How to prevent spamming through Contact Us form

[Brian V.]

GoLightly's Forums have a page where non-registered visitors can send a message to the administrator (assuming your Forums are configured to be visible to non-registered users.) This page allows anyone on the web, even prior to signing in, to send a message to the community administrator. This is a useful form for legitimate visitor to ask the administrator a question about your community. Unfortunately spammers can find this form and send the site administrator spam.

To restrict non-registered users from emailing forum administrators through this Forums "Contact Us" page:

1. Login to VBulletin Administrator Control Panel
2. Navigate "VBulletin Options" > "Expand Setting Groups" (on the left, main window) > Under "Site Name / URL / Contact Details" choose "Contact Us Link"
3. You will see "Allow Unregistered Users to use "Contact Us". From drop down menu please select "Yes, but Verify Image".
4. Click "Save" on the bottom.

A small verification image will be added to "Contact Us" page.

This allows administrators to continue to receive potentially useful/valid messages from users seeking administrative help, but also prevents automated spam bots from filling their inbox with thousands of unwanted emails.

If an administrator wishes to disallow all non-registered users from sending *any* messages, select "No" from the drop down menu instead of "Yes, but Verify Image".