Bad Behavior

So I finally got sick of some of the stuff that gets through my blog comment spam filter, especially empty comments that I presume are probing for the ability to spam (although I will say that in general, Akismet does a lovely job overall). Since the spamming losers also cost me bandwidth, I installed the Bad Behavior WordPress plugin today, and in the past 30 minutes or so, it’s blocked 4 attempts to access my blog.

Now, I wouldn’t normally post about this – I tend not to post configuration details for obvious reasons – but given that the plugin is already catching a bunch of traffic, I want to make sure it’s not catching anyone it shouldn’t. If you were mistakenly caught in the Bad Behavior filter, not only will you get a 403 page, but you will get one with a message as to why you were caught there as well as a means to resolve the situation yourself. Feel free to leave a comment here if you’re being repeatedly blocked for no apparent reason and you aren’t some sort of sucky, evil spammer. I will fix what can and should be fixed. (Obviously, to even read this message, you would have had to use the fix proposed on the error page or e-mail me, so if no one contacts me or uses that fix, I’ll never know… c’est la vie)

On the other hand, if you get a 403 error without information about why you were blocked as well as the means to fix it yourself, it is likely, you know, on purpose. As in you’re either trying to access something you’re not allowed to, or you’re not welcome here. Consider this latter version of the 403 error as a not-at-all subtle hint to stay the Hell out of my sandbox and get on with your life Don’t worry – if I haven’t already dropped this hint to you personally, you don’t fall into this latter group. I loves my readers. Just, well, not in that way. Except for that one German guy who reads it, but he’s married to me.

Anyhow, do let me know if you’re a legitimate user and there are problems.