Wrong email in comment = error 404

[tru-la-la]

When a worng email address (i.e. without @) is entered in email feild in comment form error 404 appears when comment is sent. Do I miss some files?

[Dennis+]

No, you don't miss some files. It needs an email address. Part of the email address is the @ sign. If it isn't there it will block it.

Basically Pixelpost checks if the field has a value. If so, it checks if it is a real emailaddress. If the check fails the comment gets rejected.

If there isn't anything in the field Pixelpost will just skip it.

[tru-la-la]

Well, I guess then it should say, that a correct email is needed. But instead I just get error 404, without any explanation of why and if the comment was rejected. I think even if the user is worng it deserves some explanation

[Dennis+]

We choose not to disclose to much information about the reason why a comment was rejected other then an error number.

We wouldn't want spammers to adjust their techniques.

IMHO the fact that the field is designated as an emailaddress it is pretty obvious it should either contain one or none. I find it stupid to misuse this field for a phonenumber for instance.

[tru-la-la]

I see your point. My point is that when 404 error appears a normal user will assume that something is worg with site design, which obviously leaves bad impression. I think that any info on why the comment is rejected is better than 404 error, even it just says that the entered information is wrong. For instance, when comment is rejected by a spam filter it is clearly stated that it happend. Even simple redirect back to the comment page is better, in my opinion...

[Dennis+]

It should throw out an error message stating the comment was blocked by the spam measures throwing up a special error number as well.

Going back to the comment form is not an option. We throw an 404 error for a reason. Basically the spammer will think the page doesn't exists anymore and will hopefully stop targeting the site.

With a redirect the spammer can try again, and again, and again, and... you get the point.

[kristarella]

Is an incorrect email the only cause for this behaviour after trying to comment?

Someone emailed me saying this happened to them on my blog, I just want to be sure of the reason.

[Dennis+]

Yes, it is required to have an email address in there or leave it empty.

[kristarella]

Originally Posted by Dennis

Yes, it is required to have an email address in there or leave it empty.

I've seen that, what I meant was is there any other way someone would elicit this spam 404 message? For example, too many links or too many spammy words.

[Dennis+]

Yes there are multiple 404 errors in fact, all depending on your settings.

blocked on token
blocked on parent id
blocked intrusion id
Maximum number of URL
Blacklisted comment
Comments disabled
Comment invalid email