolicited and often malicious emails, including phishing attempts, scams, and malware attachments. To protect against them, it’s important to use spam filters, avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown senders, and regularly update your email security settings.
Comment/Forum Spam Bots: These bots target online forums, comment sections, and social media platforms to generate spammy or promotional content. To mitigate this, website owners should implement robust spam detection measures like CAPTCHAs, moderation systems, and anti-spam plugins.
Social Media Spam Bots: These bots exploit social media platforms to spread fake news, engage in fraudulent activities, and promote scams. Users should be cautious about suspicious accounts, false offers, and phishing attempts. Reporting and blocking suspicious accounts can help reduce their impact.
SEO Spam Bots: These bots aim to manipulate search engine rankings by generating spammy or malicious links across the web. Website owners should regularly monitor their site’s backlinks, employ security plugins that detect and filter such links, and follow best practices in search engine optimization.
SMS/Text Message Spam Bots: These bots send unsolicited text messages with the intention of phishing, scamming, or spreading malware. Users should be cautious and avoid responding to messages from unknown numbers or providing personal information via text.
To protect against these spam bots, it is advisable to keep software and security applications up to date, use strong and unique passwords, exercise caution when sharing personal information online, and remain vigilant for any suspicious activities or messages. Additionally, being aware of current spam and phishing techniques can help users identify and avoid falling victim to these scams
Which country sent the most spam bots
In the past, countries with a significant number of web users tend to be compromised or infected devices have been known to generate a significant amount of spam bot traffic. These countries can vary over time as they are often related to the presence of large botnets or the actions of specific cybercriminal groups. It’s important to note that geographical location alone does not determine the origin or distribution of spam bots, as they can operate from any part of the world. Addressing this issue requires international collaboration and cybersecurity efforts to combat spam and malicious activities across borders.
Differences between Spam bots and crawler bots
Spam bots and crawler bots are same bots only that the purpose for the bot tells whether a spam or merely crawler. Spam bots main purpose is phishing unauthorized web assets without the proper consent of the owner.
Crawler bots are bots that go around the web collecting content especially for search engines content optimization where the content be crawled, indexed and ranked for a search term. Though ordinary websites and Artificial Intelligence tools also sent crawlers around the web purposely for content idea generation.
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