Recaptcha failing to keep spam out

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I have added reCAPTCHA to the Studio Testimonials Pro, and while it works with human users, it seems to allow bots to deposit spam into our testimonials database. I tried switching to the silent/imageless version of reCAPTCHA and no joy. I'm not sure what else to try.

To check it out, go tohttp://dancetoday.tv (go down to the purple band at the bottom and click on "Tell us about your experience."

I appreciate any help you're willing to offer.

Thanks!

jalen
 
mnakalay replied on at Permalink Reply
mnakalay
Something is really wrong with that testimonial package as it is not taking into account your captcha. It was trivial to enable the submit button manually ( without using the captcha and then send a message.

It should have been rejected because the captcha was not filled but it went through.

You will find my "testimonial" with the name Nour and message "testing"

That submit button being disabled until everything is filled seems to be the only protection the form offers. Any automated bot will simply submit the form directly without even using the button.

I suggest you contact the plugin developer and tell him captcha is not taken into account
mnakalay replied on at Permalink Reply
mnakalay
Sorry I just noticed that package doesn't actually make use of captcha systems and you most likely added the captcha manually yourself at the bottom of the form.

In that case, it's not going to work. The form would require some modification to make it work
jalen replied on at Permalink Reply
jalen
Thanks for your response. Yes, I did add in the reCAPTCHA myself. I originally used the version that presents images for people to click on (prove that they're human). That worked to challenge human respondents, but that didn't stop the bots. Then I used the "invisible" version, and that produced the same results.
mnakalay replied on at Permalink Reply
mnakalay
I am afraid that testimonial package was not designed to use recaptcha or any kind of captcha. Internally, it's using a system called a honeypot but that's as weak as it gets.

To make it work with captcha, you would have to modify the package itself. You could hire someone to do it, it wouldn't be that complicated.
jalen replied on at Permalink Reply
jalen
Thanks again for your reply. Yes, I realized the addon doesn't currently use reCaptcha. I modified it myself, with the help of the ExchangeCore reCAPTCHA addon. Incidentally, I realized that I didn't use the recaptcha.check() function to test (and control) whether to actually save the testimonial.

I've since done that, and I believe it might be working properly now. It only presents image challenges under some circumstances (of which I'm not entirely clear)

Thanks very much for your time.