i did a search on the website for simple machines forum and found a spam filter that uses the data base from stopforumspam.com. we've been doing this manually the whole time. there is a download that applies the filter automatically. doh!
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
i've been checking the error and spam logs and it looks like the filter is working. all of them are being blocked. i did find one guy that slipped through, but i poofed him and he's gone for good. idiots ..........