The WP-SpamFree plugin for WordPress seems to be much better than Akismet at blocking spam bots. It uses a simple method to block automated scripts (bots); i.e., it uses a combination of cookies and JavaScript to detect them. I installed it just last night, and I received only one comment spam so far which Akismet caught. So it looks like it’s working fairly well. 
Related Posts:
- Let Spam in for a Day
- Reduction in SPAM
- Re-Installed SuperCache
- GMail Spam Filter Down?
- Social Bookmarks
It doesn’t work for trackbacks and pingbacks, though, because they are sent from other sites without touching the comments page.
Ooh!! I shall check this out when I get back from Montreal. Akismet has been doing well so far but lately I have been receiving some spam at Miss.IvyTan.Net (not that it matters anymore).
Thanks for the tip!