Comment Spam Catcher Spam Karma 2.2 Released

One of my favorite comment spam catching tools, Spam Karma, has just released its latest version, 2.2.

New in 2.2:

* Miscellaneous bug-fixes (UI, WP2 compatibility etc.)
* Fine-tuning of older modules to accomodate new spambot breed.
* Minor additions to SK2’s filtering modules to raise SK2 protections.

I’ve written before about how much I adore the ease and concentrated effort the Spam Karma WordPress Plugin provides by putting a stop to comment spam on WordPress blogs. I recently wrote about how Spam Karma is fighting back against the comment spam bots form hell and ongoing efforts to compete against time-wastering comment spam promoters. Spam Karma’s developer continues to be at the forefront for protecting WordPress users from these evil doers.

Comment spam isn’t fun, and it does waste a lot of time, but don’t let your fear of comment spam keep you from blogging. With great tools like Akismet and Spam Karma, comment spam is mostly put down and your blogging administrative tasks are merely housekeeping.

5 Comments

Kirk M

Posted February 8, 2007 at 3:02 pm | Permalink

I just installed Spam Karma 2 in place of Akismet (while Akismet gets their server problem fixed) and I was wondering if you know of anyone that might have posted “How to” type of instructions on how to use it. I understand that you can set it and forget it (mostly) but I’ve found that while it’s been working well enough, it did flag some of the comments from my long time commenter’s as spam and blacklisted them even though I could see no reason for it. In attempting to fix this error I somehow lost 5 comments.

If you happen to know of any “do’s and don’t’s” posts for SK2 please let me know. It’s too easy to make mistakes with this plugin. 🙂

Lorelle VanFossen

Posted February 8, 2007 at 3:18 pm | Permalink

Just go slowly and stick with the Recent Spam Harvest Page to go through and carefully select which comments are spam and which are not. Then Remove them. Ignore the rest of the configuration pages and such, except for the good comments under Approved Comments, marking the ones that get through as spam by checking them and clicking Moderate Selected.

That will get you through fine. And consider adding Bad Behavior to stop them before they get in.

Kirk M

Posted February 8, 2007 at 5:04 pm | Permalink

Thank you so much. Perhaps a couple more questions then I have to head to bed (it’s late here in the Northeast Kingdom)).

Would you recommend running the Akismet 2.0 plugin also (I have the Spam Karma-2-Akismet plugin added to SK2 as well)? I understand that you don’t have to but it occurs to me that SK2’s blacklist wouldn’t be “fleshed out” properly if Akismet were running along side it. Meanwhile, I’ll mind your instructions when I deal with the spam and check out Bad Behavior also.

Thanks for the quick answer.

Lorelle VanFossen

Posted February 8, 2007 at 5:09 pm | Permalink

I have never had to use Spam Karma’s blacklist. It works excellently without it. You can use Akismet with Spam Karma, Bad Behavior, or just two of the three of your choice. They all work together. No stress.

I recommend you also check out I’m Winning the Battle Against Comment Spam to help you a little more. Good luck.

Kirk M

Posted February 9, 2007 at 2:35 am | Permalink

Thanks again. I believe I’ve got a handle on things now and I’ll check out “Winning the Battle”

And thanks for providing all this excellent info for all of us “yearling” WP type bloggers. You are truly appreciated for your effort. I hope more folks let you know that and if they don’t…they should.