WordPress spammers seek out websites that enable them to register, publish comments, or join the community in advance of a more damaging attack. Because spammers are unskilled programmers and the crude bots that are employed to scan the web for forms to fill out are not sophisticated, the filling out of web forms is all automated. They will fill up forms by entering information such as a name, an email address, and more in the appropriate fields.
For instance, automated bots could access the contact page and fill out the form with the necessary data and spam messages that primarily contain links. Although the quality of these spam messages can be enticing and attention-grabbing, you shouldn’t be drawn in by them because the majority of them are also automatically generated by bots.
The world has advanced to the point where AI can now not only generate messages but also automatically create backlinks to promote websites. Some people pay for these services, and because the advertisement’s intended target is frequently random, you may receive spam messages unintentionally.
It may be difficult for a new webmaster to handle these spam messages because automated bots have advanced in the IT industry, and it becomes worse even for websites without third-party dns servers for web security. Cloudflare has put a lot of money into web security since its inception, including brute force and it will be good for you to consider starting using their server.
The Contact Page is the area that the majority of spammers target because they know their messages will be read. When your website is expanding quickly, spam messages will get more bothersome and increase. Use the cloudflare dns as a proxy server to prevent these bots from communicating with your website.
In cloudflare go to:
- Page Rules
- Click on Add new Page rule.
- Add the link for your contact page for example: yoursite.com/contact/
- Below select the rule for security level
- On security level choose I’m under attack, and hit save!
There are also other several effective strategies you can implement to mitigate contact page spam in WordPress.
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Utilize CAPTCHA or reCAPTCHA: Integrate CAPTCHA or reCAPTCHA (a more advanced version) into your contact form. These tools require users to complete a challenge, such as identifying distorted text or selecting specific images, to prove they are human. By adding this extra step, you can deter automated spam bots from submitting form entries.
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Implement a HoneyPot: A HoneyPot is a hidden field added to the form that only bots can see. Since humans won't fill out this field, any submission that includes data in the HoneyPot field is likely generated by a bot. You can then configure your form to reject submissions that include information in this field, effectively filtering out spam.
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Use Akismet: Akismet is a powerful anti-spam plugin for WordPress that automatically detects and filters out spam comments and form submissions. It analyzes submissions against its vast database of known spam patterns and flags suspicious entries, keeping your contact page clean. Make sure to activate Akismet and configure it properly to benefit from its protection.
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Employ a Form Validation Plugin: Install a form validation plugin that offers advanced validation features. These plugins can verify the integrity of form submissions, ensuring that they contain legitimate data. By setting rules for required fields, email formats, and other criteria, you can block many spam submissions before they reach your inbox.
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Enable Email Address Verification: Require users to verify their email addresses before their submissions are accepted. This can be done by sending a confirmation email with a unique verification link that the user must click to confirm their submission. By adding this extra step, you can ensure that only legitimate users can contact you through the form.
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Set Up Time-Based Filters: Implement time-based filters to block submissions that are sent too quickly or at irregular intervals. Since bots typically submit form entries rapidly and consistently, setting a minimum time threshold between submissions can help identify and reject automated spam attempts.
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Utilize IP Address Blocking: Identify and block IP addresses associated with spam submissions. Many form plugins and security tools allow you to blacklist specific IP addresses or ranges, preventing them from accessing your contact page altogether. Regularly review your access logs to identify suspicious IP addresses and add them to your blocklist.
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Customize Form Fields: Modify the default field names and labels on your contact form to make it less susceptible to automated spam. Bots often target standard form fields like "Name" and "Email," so changing these labels to unique or obscure terms can confuse automated scripts and reduce the likelihood of spam submissions.
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Enable Moderation: Configure your contact form to require manual approval for submissions before they are published or forwarded to your inbox. This allows you to review each submission individually and filter out any spam entries before they become visible or reach your email. While this approach requires more effort, it provides greater control over the content submitted through your contact form.
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Regularly Update and Monitor: Keep your WordPress plugins, themes, and core software up to date to ensure they are equipped with the latest security features and patches. Additionally, monitor your contact page regularly for signs of spam activity, such as an increase in suspicious submissions or unusual patterns. By staying vigilant and proactive, you can effectively combat contact page spam over time.
By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the prevalence of contact page spam on your WordPress website, ensuring that genuine inquiries reach you while minimizing the impact of automated spam submissions. Experiment with different techniques to find the combination that works best for your site, and don't hesitate to adjust your approach as needed to stay ahead of spammers.