I’ve been picking through my server log files and I noticed that I have an unintended comment spam deflector. The most popular page on this blog is the Tango Smileys Extended page, and has become a target for increased spam. However, most of the spam is not making it through!

I use Akismet to block spam, but even Akismet isn’t needed to stop most of spam.

What is the spam deflector?

The TSE shorthand box!

It’s a valid textarea, which spambots target, with the big exception that it’s not part of my comment form! Most people don’t use forms or textareas in their posts, so spambots only have to look for the one textarea that exists on any page or post. Unfortunately for them, I have two textareas on that page, so the spambot goes for the first textarea and fails!!!

Ha!