University at Buffalo (UB)
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New anti-spam measures follow addition of reCAPTCHA component
Published May 7, 2012 This content is archived.
The anti-spam and anti-spam time value fields are new measures available for use on forms created on UBCMS websites.
Additional safeguards have been installed in the UBCMS to help reduce or eliminate spam clogging up email inboxes via the use of forms on UB websites.
The new features that have been added to the Form Container component within the UBCMS follow the addition of a reCAPTCHA component, a tool that requires form users to retype a set of words into a box.
This verifies that the user is a human, using the form for legitimate reasons, and not a bot, a program that auto fills a form, generating spam.
In addition to reCAPTCHA, forms created in a UBCMS website now include what's known as a "honeypot form field" and a time stamp, both of which are designed to significantly reduce spam.
The honeypot form field is hidden from human users but not bots. If the field is filled in, it's an indication that a bot has been used to complete the form and the form is not sent.
The time stamp function allows UBCMS users to input a value, in seconds, that is the minimum amount of time it is likely to take a person to complete the form.
For most forms, including shorter ones, entering 5 (for five seconds) into the field will suffice. If the form is completed in less time, the entry is not submitted because it's likely that it was completed by a bot.
Both measures, in addition to the previously noted reCAPTCHA component, are widely used anti-spam measures. UBCMS users can choose to use all three safeguards or just the reCAPTCHA component.