Can spambots read javascript?

trying to hide email addresses

[proboscis]

Lots of outdated info out there...so these days can javascript hide email addresses or not?

[adni18]

theoretically, anything can read email addresses, even ones in images.

[proboscis]

Well, let's say I replaced all my email addresses with this:

var username = "test";
var hostname = "example.com";
var linktext = "Send Email";
document.write("<a href=" + "mail" + "to:" + username +
"@" + hostname + ">" + linktext + "</a>")

Would I be wasting my time?

[adni18]

Nah, most bots can't read that, but if your user doesn't have javascript on, then you're out of luck.

[kaled]

Use a gif that displays the email address and a static link that simply has href="mailto:". You can use javascript to adjust the href value but if javascript is turned off, it still works but the user has to set the to: value manually.

Kaled.

[penders]

...most bots can't read that...

Must admit, I've gotten a bit paranoid these days with robots getting my email address. I have previously 'hidden' my email address with various javascript, but it only takes one clever script... and besides, they've gotten my address some how!

I tend to use just an image, and no anchors or mailto: links in sight!

I suppose you could use js that waits a second or two, after the page has loaded, before completing the <a> tags, and even then you should call another js function.... maybe.

Use a form instead!

Trust no one! :o