In April, CleanTalk SpamFireWall achieved a significant milestone by blocking an impressive 777 million bot requests. This accomplishment underscores our commitment to enhancing digital security through cutting-edge technology and vigilant monitoring.
This feat serves as a reminder of the persistent threat posed by automated bots in today’s interconnected world. SpamFireWall plays a crucial role in safeguarding online platforms from exploitation by swiftly identifying and neutralizing suspicious activities.
We owe this success to our team’s dedication and our customers’ support. Their invaluable feedback and collaboration have been instrumental in achieving this remarkable milestone.
You can find our latest spam stats here for those interested in more detailed statistics on bot activity and SpamFireWall’s performance.
SpamFireWall, an optional feature of the CleanTalk Anti-Spam Plugin, enhances website security by blocking access for spam-active IP addresses, effectively denying them entry (via blocking GET requests). By intercepting spambots before they reach the website, SpamFireWall prevents the loading of pages for these malicious bots. This action alleviates the burden on your web server, reducing the load on both the database and server resources.
Moving forward, SpamFireWall remains committed to staying at the forefront of cybersecurity. We will continue to innovate and adapt to emerging threats to ensure a safer digital landscape for all users.
This achievement in April reflects our unwavering resolve to combat cyber threats and uphold the highest standards of digital security. Together, we will continue to protect online ecosystems and instill confidence in users worldwide.
In the expansive domain of WordPress, a critical security flaw has been unveiled within the widely-utilized All-in-One SEO plugin. Known by its identifier, CVE-2024-3368, this vulnerability exposes a concerning loophole that malicious actors can exploit through Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks, jeopardizing the security of numerous websites. The trouble concerns all versions of All-in-One SEO older than 4.6.1.1.
This flaw was unearthed during routine security evaluations, shedding light on a troubling scenario where unauthorized individuals can inject harmful JavaScript code directly into WordPress posts. This unauthorized access allows for the manipulation of administrative privileges, potentially leading to serious repercussions such as website tampering and unauthorized data access.
In response to this alarming revelation, immediate action is crucial. WordPress website owners are strongly advised to promptly update their All-in-One SEO plugin to the latest version, fortified with patches to address this vulnerability. Furthermore, implementing stringent security measures, including regular audits and access controls, is essential to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Behind the scenes, CleanTalk remains dedicated to safeguarding the WordPress ecosystem. Through vigilant monitoring of plugins and the provision of timely alerts, CleanTalk aims to empower website owners with the necessary tools and knowledge to defend against cyber threats effectively and preserve the integrity of their digital platforms.
Many online comments and reviews are helpful, but some might not be written by real users. A special verification badge could indicate if a comment/review is confirmed to be written by a real person. This might help you decide which reviews to trust more when reading/discussing online.
Why it is important to protect a mobile app from spam bots
Spam bots are a serious threat to your website, but it affects your mobile app just the same. More than 54% of traffic goes from mobile devices and 76% of internet traffic comes from bad bots. This means that bad bots generate up to 41% of your mobile traffic However, we have listed 5 reasons to protect your mobile app from bots and to stop bad bots before harming your app.
Why it is important to protect your mobile app from spam bots
User experience Spam bots can flood your app with fake accounts, comments, and messages, which can eventually lead to degrading the user experience for legitimate users.
Security Spam bots can carry out malicious activities such as spreading malware, phishing attacks, and stealing sensitive information from users.
Resource consumption Spam bots can overwhelm your servers and consume valuable resources, leading to slower performance and increased costs.
Reputation If your app is known for being overrun by spam bots, it can damage your reputation and deter legitimate users from using your app.
Compliance Depending on the nature of your app, you may be required to comply with regulations related to data privacy and security. Allowing spam bots to operate unchecked can put you at risk of violating these regulations.
How it works
The Bot Detector works in the background and is not visible to the user. It does not require the user to confirm that he is not a bot.
How to install your mobile app spam protection
If you need to protect mobile apps from spam, you will definitely need a solution that uses API to check registrations for spam. The Bot Detector service uses the CleanTalk check_bot API method via a special library that you can download and integrate with just 1 line of code. You can check out our detailed instructions on GitHub below.
CleanTalk added spam protection for FluentBooking using direct form integration. Always be sure to use the most effective Anti-Spam plugin. For example CleanTalk Anti-Spam will guarantee your FluentBooking spam protection in about 5 minutes.
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 FluentBooking but many other forms.
How to check your FluentBooking spam protection in about 5 minutes
You can test the work of Anti-Spam protection for your FluentBooking 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 enjoy your spam-free FluentBooking.
CleanTalk added spam protection for Divi Builder email opt-in subscription form using direct form integration. So in case, you prefer using Divi subscription form be sure to use the most effective Anti-Spam plugin. Read the guide below and learn 4 steps to protect your Divi subscription form 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 Newsletters subscription 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 Divi Builder email opt-in subscription form from spam.
How to check spam protection for Divi Builder email opt-in
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 Divi Builder email opt-in 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, 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 Tribulant Newsletters using direct form integration. So in case, you prefer using Tribulant Newsletters be sure to use the most effective Anti-Spam plugin. Read the guide below and learn 4 steps to protect your Newsletters 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 Newsletters subscription 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 Tribulant Newsletters from spam.
How to check spam protection for Tribulant Newsletters
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 Tribulant Newsletters 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.
A WordPress plugin is a piece of software that adds specific functionality to a WordPress website. You can also call in an add-on or extension that enhances the core features of the WordPress platform. Plugins are designed to be easily installed, activated, and configured by users without the need for any coding knowledge.
WordPress plugins are typically written in PHP, the programming language used in WordPress development. They can include various types of files such as PHP scripts, CSS stylesheets, JavaScript code, and images. Plugins can be created by individual developers, companies, or the WordPress community at large.
How Do WordPress Plugins Work?
WordPress plugins work by hooking into the core functionality of the WordPress platform. When you activate a plugin, it can modify or extend various aspects of a WordPress site, such as adding new features, customizing existing ones, or improving performance.
Plugins can interact with different parts of a WordPress site through hooks and filters. Hooks are predefined points in the WordPress code where plugins can insert their own code to modify the behavior of the site. Filters allow plugins to modify data before it is displayed on the site.
WordPress plugins can also include settings pages where users can configure the plugin’s behavior and options. These settings pages are typically accessible from the WordPress admin dashboard and provide users with a way to customize how the plugin functions.
Types of WordPress Plugins
There are thousands of WordPress plugins available for a wide range of purposes. Some of the most common types of plugins include:
SEO Plugins These plugins help optimize a website for search engines by providing tools for keyword research, metatag optimization, XML sitemap generation, and more.
E-commerce Plugins E-commerce plugins enable users to create online stores and sell products or services directly from their WordPress sites. Popular e-commerce plugins include WooCommerce, Easy Digital Downloads, and Shopify.
Contact Form Plugins Contact form plugins allow users to create custom contact forms for their websites to collect visitor information and inquiries. Examples include Contact Form 7, WPForms, and Gravity Forms. Most of contact forms still need an anti-spam protection, so, feel free to use Anti-Spam plugins like Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.
Security Plugins Security plugins help protect WordPress sites from security threats such as malware, hacking attempts, and spam.
Performance Optimization Plugins These plugins help improve the speed and performance of a WordPress site by optimizing images, caching content, and minimizing code. Examples include WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, and Smush Image Compression and Optimization.
How to Install a WordPress Plugin
Installing a WordPress plugin is a straightforward process that you can do in just a few simple steps. Let’s say, you want to install the Contact Form 7 plugin to your website. That’s how you do it:
Search for the Plugin: In the WordPress admin dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New. Use the search bar to find the plugin you want to install.
Install the Plugin: Click the “Install Now” button next to the plugin you want to install. Once the installation is complete, click the “Activate” button to activate the plugin.
Use the Plugin: Once you installed and activate it, you can start using its features on your WordPress site. Depending on the type of plugin, you may need to add widgets, shortcodes, or configure settings to make use of its functionality.
5 Tips to Use WordPress Plugins Like a Pro
While WordPress plugins offer numerous benefits, it’s essential to use them wisely to avoid potential issues such as conflicts, security vulnerabilities, and performance problems. Here are some tips for using WordPress plugins:
Tip 1: Choose Quality Plugins
Select plugins from reputable sources such as the official WordPress Plugin Directory or trusted third-party developers. Check user reviews, ratings, and update frequency before installing a plugin.
Tip 2: Keep Plugins Updated
Regularly update your plugins to ensure they are compatible with the latest version of WordPress and have any security vulnerabilities patched. Most plugins provide automatic updates for added convenience.
Tip 3: Limit Plugin Usage
Avoid installing too many plugins on your site as this can slow down performance and increase the risk of conflicts. Only install plugins that are necessary for your site’s functionality.
Tip 4: Test Plugins Before Installation
Before installing a new plugin on your live site, test it on a staging environment or local installation to ensure it works as expected and doesn’t cause any issues with existing functionality.
Tip 5: Monitor Plugin Performance
Keep an eye on your site’s performance metrics after installing new plugins to identify any changes in loading times or server resources. Remove or replace plugins that negatively impact performance.
Traditional spam protection methods, such as CAPTCHA are becoming less effective as spammers become more sophisticated. As a result, website owners are turning to more innovative and smart solutions for their CMS.
However, not all websites are made with CMS. According to the study, 32% of sites on the Internet are created without any. And that’s over 36,000,000 sites that still need protection. If you use a CMS, protecting your website is easy – just install the proper plugin or addon and you’re done. But what if your website is built without a CMS?
How to protect your website without using CMS plugins or addons?
That’s where the Bot Detector shows up. It is a one-line code that allows you to connect to the Anti-Spam cloud without using any kind of plugins or additional software. The service is completely invisible and doesn’t bother your visitors. Its main goal is to protect all the forms on the site and block all known spam bots even before they ever reach your website.
Spam has been a major problem for website owners for many years. From annoying comment spam to harmful email spam, it can be difficult to keep your website and your visitors safe from the constant barrage of unwanted and potentially harmful content. However, there is a brand new method for anti-spam protection of your website from spam and spam bots that is gaining popularity and proving to be highly effective.
How to install Bot Detector
Download the lib and unpack it to your filesystem. Add the CleanTalk Bot-detector JS library wrapper to the page HTML you want to protect.
CleanTalk added spam protection for Kali Forms Pro using direct form integration. So be sure to use the most effective Anti-Spam plugin. Read the guide below and learn 4 steps to protect your 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 Kali Forms Pro 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 website from spam.
How to check spam protection for Kali Forms Pro
You can test the work of Anti-Spam protection for your 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 Kali Forms Pro 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.
