How to stop spam attachment in new thread

[rolledb4]

I keep seeing spam ads in the space above a new thread from any and all of my registered users frequently in the last 2-5 days . I don't allow any guest posts so it shouldn't come from there although on the left of the post there is a date of "03 20 2009" and under it some jiberish sort of name that says guest under it. I've been deleting all of our sites new threads because usually something sexual is being advertised unknown to me or my moderators until it's too late! I have "RECAPTCHA" and Q&A and it doesn't seem to be registered users. It almost seems attached in the background of the input blocks of the post. Is there any way to check this?

[Steve Machol]

A link would help.

To troubleshoot this, first reupload all the original vB non-image files (except install.php). Make sure you upload these in ASCII format and overwrite the ones on the server. Also be sure to upload the admincp files to whichever directory you have set in your config.php file. Then run 'Suspect File Versions' in Diagnostics to make sure you have all the original files for your version and that none show 'File does not contain expected contents':

Admin CP -> Maintenance -> Diagnostics -> Suspect File Versions

[Note: In some cases you may also need to remove any of the listed .xml files in the includes/xml directory.]

Next, disable all plugins.

Note: To temporarily disable the plugin system, edit config.php and add this line right under <?php

define('DISABLE_HOOKS', true);

Then if you still have this problem, create a new style and choose no parent style. This will force it to use the default templates. Finally empty your browser cache, close all browser windows then try again. Make sure you change to the new style and view your forums with it.

Do you have the same problem?

[rolledb4]

unsure of the link you require or how to do it. I'm learning how to operate this board on my own with no help from the company who sold it to me in my town so be patient with me. Reborn Rides Forums (the site), The Tarp Barn (The Forum), Echo Bay mud bogs(thread) This thread is one I didn't delete so you could see what I mean.

[rolledb4]

No one else experiencing this same issue? Pretty soon I'll have to turn the board off if I can't resolve the problem. The spam shows up at the first of every new thread and I don't allow guest posting but guest shows beside their name!

[beishe8]

No one else experiencing this same issue? Pretty soon I'll have to turn the board off if I can't resolve the problem.

Did you do what Steve suggested?

You do have a modification which does it to you.
That modification was possible because one of your mods,installed by you is not safe.

[mkernel]

Steve is asking for you to post a link to your forum. You know, the URL? Hard to try to diagnose a problem without being able to see it. From what you describe it sounds like either your system has been infected with a virus or your site got hacked. But hard to know without seeing the site.

[beishe8]

You are using:

Version 3.8.0 Alpha 2

Can't you upgrade to a stable version?

[rolledb4]

Did you do what Steve suggested?

You do have a modification which does it to you.
That modification was possible because one of your mods,installed by you is not safe.

I can't do what Steve says because somehow I don't have the control/permission granted to remove any files that show up , It won't let me disable plug ins and won't let me remove the files he specified although I can see them but there is no options to remove. next ... I didn't install any mod to the system except add a "Recapcha" key which was on the site when I purchased it . Aside from that.. all is the default settings . and for the templates change he mentioned I am not allowed to change those eiher . All this permission and control would have been granted to me if I purchased my site from vbulletin themselves and not the moron at the digital webwork company I chose . The link is http://www.rebornrides.com/forums/index.php but the new threads are set to be moderated first to buy me some time and it seems to stop the bad visual part of the posts but inconveniences my current members. we only have 42 members all of which are people I know personally and there is no guest posting so where did this spam problem happen?

[rolledb4]

A link would help.

To troubleshoot this, first reupload all the original vB non-image files (except install.php). Make sure you upload these in ASCII format and overwrite the ones on the server. Also be sure to upload the admincp files to whichever directory you have set in your config.php file. Then run 'Suspect File Versions' in Diagnostics to make sure you have all the original files for your version and that none show 'File does not contain expected contents':

Admin CP -> Maintenance -> Diagnostics -> Suspect File Versions

[Note: In some cases you may also need to remove any of the listed .xml files in the includes/xml directory.]

Next, disable all plugins.

Note: To temporarily disable the plugin system, edit config.php and add this line right under <?php

define('DISABLE_HOOKS', true);

Then if you still have this problem, create a new style and choose no parent style. This will force it to use the default templates. Finally empty your browser cache, close all browser windows then try again. Make sure you change to the new style and view your forums with it.

Do you have the same problem?

I am extremely new to this. Would it be possible to post this in more basic terms so I can find what your describing more quickly and attempt to do it step by step ? It doesn't seem that I have the access priviledges to do what your stating.

[Steve Machol]

What permissions don't you have? Do you have access to upload files to the server?

[mkernel]

I'm not seeing any of these spam ads you're talking about. Can you post a screen capture?

[rolledb4]

What permissions don't you have? Do you have access to upload files to the server?

It's not working for me! No options to do anything like that. I'm sure I can tackle it if I can find where the places are you say to go. I'm not dumb or computer illiterate but coding and vbulletin admin . is all new to me.

[rolledb4]

I'm not seeing any of these spam ads you're talking about. Can you post a screen capture?

I hear ya but the content was offensive to my viewers so I had to delete it but it's not hard to recreate it. I just don't want to further any issues. The simplest way I can explain it now is this :

1- your a registered user and want start a new thread.
2- You hit the new thread field add a title and post your message in the appropriate field box and hit enter.
3- the new thread shows up with dick pills or pure porn with sick pics and shows some name such as KongoMongoS with the word guest under it and the 03, 20, 2009 date under that and says post #1 on the right top corner.
4- the thread you made goes under that like a reply post but with #2 on the top right corner like you replied to it or something.
5-You can reply to existing threads and post and everything works as normal

I temporarily stopped it by having to validate new threads first but this is ticking off my existing users.
I'm stumped so far !

[mkernel]

I think that's quite a bit more than spam. That sounds like you've been hacked.

But I'm thinking you must have access to upload/download the files from the server - otherwise, how did you get the software up and running in the first place?

According to your site's Forum Leaders, you're listed as a moderator - you wouldn't have access to the admincp other than the very basics needed to be a moderator. You should probably have your admin replying to this thread.

[Steve Machol]

It's not working for me! No options to do anything like that. I'm sure I can tackle it if I can find where the places are you say to go. I'm not dumb or computer illiterate but coding and vbulletin admin . is all new to me.

If you cannot upload files to your server then I'm afraid you don't have any way to troubleshoot of fix this. Who does have access to this hosting account?