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Patzee
09-07-2003, 08:12 PM
We have been hit hard by email-harvesting spambots. :( There are several JavaScripts available that scramble email addresses to discourage spambots.

I don't want to lock out users that do not have JavaScript enabled, so I'd like to test to see if JavaScript is on, and if not, redirect or open a window that contains a standard html form for those users. I see a lot of scripts for identifying browsers and then redirecting, but I only want to redirect after they click on a link or graphic to then start the redirect.

Thanks, Pat
Gollum
09-08-2003, 04:19 AM
Just a thought...

One thing you could do is assume they don't have javascript and use an image file to display your e-mail address suitably disguised so that spambots can't read it, then use javascript to hide it in the body.onload handler and replace it with a decrypted mailto:

That way both types get to see your e-mail address.

Question, how long do you think before spambots get wise and start executing javascript on the page to hunt down encrypted e-mail addresses?
AdamGundry
09-08-2003, 11:49 AM
You could use something like this (avoiding the JS issue completely):

<a href="mailto:you&amp;#64;example&amp;#46;com">you&amp;#64;example&amp;#46;com</a>

Adam
Patzee
09-08-2003, 04:11 PM
Thanks for the suggestions. I thought about using the replacement characters, but I was wondering if the spambots were already on to this system.

Maybe I'll just do that to start and if that doesn't work, then I may have to resort to an html form (which is a pain for the sender and sendee) or see if I can find a server-side solution.

Many thanks! Pat
Patzee
09-08-2003, 05:05 PM
Gollum:

I'm not sure I understand what you are saying, but I've copied your message and I'll see if I can figure it out with the books I have.

I suppose that the spambots will probably figure it out, but I also suspect that with the plethora of easy-to-harvest email addresses already posted on the internet, they may put off the hassle of going the extra mile for at least for another year :) -- but maybe that's just wishful thinking!

Thanks! Pat