While using WPForms, always be sure to use the most effective Anti-Spam plugin. Read the guide below and learn 4 steps for complete WPForms spam protection.
Once the CleanTalk Anti-Spam plugin is installed it starts to protect all of the existing forms on your WordPress website. It may not only be the WPForms Contact Form but many others.
How to install the CleanTalk Anti-Spam plugin to stop WPForms spam
To install the Anti-Spam plugin, go to your WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Add New.
Then enter «СleanTalk» in the search box and click the Install button for «Spam protection, Anti-Spam, FireWall by CleanTalk».
After installing the plugin, click the «Activate» button.
After it is done go to the plugin settings and click the «Get Access Key Automatically» button. Then just click the «Save Settings» button.
That’s it! From now you How to completely protect your WPForms Contact Forms from spam.
Check if your WPForms spam protection works
You can test the work of your spam protection by using a test email s @ cleantalk.org (without spaces). First, open the form in an Incognito browser tab. Fill in all the required form fields and send a form. After submitting the form, you will see a block message about the block on the form submission.
If you have any questions, comment; we will be happy to help you.
Create your CleanTalk account – Register now and protect your WPForms Contact Form from spam in 5 minutes
Update
The protection works only for website visitors, not for website admins. Be sure to test the form protection using Incognito mode.
Additional features
CleanTalk protects all forms at once: comments, registrations, feedback, contacts, and reviews.
Installation takes about 1-2 minutes.
Smart 99% protection against spambots.
Always online – 24/7 technical support.
Logs, SpamFireWall, personal lists, country filters, stop-words, etc.
Discover the complete list of CleanTalk Anti-Spam plugin features here.
As soon as you create your contact form using contact Forms you may get spam through the contact form. You can always use reCAPTCHA to separate bots from real visitors but it will take some time for your visitors to pass this test. Otherwise, you can use the CleanTalk Anti-Spam plugin instead so it will protect all of your Ninja forms and save your visitors’ time.
Once the CleanTalk Anti-Spam plugin is installed it starts to protect all of the existing forms on your WordPress website. It may not only be Ninja contact forms but many others.
How to install CleanTalk Anti-Spam plugin to stop Ninja Forms spam
To install the Anti-Spam plugin, go to your WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Add New.
Then enter «СleanTalk» in the search box and click the Install button for «Spam protection, Anti-Spam, FireWall by CleanTalk».
After installing the plugin, click the «Activate» button.
After it is done go to the plugin settings, click the «Get Access Key Automatically» button. Then click the «Save Settings» button.
That’s it! From now your WordPress website and Ninja forms are protected from spam.
How to check that your Ninja Forms are protected properly
You can test the work of Anti-Spam protection for your Ninja contact form by using a test email s @ cleantalk.org (without spaces). First, open the form in an Incognito browser tab.
Fill in all the required form fields and send a form. After submitting the form, you will see a block message about the block on the form submission.
If you have any questions, add a comment and we will be happy to help you.
Create your Cleantalk account – Register now and enjoy while CleanTalk Anti-Spam plugin protects all of your Ninja forms from spam.
While using Forminator Contact Forms, always be sure to use the most effective Anti-Spam plugin. Read the guide below and learn 4 steps for complete Forminator spam protection.
Once the CleanTalk Anti-Spam plugin is installed it starts to protect all of the existing forms on your WordPress website. It may not only be the Forminator Contact Form but many others.
How to install the CleanTalk Anti-Spam plugin to stop Forminator spam
To install the Anti-Spam plugin, go to your WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Add New.
Then enter «СleanTalk» in the search box and click the Install button for «Spam protection, Anti-Spam, FireWall by CleanTalk».
After installing the plugin, click the «Activate» button.
After it is done go to the plugin settings and click the «Get Access Key Automatically» button. Then just click the «Save Settings» button.
That’s it! From now you How to completely protect your Forminator Contact Form from spam.
Check if your Forminator spam protection works
You can test the work of your spam protection by using a test email s @ cleantalk.org (without spaces). First, open the form in an Incognito browser tab. Fill in all the required form fields and send a form. After submitting the form, you will see a block message about the block on the form submission.
If you have any questions, comment; we will be happy to help you.
Create your CleanTalk account – Register now and protect your Forminator Contact Form from spam in 5 minutes
Update
The protection works only for website visitors, not for website admins. Be sure to test the form protection using Incognito mode.
Additional features
CleanTalk protects all forms at once: comments, registrations, feedback, contacts, and reviews.
Installation takes about 1-2 minutes.
Smart 99% protection against spambots.
Always online – 24/7 technical support.
Logs, SpamFireWall, personal lists, country filters, stop-words, etc.
Discover the complete list of CleanTalk Anti-Spam plugin features here.
Nobody likes spam. It makes your website look untrustworthy and unprofessional in case the site is filled with spam comments. Search engines like Google penalize sites that have spammy content, which can result in lower search rankings and decreased visibility. Moreover, some spam may contain malicious links or code, posing security risks to website visitors. Definitely not good.
Why not just keep reCAPTCHA?
Most WordPress forms already have anti-spam protection like Google ReCAPTCHA, so why not just leave it?
If you’re reading this article, you probably already know that the user experience of using Google reCAPTCHA can be frustrating: hard-to-read CAPTCHAs and lots of challenges are required to prove that the user is not a bot. This wastes your visitors’ time and even can cause them to leave.
Another issue is accessibility: some users with disabilities, such as visual impairments, may have difficulty completing reCAPTCHA tasks, leading to accessibility issues.
How to choose a WordPress anti spam plugin
So, site owners who respect their visitors most often choose WP plugins with invisible yet reliable spam protection. Except, all plugins are different and mostly act in various ways. They are compatible with different numbers of forms, have different sets of tools, and of course cost differently.
To help you out we’ve compared the 5 most popular anti spam WordPress plugins in one table below, but first, we’ll tell you a little about each one.
1. CleanTalk
Anti-Spam is a cloud-based platform that offers advanced spam protection and website security services. It allows you to protect all forms on your WordPress site at once and grants protections for 55 forms plugins, no matter whether it is a comment, contact, registration form, or any other.
It also provides detailed statistics and logs of spam activity, allowing website owners to monitor and analyze spam trends. Anti-Spam offers a 14-day free trial period and different pricing plans based on the number of websites and the desired features.
Features
Protects all types of forms at once.
Has personalized lists filtered by language/ip/email/country/stop words.
Spam FireWall allows blocking spam bots even before they reach a site.
Maximum detailed logs are stored for up to 45 days.
Akismet is a popular spam filtering service for websites and blogs, developed by Automattic. It is designed to automatically detect and filter out spam comments and form submissions, helping to keep websites and online communities free from unwanted and potentially harmful content. Akismet uses advanced algorithms and data from lots of sites to identify and block spam, providing website owners with an effective tool to maintain the quality and security of their online platforms.
Has a free plan, but for non-commercial use only, which means: no ads are displayed, no products/services are sold, and no business is promoted on your website.
Features:
Is already pre-installed on your WordPress website.
Removes the most harmful spam to prevent possible risks.
Reveals any concealed or deceptive URLs within comments.
Free plan for non-commercial use.
Allows moderators to mark blocked comments as spam or legitimate.
Antispam Bee is a popular WordPress plugin designed to combat spam on WordPress websites. It helps website owners to filter out spam comments, trackbacks, and other unwanted content that can be submitted by bots or spammers. The plugin uses a variety of methods to detect and block spam, including comment filters, IP address checks, and the use of various blacklists.
Additionally, the plugin automatically removes any spam that has been filtered out. You can specify in the settings when you want the spam to be deleted. You also have the option to designate certain types of spam to be directly sent to the trash without needing any additional action.
Features
Spam statistics are available.
Allow comments from specific languages.
Restrict comments from specific countries.
Exclude trackbacks and pingbacks in spam detection.
Zero Spam is a WordPress plugin designed to help website owners combat spam in their comments section. It uses a combination of techniques to block spam, including JavaScript-based checks, time-based checks, and honeypot fields. The plugin aims to be user-friendly and effective at blocking spam while minimizing false positives and not inconveniencing legitimate users. Zero Spam also includes features such as automatic spam removal and the ability to customize settings to suit the specific needs of a website.
In addition to identifying and preventing spam, Zero Spam also allows you to identify the geographical origin of these spam messages. This feature enables you to prevent future comments and registrations from specific countries and regions based on the information provided.
Features
No need for admin moderation.
Ability to block IP addresses either manually or automatically.
Can be integrated with widely used plugins.
Identifies the geographical location of IP addresses.
Provides protection for WooCommerce registration forms.
Titan Anti-Spam is a WordPress plugin designed to protect websites from spam and malicious activity. It offers features such as IP address blocking, integration with popular plugins, and protection for WooCommerce registration forms. The plugin aims to prevent spam submissions, comments, and registrations, ultimately enhancing the security and integrity of WordPress websites.
Additionally, Titan Anti-Spam can identify the geographical location of IP addresses, enabling website administrators to take appropriate action to mitigate potential threats.
CleanTalk added spam protection for Brevo Forms using direct form integration. So in case, you prefer using Brevo Forms be sure to use the most effective Anti-Spam plugin. Read the guide below and learn 4 steps to protect your Brevo Forms from spam.
Once the CleanTalk Anti-Spam plugin is installed it starts to protect all of the existing forms on your WordPress website. It may not only be Brevo Forms but also many others.
To install the Anti-Spam plugin, go to your WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Add New.
Then enter «СleanTalk» in the search box and click the Install button for «Spam protection, Anti-Spam, FireWall by CleanTalk».
After installing the plugin, click the «Activate» button.
After it is done go to the plugin settings and click the «Get Access Key Automatically» button. Then just click the «Save Settings» button.
That’s it! From now you How to completely protect your Brevo Forms from spam.
How to check spam protection for Brevo Forms
You can test the work of Anti-Spam protection for your СonvertKit Forms by using a test email s @ cleantalk.org (without spaces). First, open the form in an Incognito browser tab. Fill in all the required form fields and send a form. After submitting the form, you will see a block message about the block on the form submission.
If you have any questions, add a comment and we will be happy to help you.
Create your CleanTalk account – Register now and protect your СonvertKit Forms from spam in 5 minutes
Update
The protection works only for website visitors, not for website admins. Be sure to test the form protection using Incognito mode.
Additional features
CleanTalk protects all forms at once: comments, registrations, feedbacks, contacts, reviews.
Installation takes about 1-2 minutes.
Smart 99% protection against spambots.
Always online – 24/7 technical support.
Logs, SpamFireWall, personal lists, country filters, stop-words, and many others.
Discover the complete list of CleanTalk Anti-Spam plugin features here.
While using Elementor Contact Form, always be sure to use the most effective Anti-Spam plugin. Read the guide below and learn how to protect your Elementor Contact Form from spam in 5 minutes.
Once CleanTalk Anti-Spam plugin is installed it starts to protect all of the existing forms on your WordPress website. It may not only be Elementor Contact Form but many others.
To install the Anti-Spam plugin, go to your WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Add New.
Then enter «СleanTalk» in the search box and click the Install button for «Spam protection, Anti-Spam, FireWall by CleanTalk».
After installing the plugin, click the «Activate» button.
After it is done go to the plugin settings and click the «Get Access Key Automatically» button. Then just click the «Save Settings» button.
That’s it! From now you How to completely protect your Elementor Contact Form from spam.
Check the result to save your Elementor Contact Form from spam
You can test the work of Anti-Spam protection for your Elementor Contact Form by using a test email s @ cleantalk.org (without spaces). First, open the form in an Incognito browser tab.
Fill in all the required form fields and send a form. After submitting the form, you will see a block message about the block on the form submission.
If you have any questions, add a comment and we will be happy to help you.
Create your CleanTalk account – Register now and protect your Elementor Contact Form from spam in 5 minutes
Update
The protection works only for website visitors, not for website admins. Be sure to test the form protection using Incognito mode.
Additional features
CleanTalk protects all forms at once: comments, registrations, feedbacks, contacts, reviews.
Installation takes about 1-2 minutes.
Smart 99% protection against spambots.
Always online – 24/7 technical support.
Logs, SpamFireWall, personal lists, country filters, stop-words, and many others.
Receiving only valid email addresses on the contact form is very important for effective communication with customers. Incorrect or invalid addresses can result in lost leads and skewed marketing campaign performance statistics. CleanTalk Anti-Spam has the ability to check email addresses for their existence, which helps avoid sending emails to invalid addresses and ensures accurate and reliable contact information. This saves time and resources when processing data, and improves the overall effectiveness of your marketing efforts.
Discover the complete list of CleanTalk Anti-Spam plugin features here.
CleanTalk added spam protection for Aweber Forms using direct form integration. So in case, if you prefer using Aweber Forms be sure to use the most effective Anti-Spam plugin. Read the guide below and learn 4 steps to protect your Aweber Forms from spam.
Once the CleanTalk Anti-Spam plugin is installed it starts to protect all of the existing forms on your WordPress website. It may not only be Aweber Forms but also many others.
To install the Anti-Spam plugin, go to your WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Add New.
Then enter «CleanTalk» in the search box and click the Install button for «Spam protection, Anti-Spam, FireWall by CleanTalk».
After installing the plugin, click the «Activate» button.
After it is done go to the plugin settings and click the «Get Access Key Automatically» button. Then just click the «Save Settings» button.
That’s it! From now you How to completely protect your Aweber forms from spam.
How to check spam protection for Aweber Forms
You can test the work of Anti-Spam protection for your Aweber Forms by using a test email s @ cleantalk.org (without spaces). First, open the form in an Incognito browser tab. Fill in all the required form fields and send a form. After submitting the form, you will see a block message about the block on the form submission.
If you have any questions, add a comment and we will be happy to help you.
Create your CleanTalk account – Register now and protect your Aweber Forms from spam in 5 minutes
Update
The protection works only for website visitors, not for website admins. Be sure to test the form protection using Incognito mode.
Additional features
CleanTalk protects all forms at once: comments, registrations, feedback, contacts, and reviews.
Installation takes about 1-2 minutes.
Smart 99% protection against spambots.
Always online – 24/7 technical support.
Logs, SpamFireWall, personal lists, country filters, stop-words, and many others.
Discover the complete list of CleanTalk Anti-Spam plugin features here.
CleanTalk added spam protection for Back In Stock Notifier using direct form integration. So in order to stop Back In Stock Notifier for WooCommerce spam, be sure to use the most effective Anti-Spam plugin. Read the guide below and learn 4 steps to protect your Back In Stock Notifier from spam.
Once the CleanTalk Anti-Spam plugin is installed it starts to protect all of the existing forms on your WordPress website. It may not only be Back In Stock Notifier but also many others.
Note: the protection only works with alternative cookies on and only for website visitors, not for website admins. Be sure to test the form protection using Incognito mode.
To install the Anti-Spam plugin, go to your WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Add New.
Then enter «CleanTalk» in the search box and click the Install button for «Spam protection, Anti-Spam, FireWall by CleanTalk».
After installing the plugin, click the «Activate» button.
After it is done go to the plugin settings and click the «Get Access Key Automatically» button. Then just click the «Save Settings» button.
Then go to Advanced settings and scroll down to the Data Processing section. Find the Use Anti-Spam by CleanTalk JavaScript library option and switch it on. Press the Save Changes button.
That’s it! From now you know how to stop Back In Stock Notifier for WooCommerce spam. If you have any questions, add a comment and we will be happy to help you.
Create your CleanTalk account – Register now and protect your Back In Stock Notifier from spam in 5 minutes
Additional features
CleanTalk protects all forms at once: comments, registrations, feedbacks, contacts, reviews.
Installation takes about 1-2 minutes.
Smart 99% protection against spambots.
Always online – 24/7 technical support.
Logs, SpamFireWall, personal lists, country filters, stop-words, and many others.
Discover the complete list of CleanTalk Anti-Spam plugin features here.
WordPress powers a significant portion of the internet, making it an attractive target for cyberattacks. Ensuring the security of your WordPress website is paramount. One essential aspect of WordPress security is regularly checking your wp-content directory for vulnerabilities. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of safeguarding your wp-content folder using the powerful Security by CleanTalk plugin.
Why Checking wp-content for Malware is Crucial?
Your website’s wp-content directory is a critical part of your WordPress installation. It contains themes, plugins, and uploaded media files, making it an attractive target for hackers. Malicious actors often seek vulnerabilities in this directory to compromise your website’s security.
Checking wp-content is vital because it allows you to:
Detect Unauthorized Access: Regular checks help you identify any unauthorized changes or suspicious files within your wp-content folder.
Prevent Malware Infections: Detecting malware early can prevent it from spreading throughout your site, damaging your reputation and potentially harming your visitors.
Maintain Website Performance: A compromised wp-content directory can slow down your site and disrupt its functionality. Regular checks help maintain optimal performance.
Protect Sensitive Data: Your wp-content directory may contain sensitive information. Ensuring its security safeguards your data and user information.
Introducing Security by CleanTalk
To streamline the process of checking your wp-content directory and enhancing your WordPress security, we recommend installing the “Security by CleanTalk” plugin. This comprehensive security plugin offers a wide range of features to protect your website, including:
Real-time Firewall: Defends your site against malicious traffic and hacking attempts in real-time.
Spam Protection: Blocks spam comments and registrations to keep your site’s content clean.
Malware Scanner: Regularly scans your website for malware, vulnerabilities, and unsafe permissions.
Login Page Security: Protects your login page from brute force attacks.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Adds an extra layer of login security for administrators.
IP and Country Blocking: Allows you to block specific IP addresses or entire countries to prevent malicious access.
Security Audit Trails: Keeps a record of all security-related events on your site for monitoring and analysis.
How to Install Security by CleanTalk
Follow these simple steps to install and activate Security by CleanTalk on your WordPress website:
Login to Your WordPress Admin Dashboard: Navigate to your WordPress dashboard by entering your site’s URL followed by “/wp-admin” (e.g., “https://yourwebsite.com/wp-admin“).
Go to Plugins: In the left sidebar, click on “Plugins.”
Add New Plugin: Click the “Add New” button at the top of the Plugins page.
Search for “Security by CleanTalk”: In the search bar, type “Security by CleanTalk” and press Enter.
Install and Activate: When you see the plugin in the search results, click “Install Now,” and then click “Activate” once it’s installed.
Configure Settings: Visit the “Security by CleanTalk” settings page in your WordPress dashboard to configure the plugin’s settings to your liking. Be sure to set up the malware scanner to check your wp-content directory regularly.
Enjoy Enhanced Security: With Security by CleanTalk in place, your WordPress website is now fortified against threats, and your wp-content directory will be regularly monitored for vulnerabilities.
Security by CleanTalk at WordPress.The Malware scanner checked and found an issue with wp-content.The Malware scanner cured files at wp-content.
Conclusion
Regularly checking your wp-content directory is an essential part of maintaining a secure WordPress website. To simplify this process and ensure comprehensive protection for your site, we recommend installing the “Security by CleanTalk” plugin. With its wide range of security features, this plugin will help you safeguard your website, keeping it safe from threats and ensuring the integrity of your wp-content directory.
Don’t leave the security of your WordPress site to chance—take proactive steps today by installing Security by CleanTalk and regularly checking your wp-content folder for peace of mind and a secure online presence.
As a WordPress user let me share my experience of using CAPTCHA less and CAPTCHA style Anti-Spam tools on the example of Contact form 7.
Is reCAPTCHA good or bad for Contact form 7?
Contact Form 7 users may prefer Anti-spam by CleanTalk over reCAPTCHA for several reasons, as each solution has its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some potential reasons why some users prefer Anti-spam by CleanTalk:
Simplicity: Anti-spam by CleanTalk offers a simpler and more user-friendly solution compared to reCAPTCHA. It doesn’t require users to solve puzzles or click checkboxes, which can be seen as an added step that may deter some visitors from submitting forms.
Reduced User Friction: reCAPTCHA can sometimes lead to a less than ideal user experience, especially for those who find it challenging to complete the visual or interactive challenges. Anti-spam by CleanTalk doesn’t require any user interaction, so it doesn’t add any friction to the form submission process.
Invisible to Users: Anti-spam by CleanTalk works invisibly in the background, so users are not aware of its presence. In contrast, reCAPTCHA typically requires users to complete a task to prove they are not a bot.
Accessibility: Some users have accessibility concerns with reCAPTCHA, as it relies on visual verification. Anti-spam by CleanTalk does not present accessibility challenges in the same way, making it a more inclusive solution.
Accuracy: Anti-spam by CleanTalk uses a combination of methods, including machine learning and a vast database of known spam sources, to identify and block spam submissions. This approach can be effective in detecting and preventing spam without relying on user interaction.
Reduced False Positives: reCAPTCHA, while effective at blocking bots, may occasionally generate false positives, blocking legitimate users. Anti-spam by CleanTalk aims to minimize false positives, ensuring that genuine inquiries are not inadvertently marked as spam.
Customization: Users have the ability to customize Anti-spam by CleanTalk settings to meet their specific needs and preferences, tailoring the spam protection to their site’s requirements.
Integration: Anti-spam by CleanTalk is designed to seamlessly integrate with Contact Form 7 and other popular form plugins, making it easy for users to implement spam protection without significant configuration.
Anti-Spam by CleanTalk
It’s important to note that the choice between Anti-spam by CleanTalk and reCAPTCHA may depend on the specific needs and preferences of individual website owners. Some users may prioritize ease of use and a seamless user experience, while others may prioritize the high level of bot detection offered by reCAPTCHA. Ultimately, the choice between these solutions should align with your website’s goals and the user experience you want to provide. Additionally, some users may opt to use both solutions in combination to enhance spam protection further.
How to install Anti-Spam by CleanTalk?
To install and configure the “Anti-Spam by CleanTalk” WordPress plugin for your website, follow these steps:
1. Log in to Your WordPress Dashboard:
Navigate to your WordPress admin dashboard by entering your site’s URL followed by “/wp-admin” (e.g., “https://yourwebsite.com/wp-admin“).
2. Access the Plugins Section:
In the WordPress dashboard, locate and click on the “Plugins” option in the left-hand menu.
3. Click “Add New”:
On the Plugins page, click the “Add New” button at the top of the screen. This will take you to the Add Plugins page.
4. Search for “Anti-Spam by CleanTalk”:
In the search bar on the Add Plugins page, type “Anti-Spam by CleanTalk” and press Enter. The search results will appear.
5. Install the Plugin:
Locate the “Anti-Spam by CleanTalk” plugin in the search results. Click the “Install Now” button next to the plugin’s name.
6. Activate the Plugin:
After installation, a new button will appear that says “Activate.” Click this button to activate the Anti-Spam by CleanTalk plugin.
7. Enter Your Access Key:
Once the plugin is activated, you’ll need to enter your access key to enable the anti-spam features. You can obtain the access key by signing up for CleanTalk on their website (https://cleantalk.org/) and subscribing to their service. After subscribing, you’ll receive an access key via email.
a. In the WordPress dashboard, go to “Settings” in the left-hand menu.
b. Click on “Anti-Spam by CleanTalk” from the submenu.
c. Enter your access key in the provided field.
d. Click the “Check Access Key” button to validate your access key.
8. Configure Settings:
Once your access key is validated, you can configure the plugin settings according to your preferences. The settings allow you to customize the anti-spam protection for your site, including options for comments, registrations, contact forms, and more.
9. Save Changes:
After configuring your settings, don’t forget to click the “Save Changes” button to apply your chosen anti-spam settings.
10. Verify That It’s Working:
To ensure that the plugin is effectively blocking spam, just use email st********@*****le.com in a contact form 7. You have to see a special response from Anti-Spam by CleanTalk that describes a reason for blocking.
*** Forbidden. Sender blacklisted. ***
Anti-Spam by CleanTalk shows the reason of blocking form submission.
11. Periodic Review:
Periodically review the plugin’s dashboard to check its performance and verify that it’s actively blocking spam submissions. CleanTalk provides statistics on the number of spam attempts blocked.
That’s it! You’ve successfully installed and configured the “Anti-Spam by CleanTalk” plugin on your WordPress website. This plugin will help protect your site from unwanted spam submissions and improve the overall security and user experience of your WordPress site.
