Problem with spam comment on protected content

[lindseyhardegree]

We just received a spam comment on one of our pages that is within the paid members protected content. I just double checked the page, and it does have the protection settings, so I’m not sure how a spammer got access to the member area and I’m wondering if there are some security settings that I’m not aware of that I need to set. Any ideas? The website is [www.ynpnatlanta.org], and the page is the YNPN Atlanta Resume Workshop Discount under our Member’s Area. Thanks!

[Peter]

Even though you’ve protected the viewing of comments, your comment submission form is not actually protected, ie, when I went to your page I could have easily submitted a comment even though I am not a member.

Do you have the “Members Must be Logged in to Comment” checkbox enabled?

[lindseyhardegree]

I do not, but if you can’t view the page, how can you comment on it? It’s not so much that I mind the comments (I can just delete them), but I want to make sure no one can view the content.

[Peter]

Spammers don’t care about your content. Bots will simply post a comment if there is an opportunity to leave a comment. Usually Akismet will pick it up and flag it as a spam.

However, if you don’t want anyone but your members to be able to post a comment then simply enable the “Members Must be Logged in to Comment” feature (the feature should be self explanatory). Most users out there like to keep the comment form open to encourage comments from non-members (thats why the option is there).

[lindseyhardegree]

So at this time, non-members can view the protected content? I’d rather not say you have to be logged in to leave a comment, but if that’s the only way to keep the protected content private then I have no choice.

[jerryc]

I don’t think that’s what he’s saying. I think that what he says is that when a bot gets to your page, even if there’s a message saying you have to be logged in to view, the bot can still post a comment if you don’t check the “Members Must be Logged in to Comment” box. It has nothing to do with viewability of your site. Try it and see what you get.

[jk28147]

is there a way to block Spammers? I get spammed in comments and all sign up as “someone….” Is there a way to block the someone part of an e-mail address? I personally do not care about their comments however they fill my free membership area and I have a hard time to find my real members.

[admin]

For comment spam, you can use plugins that prevent spam commenting. Enable the following option in emember that can also help:

Members Must be Logged in to Comment

Also, enable the captcha option on the registration form.

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