[glassreef]

Sorry, gonna have to show my ignorance with a question. The script sent me an email with the following text:

A new user, with the IP Address 212.235.xxx.xxx, has been banned for the following reason: Trap value

Can someone explain to me what Trap Value means?

Thanks,

Tom

[Static]

There are two hidden fields in the comments form. One of them (called phone) is simply hidden through css, and most spambots don't catch the css style. After they enter a phone number and try to submit something, they get banned for the above reason. I have more than 300 bans (and only 6 comments) because of this. The other field has the type "hidden", and also serves a similar reason. I personally think that it is less effective than the hidden field, but they both work together to catch those spambots. This will most likely be the most common ban that people will have, because spambots are quite blind, not to mention annoying.

[glassreef]

Thanks for the explanation! Much appreciated.

Tom

[glassreef]

Further on this subject.

Today I received an email (via the contact button on my site) from a visitor that advised they were just banned from entering comment and wanted to know why.

I also received the email advising that a "Trap Ban" had occurred.

My question is, since there is no question that the visitor was a valid user, any idea what could have caused the ban to occur?

Thanks!!

[Static]

Check if any other types of bans had occurred. The only way the user would have gotten a trap value ban would be by using a text browser like lynx or w3m. Check if it might have been an issue over a setting that bans a user (for example entering a banned website). I can't think of anything else at the moment.

[glassreef]

Thanks for the quick reply! All of the bans that have occurred, so far, are "Trap Value" bans.

Maybe noting the value and including it in the notification email would help? Any (easy) way to do that?

[Static]

Well, the only thing that could have happened is that the 'fax' or 'phone' fields were entered. Perhaps the user used a shortcut to automatically enter all fields? If the user uses IE, perhaps entering fields automatically doesn't check for css hidden fields? I don't use IE though, so I can't tell for sure.

[glassreef]

Maybe a form filling app like RoboForm could be the problem?

[Static]

Perhaps, but only if the user you referred to is using it.

[Steven]

If I had to guess then I would also say that he's using some type of automatic form filler. He may have configured it so that it automatically enters his phone or fax number. I would be interested in finding out what browser (or browser add-on) it is.