diff --git a/ansible/runonce/db.yml b/ansible/runonce/db.yml
index 5793c38c7..f20dc5e0f 100644
--- a/ansible/runonce/db.yml
+++ b/ansible/runonce/db.yml
@@ -91,8 +91,8 @@
       - libmemcached
       - py3-mysqlclient
       - libtool
-      - autoconf-2.69p3
-      - automake-1.16.3
+      - autoconf%2.69
+      - automake%1.16
     my_cnf:
       - { init_file:  "/etc/mysql-init.sql"}
       - { bind-address:  "{{db_ip}}" }
diff --git a/ansible/runonce/docker-servers.yml b/ansible/runonce/docker-servers.yml
index 749e6e535..d580f6e73 100644
--- a/ansible/runonce/docker-servers.yml
+++ b/ansible/runonce/docker-servers.yml
@@ -151,10 +151,10 @@
 
   - name: Force /etc/network/interfaces
     ignore_errors: true
-    when: lookup('ansible.builtin.fileglob', inventory_dir+'/../files/etc_network_interfaces.j2') != []
+    when: lookup('ansible.builtin.fileglob', inventory_dir+'/../../files/etc_network_interfaces.j2') != []
     ansible.builtin.template:
-      src:  "{{inventory_dir}}/../files/etc_network_interfaces.j2"
-      dest: /etc/network/interfaces
+      src:  "{{inventory_dir}}/../../files/etc_network_interfaces.j2"
+      dest: "/etc/network/interfaces.d/{{network.driver_options.parent}}.conf"
       owner: root
       group: root
       mode: '0644'
@@ -204,9 +204,9 @@
         }
 
   - name: Configure new systemd docker overrides
-    when: lookup('ansible.builtin.fileglob', inventory_dir+'/../files/dockerd-service-override.conf') != []
+    when: lookup('ansible.builtin.fileglob', inventory_dir+'/../../files/dockerd-service-override.conf') != []
     copy:
-      src: "{{inventory_dir}}/../files/dockerd-service-override.conf"
+      src: "{{inventory_dir}}/../../files/dockerd-service-override.conf"
       dest: /etc/systemd/system/docker.service.d/
 
   - name: Reload systemd
@@ -274,9 +274,9 @@
     with_dict: "{{ containers }}"
 
   - name: Create iptables rules
-    when: lookup('ansible.builtin.fileglob', inventory_dir+'/../files/iptables_rules.v4') != []
+    when: lookup('ansible.builtin.fileglob', inventory_dir+'/../../files/iptables_rules.v4') != []
     template:
-      src:  "{{inventory_dir}}/../files/iptables_rules.v4"
+      src:  "{{inventory_dir}}/../../files/iptables_rules.v4"
       dest: /etc/iptables/rules.v4
 
   - name: Disable IPv6 (needs restart)
@@ -364,9 +364,9 @@
       - pm2
 
   - name: Copy local ctables
-    when: lookup('ansible.builtin.fileglob', inventory_dir+'/../files/ctables') != []
+    when: lookup('ansible.builtin.fileglob', inventory_dir+'/../../files/ctables') != []
     copy:
-      src:  "{{inventory_dir}}/../files/ctables"
+      src:  "{{inventory_dir}}/../../files/ctables"
       dest: /usr/local/bin/ctables
       owner: root
       group: root
diff --git a/ansible/runonce/includes/chroot_env.yml b/ansible/runonce/includes/chroot_env.yml
index 6b66a520d..67d5b443d 100644
--- a/ansible/runonce/includes/chroot_env.yml
+++ b/ansible/runonce/includes/chroot_env.yml
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ CHROOT_ENV:
 - "/usr/lib/libc++abi.so.*"
 - "/usr/lib/libm.so.*"
 - "/usr/lib/libssl.so.*"
-- "/usr/local/share/icu/70.1/icudt*l.dat"
+- "/usr/local/share/icu/72.1/icudt*l.dat"
 - "/usr/local/lib/libmemcached.so.*"
 - "/usr/local/lib/libintl.so.*"
 - "/usr/local/lib/libonig.so.*"
diff --git a/ansible/runonce/mui.yml b/ansible/runonce/mui.yml
index 81017bc93..ee32a3370 100644
--- a/ansible/runonce/mui.yml
+++ b/ansible/runonce/mui.yml
@@ -95,8 +95,8 @@
       - libmemcached
       - py3-mysqlclient
       - libtool
-      - autoconf-2.69p3
-      - automake-1.16.3
+      - autoconf%2.69
+      - automake%1.16
       - pecl74-memcached
       - nginx
       - php-gd%7.4
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@
       - usr/bin
       - usr/libexec
       - usr/local/lib
-      - usr/local/share/icu/69.1
+      - usr/local/share/icu/72.1
       - usr/lib
 
   - name: "Copy pf conf files"
@@ -398,7 +398,7 @@
       - "mkdir -p /home/moderatorUI/{{domain_name}}/backend/web/assets"
       - "chown -R moderatorUI /home/moderatorUI/{{domain_name}}/backend/web/assets"
       - "mkdir -p /var/log/cron"
-      - "ln -s /home/moderatorUI/{{domain_name}}/backend/yii /usr/local/bin/backend"
+      - "ln -sf /home/moderatorUI/{{domain_name}}/backend/yii /usr/local/bin/backend"
 
   - name: configure moderator rc.d
     command: rcctl {{item}}
diff --git a/ansible/runonce/pui.yml b/ansible/runonce/pui.yml
index d4b29f8ae..c2f72fa76 100644
--- a/ansible/runonce/pui.yml
+++ b/ansible/runonce/pui.yml
@@ -90,8 +90,8 @@
       - { name: mysqld, state: "disable" }
       - { name: memcached, state: "disable" }
     packages:
-      - autoconf-2.69p3
-      - automake-1.16.3
+      - autoconf%2.69
+      - automake%1.16
       - curl
       - git
       - libmemcached
@@ -105,6 +105,7 @@
       - php-pdo_mysql%7.4
       - php-zip%7.4
       - certbot
+      - py3-pip
       - py3-requests
       - py3-mysqlclient
   tasks:
@@ -185,7 +186,7 @@
       name: "{{packages}}"
 
   - name: Install lexicon (raw)
-    raw: pip install lexicon
+    raw: pip3 install lexicon
 
   - name: Install composer
     get_url:
@@ -253,7 +254,7 @@
       - usr/bin
       - usr/libexec
       - usr/local/lib
-      - usr/local/share/icu/69.1
+      - usr/local/share/icu/72.1
       - usr/lib
 
   - name: "Copy pf conf files"
@@ -429,7 +430,7 @@
       - mkdir -p /var/log/cron
       - chown -R participantUI /home/participantUI/{{domain_name}}/frontend/web/assets
       - chown -R participantUI /home/participantUI/{{domain_name}}/frontend/web/images/avatars/
-      - ln -s /home/participantUI/{{domain_name}}/frontend/yii /usr/local/bin/frontend
+      - ln -sf /home/participantUI/{{domain_name}}/frontend/yii /usr/local/bin/frontend
 
   - name: configure participant rc.d
     command: rcctl {{item}}
@@ -466,7 +467,7 @@
     when: GITHUB_OAUTH_TOKEN is defined and GITHUB_OAUTH_TOKEN!=""
 
   - name: run composer
-    command: chdir=/home/participantUI/{{domain_name}}/frontend php -d allow_url_fopen=on /usr/local/bin/composer install -n --no-dev --prefer-dist --no-progress --no-suggest
+    command: chdir=/home/participantUI/{{domain_name}}/frontend php -d allow_url_fopen=on /usr/local/bin/composer install -n --no-dev --prefer-dist --no-progress
 
   - name: Fix home folder permissions for nginx
     command: chown root.daemon /home/participantUI
@@ -528,14 +529,14 @@
 
   - name: Install renewal policy for letsencrypt
     ini_file:
-        path: "/etc/letsencrypt/renewal/{{domain_name}}.conf"
-        section: renewalparams
-        option: "{{item.key}}"
-        value: "{{item.value}}"
+      path: "/etc/letsencrypt/renewal/{{domain_name}}.conf"
+      section: renewalparams
+      option: "{{item.key}}"
+      value: "{{item.value}}"
     with_items:
-      manual_auth_hook: /etc/letsencrypt/lexicon-vultr.sh create
-      manual_cleanup_hook: /etc/letsencrypt/lexicon-vultr.sh delete
-      post_hook: /etc/nginx/install_renewed_cert.sh
+      - { key: manual_auth_hook, value: "/etc/letsencrypt/lexicon-vultr.sh create" }
+      - { key: manual_cleanup_hook, value: "/etc/letsencrypt/lexicon-vultr.sh delete" }
+      - { key: post_hook, value: "/etc/nginx/install_renewed_cert.sh" }
 
   - name: Execute fw_update
     command: fw_update -a
diff --git a/backend/commands/PlayerController.php b/backend/commands/PlayerController.php
index 2d1a0d127..74e067ce3 100644
--- a/backend/commands/PlayerController.php
+++ b/backend/commands/PlayerController.php
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ public function actionPendingAvatars($full=false)
   /**
    * Check mails for known spammers.
    */
-  public function actionCheckStopforumspam($interval=null)
+  public function actionCheckStopforumspam($interval=null,$confidence=90)
   {
     $players=Player::find();
     if($interval!==null)
@@ -307,7 +307,7 @@ public function actionCheckStopforumspam($interval=null)
       $SFS->email=$p->email;
       $result=$SFS->check();
       $retData=json_decode($result)->email;
-      if(property_exists($retData,'confidence') && $retData->confidence>0)
+      if(property_exists($retData,'confidence') && $retData->confidence>=intval($confidence))
       {
         printf("Banning %d: %s %d %d => %s\n",$p->id,$p->email,$p->active,$p->status,floatval($retData->confidence));
         $p->ban();
@@ -322,25 +322,30 @@ public function actionCheckStopforumspam($interval=null)
   public function actionCheckSpammy($domains=false)
   {
     $skip_domains=[];
-    $players=Player::find()->select(["right(email, length(email)-INSTR(email, '@')) as email"])->distinct();
+    $players=Player::find()->select(["SUBSTRING_INDEX(email,'@',-1) as email"])->distinct();
     foreach($skip_domains as $d)
       $players->andWhere(['not like','email', $d]);
       echo "Found ",$players->count()," distinct domains.\n";
     foreach($players->all() as $p)
     {
       try{
-      $DNS_NS=dns_get_record($p->email, DNS_NS);
-      $DNS_MX=dns_get_record($p->email, DNS_MX);
-      $DNS_A=dns_get_record($p->email, DNS_A);
+        $DNS_NS=dns_get_record($p->email, DNS_NS);
+        $DNS_MX=dns_get_record($p->email, DNS_MX);
+        $DNS_A=dns_get_record($p->email, DNS_A);
       }
       catch(\Exception $e)
       {
-        echo "Failed to resolve [",$p->email,"]",$e->getMessage(),"\n";
+        echo "Error: Failed to resolve [",$p->email,"]",$e->getMessage(),"\n";
       }
       if($DNS_NS===[] && $DNS_MX===[])
       {
         echo "Domain[",$p->email,"] has empty MX & NS records\n";
       }
+      $validator = new \app\components\validators\MXServersValidator();
+      $validator->mxonly=true;
+      if (!$validator->validate($p->email, $error)) {
+        echo "Domain[",$p->email,"] MX Validator error\n";
+      }
     }
   }
 
@@ -372,7 +377,7 @@ public function actionCheckDupips($skip_uids=false)
 
   public function actionFailValidation($delete=false)
   {
-    $allRecords=Player::find()->all();
+    $allRecords=Player::find()->active()->all();
     foreach($allRecords as $p)
     {
         $p->scenario='validator';
diff --git a/backend/components/Mailer.php b/backend/components/Mailer.php
index dd76e2978..592da4970 100644
--- a/backend/components/Mailer.php
+++ b/backend/components/Mailer.php
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ public function init()
 
     if(Yii::$app->sys->mail_port !== false)
     {
-      $config['port']=Yii::$app->sys->mail_port;
+      $config['port']=intval(Yii::$app->sys->mail_port);
     }
 
     if(Yii::$app->sys->mail_username !== false)
diff --git a/backend/components/validators/HourRegistrationValidator.php b/backend/components/validators/HourRegistrationValidator.php
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..052381ca0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/components/validators/HourRegistrationValidator.php
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+<?php
+/**
+ * Check memcache key for registrations performed by this IP.
+ */
+namespace app\components\validators;
+
+use yii\validators\Validator;
+use yii\helpers\ArrayHelper;
+
+class HourRegistrationValidator extends Validator
+{
+    public $max=3;
+    public $message;
+    public $counter;
+    public $client_ip;
+    public function init()
+    {
+        $this->message=\Yii::t('app',"You reached your maximum registrations for this hour!");
+        if(!$this->counter)
+          $this->counter=intval(\Yii::$app->cache->memcache->get('registeredip:'.$this->client_ip));
+        parent::init();
+    }
+    public function validateValue($value)
+    {
+      if (\Yii::$app->sys->signup_HourRegistrationValidator!==false && intval($this->counter)>=$this->max)
+      {
+        return [$this->message, [
+            'signup_ip' => $value,
+        ]];
+      }
+
+    }
+    public function validateAttribute($model, $attribute)
+    {
+        $value = $model->$attribute;
+        if(\Yii::$app->sys->signup_HourRegistrationValidator!==false && intval($this->counter)>=$this->max)
+        {
+            $model->addError($attribute, $this->message);
+        }
+    }
+
+    public function clientValidateAttribute($model, $attribute, $view)
+    {
+        if(\Yii::$app->sys->signup_HourRegistrationValidator!==false)
+        {
+            $message = json_encode($this->message, JSON_UNESCAPED_SLASHES | JSON_UNESCAPED_UNICODE);
+            return <<<JS
+if ({$this->counter}>={$this->max}) {
+    messages.push($message);
+    return false;
+}
+JS;
+
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/backend/components/validators/LowerRangeValidator copy.php b/backend/components/validators/LowerRangeValidator copy.php
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6d4ea6f82
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/components/validators/LowerRangeValidator copy.php	
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+<?php
+/**
+ * @link http://www.yiiframework.com/
+ * @copyright Copyright (c) 2008 Yii Software LLC
+ * @license http://www.yiiframework.com/license/
+ */
+
+namespace app\components\validators;
+
+use Yii;
+use yii\base\InvalidConfigException;
+use yii\helpers\ArrayHelper;
+use yii\validators\ValidationAsset;
+/**
+ * RangeValidator validates that the attribute value is among a list of values.
+ *
+ * The range can be specified via the [[range]] property.
+ * If the [[not]] property is set true, the validator will ensure the attribute value
+ * is NOT among the specified range.
+ *
+ * @author Qiang Xue <qiang.xue@gmail.com>
+ * @since 2.0
+ */
+class LowerRangeValidator extends \yii\validators\RangeValidator
+{
+    /**
+     * @var array|\Traversable|\Closure $range
+     */
+    public $range;
+    /**
+     * @var bool whether the comparison is strict (both type and value must be the same)
+     */
+    public $strict=false;
+    /**
+     * @var bool whether to invert the validation logic. Defaults to false. If set to true,
+     * the attribute value should NOT be among the list of values defined via [[range]].
+     */
+    public $not=false;
+    /**
+     * @var bool whether to allow array type attribute.
+     */
+    public $allowArray=false;
+
+
+    /**
+     * {@inheritdoc}
+     */
+    public function init()
+    {
+        parent::init();
+        if($this->message === null)
+        {
+            $this->message=Yii::t('yii', '{attribute} is invalid.');
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * {@inheritdoc}
+     */
+    protected function validateValue($value)
+    {
+        $in=false;
+
+        if(ArrayHelper::isIn(mb_strtolower($value), (array) $this->range, $this->strict))
+        {
+            $in=true;
+        }
+        return $this->not !== $in ? null : [$this->message, []];
+    }
+}
diff --git a/backend/components/validators/MXServersValidator.php b/backend/components/validators/MXServersValidator.php
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e876f53fb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/components/validators/MXServersValidator.php
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+<?php
+/**
+ * Check email address MX Records for denied servers.
+ */
+namespace app\components\validators;
+
+use yii\validators\Validator;
+use yii\helpers\ArrayHelper;
+
+class MXServersValidator extends Validator
+{
+    public $range;
+    public $banned_message="Sorry but you are using an email server that is banned!";
+    public $nxmessage="Sorry but you are using a domain that does not exist!";
+    public $mxonly=false;
+    public function init()
+    {
+        parent::init();
+        if(!$this->range)
+        {
+          $this->range=ArrayHelper::getColumn(\app\modelscli\BannedMxServer::find()->select('name')->asArray()->all(),'name');
+        }
+    }
+
+    public function validateValue($value)
+    {
+      // if not email assume value is a domain
+      if (preg_match('/^(?P<name>(?:"?([^"]*)"?\s)?)(?:\s+)?(?:(?P<open><?)((?P<local>.+)@(?P<domain>[^>]+))(?P<close>>?))$/i', $value, $matches))
+      {
+        $value=$matches['domain'];
+      }
+
+      if(getmxrr($value, $hosts)===false && $this->mxonly===false)
+      {
+        return [$this->nxmessage, [
+            'domain' => $value,
+        ]];
+      }
+
+      foreach($this->range as $key)
+      {
+        if(array_search($key, $hosts)!==false)
+          return [$this->banned_message, [
+              'domain' => $value,
+          ]];
+      }
+    }
+
+    public function validateAttribute($model, $attribute)
+    {
+        $value = $model->$attribute;
+        $hosts=[];
+        // if not email assume value is a domain
+        if (preg_match('/^(?P<name>(?:"?([^"]*)"?\s)?)(?:\s+)?(?:(?P<open><?)((?P<local>.+)@(?P<domain>[^>]+))(?P<close>>?))$/i', $value, $matches))
+        {
+          $value=$matches['domain'];
+        }
+
+        if(getmxrr($value, $hosts)===false && $this->mxonly===false)
+        {
+          $model->addError($attribute, $this->nxmessage);
+          return;
+        }
+
+        foreach($this->range as $key)
+        {
+          if(array_search($key, $hosts)!==false)
+          {
+            $model->addError($attribute, $this->banned_message);
+            return;
+          }
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/backend/components/validators/StopForumSpamValidator.php b/backend/components/validators/StopForumSpamValidator.php
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6de6e0430
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/components/validators/StopForumSpamValidator.php
@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+<?php
+/**
+ * Check memcache key for registrations performed by this IP.
+ */
+namespace app\components\validators;
+
+use yii\validators\Validator;
+use yii\helpers\ArrayHelper;
+
+class StopForumSpamValidator extends Validator
+{
+    public $url = 'http://api.stopforumspam.org/api';
+    public $message="SP: Spam email detected, sorry!";
+    public $max=80;
+
+    public function init()
+    {
+        parent::init();
+    }
+    public function validateValue($value)
+    {
+      if(\Yii::$app->sys->signup_StopForumSpamValidator===false)
+        return;
+      $data = array(
+          'email' => $value,
+          'json'=>'',
+          'confidence'=>'80',
+      );
+
+      $data = http_build_query($data);
+
+      // init the request, set some info, send it and finally close it
+      $ch = curl_init($this->url);
+
+      curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, 1);
+      curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, $data);
+      curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
+      curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_TIMEOUT, 40);
+
+      try
+      {
+        $result = curl_exec($ch);
+        curl_close($ch);
+        $retData=json_decode($result)->email;
+        if(property_exists($retData,'confidence') && $retData->confidence>$this->max)
+          throw new \yii\base\UserException('StopForumSpamValidator null');
+      }
+      catch(\Exception $e)
+      {
+        if(curl_errno($ch)===0)
+          return [$this->message, [
+              'email' => $value,
+          ]];
+      }
+    }
+    public function validateAttribute($model, $attribute)
+    {
+      if(\Yii::$app->sys->signup_StopForumSpamValidator===false)
+        return;
+        $value = $model->$attribute;
+        $data = array(
+            'email' => $value,
+            'json'=>'',
+            'confidence'=>'',
+        );
+
+        $data = http_build_query($data);
+
+        // init the request, set some info, send it and finally close it
+        $ch = curl_init($this->url);
+
+        curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, 1);
+        curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, $data);
+        curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
+        curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_TIMEOUT, 40);
+
+        try
+        {
+          $result = curl_exec($ch);
+          curl_close($ch);
+          $retData=json_decode($result)->email;
+          if(property_exists($retData,'confidence') && $retData->confidence>$this->max)
+            throw new \yii\base\UserException('StopForumSpamValidator null');
+        }
+        catch(\Exception $e)
+        {
+          if(curl_errno($ch)===0)
+            $model->addError($attribute, $this->message);
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/backend/components/validators/TotalRegistrationsValidator.php b/backend/components/validators/TotalRegistrationsValidator.php
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..58c8e5de3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/components/validators/TotalRegistrationsValidator.php
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+<?php
+/**
+ * Check MySQL IP counter.
+ */
+namespace app\components\validators;
+
+use yii\validators\Validator;
+use yii\helpers\ArrayHelper;
+
+class TotalRegistrationsValidator extends Validator
+{
+    public $max=10;
+    public $message="You reached your maximum registrations for this IP!";
+    public $counter;
+    public $client_ip;
+    public function init()
+    {
+        if(!$this->counter)
+          $this->counter=\Yii::$app->db
+              ->createCommand('SELECT count(*) FROM player_last WHERE signup_ip=:player_ip')
+              ->bindValue(':player_ip',ip2long($this->client_ip))
+              ->queryScalar();
+        parent::init();
+    }
+    public function validateValue($value)
+    {
+      if (\Yii::$app->sys->signup_TotalRegistrationsValidator!==false && intval($this->counter)>=$this->max)
+      {
+        return [$this->message, [
+            'username' => $value,
+        ]];
+      }
+    }
+    public function validateAttribute($model, $attribute)
+    {
+        $value = $model->$attribute;
+        if (\Yii::$app->sys->signup_TotalRegistrationsValidator!==false && intval($this->counter)>=$this->max)
+        {
+            $model->addError($attribute, $this->message);
+        }
+    }
+
+    public function clientValidateAttribute($model, $attribute, $view)
+    {
+      if(\Yii::$app->sys->signup_TotalRegistrationsValidator!==false)
+      {
+        $message = json_encode($this->message, JSON_UNESCAPED_SLASHES | JSON_UNESCAPED_UNICODE);
+        return <<<JS
+if ({$this->counter}>={$this->max}) {
+    messages.push($message);
+    return false;
+}
+JS;
+      }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/backend/components/validators/WhoisValidator.php b/backend/components/validators/WhoisValidator.php
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2cbe0ff58
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/components/validators/WhoisValidator.php
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+<?php
+/**
+ * Check memcache key for registrations performed by this IP.
+ */
+namespace app\components\validators;
+
+use yii\validators\Validator;
+use yii\helpers\ArrayHelper;
+
+class WhoisValidator extends Validator
+{
+    public $message="Domain validation error.";
+
+    public function init()
+    {
+        parent::init();
+    }
+    public function validateValue($value)
+    {
+      // if not email assume value is a domain
+      if (preg_match('/^(?P<name>(?:"?([^"]*)"?\s)?)(?:\s+)?(?:(?P<open><?)((?P<local>.+)@(?P<domain>[^>]+))(?P<close>>?))$/i', $value, $matches))
+      {
+        $value=$matches['domain'];
+      }
+      $domain = new \overals\whois\Whois($value);
+      if ($domain->isAvailable())
+      {
+        return [$this->message, [
+            'username' => $value,
+        ]];
+      }
+    }
+    public function validateAttribute($model, $attribute)
+    {
+        $value = $model->$attribute;
+        if (preg_match('/^(?P<name>(?:"?([^"]*)"?\s)?)(?:\s+)?(?:(?P<open><?)((?P<local>.+)@(?P<domain>[^>]+))(?P<close>>?))$/i', $value, $matches))
+        {
+          $value=$matches['domain'];
+        }
+        $domain = new \overals\whois\Whois($matches['domain']);
+        if ($domain->isAvailable())
+        {
+            $model->addError($attribute, $this->message);
+        }
+    }
+
+}
diff --git a/backend/modules/frontend/actions/player/MailAction.php b/backend/modules/frontend/actions/player/MailAction.php
index 11a2e5a82..5974134e6 100644
--- a/backend/modules/frontend/actions/player/MailAction.php
+++ b/backend/modules/frontend/actions/player/MailAction.php
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ public function run(int $id, $baseURL="https://echoctf.red/activate/")
         }
         catch(\Exception $e)
         {
-          \Yii::$app->getSession()->setFlash('error', Yii::t('app','Failed to mail player. {exception}',['exceptions'=>Html::encode($e->getMessage())]));
+          \Yii::$app->getSession()->setFlash('error', Yii::t('app','Failed to mail player. {exception}',['exception'=>Html::encode($e->getMessage())]));
         }
     }
     elseif($player->status==0)
diff --git a/backend/modules/frontend/models/PlayerAR.php b/backend/modules/frontend/models/PlayerAR.php
index ff55dcffe..be1a71e60 100644
--- a/backend/modules/frontend/models/PlayerAR.php
+++ b/backend/modules/frontend/models/PlayerAR.php
@@ -131,6 +131,9 @@ public function rules()
               if($this->{$attribute}!==null && $this->active===1 && $this->status=10)
                 $this->addError($attribute, '{attribute} must be empty when player active.');
             },'on'=>'validator'],
+            //['email', 'email','checkDNS'=>true,'on'=>'validator','message'=>'This domain does not resolve.'],
+            //['email',    '\app\components\validators\StopForumSpamValidator',       'max'=>Yii::$app->sys->signup_StopForumSpamValidator,'when' => function($model) { return Yii::$app->sys->signup_StopForumSpamValidator!==false;},'on'=>'validator'],
+            ['email',   '\app\components\validators\MXServersValidator', 'mxonly'=>true,            'when' => function($model) { return Yii::$app->sys->signup_MXServersValidator!==false;},'on'=>'validator'],
 
         ];
     }
diff --git a/backend/modules/gameplay/views/finding/_form.php b/backend/modules/gameplay/views/finding/_form.php
index e027832b8..1e9da7890 100644
--- a/backend/modules/gameplay/views/finding/_form.php
+++ b/backend/modules/gameplay/views/finding/_form.php
@@ -28,8 +28,8 @@
 
     <?= $form->field($model, 'protocol')->dropDownList(['icmp' => 'ICMP', 'tcp' => 'TCP', 'udp' => 'UDP', ], ['prompt' => 'Choose the protocol of the finding']) ?>
 
-    <?= $form->field($model, 'target_id')->dropDownList(ArrayHelper::map(Target::find()->all(), 'id', function($model) {
-        return sprintf("(id:%d) %s/%s", $model['id'], $model['fqdn'], $model['ipoctet']);}), ['prompt'=>'Select the target'])->Label('Target') ?>
+    <?= $form->field($model, 'target_id')->dropDownList(ArrayHelper::map(Target::find()->orderBy(['fqdn'=>SORT_ASC])->all(), 'id', function($model) {
+        return sprintf("%s/%s", $model['fqdn'], $model['ipoctet']);}), ['prompt'=>'Select the target'])->Label('Target') ?>
 
     <?= $form->field($model, 'port')->textInput()->hint('The port where the service listens to (use 0 for icmp)') ?>
 
diff --git a/frontend/components/validators/MXServersValidator.php b/frontend/components/validators/MXServersValidator.php
index 426ae3bbd..e876f53fb 100644
--- a/frontend/components/validators/MXServersValidator.php
+++ b/frontend/components/validators/MXServersValidator.php
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ class MXServersValidator extends Validator
     public $range;
     public $banned_message="Sorry but you are using an email server that is banned!";
     public $nxmessage="Sorry but you are using a domain that does not exist!";
-
+    public $mxonly=false;
     public function init()
     {
         parent::init();
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ public function validateValue($value)
         $value=$matches['domain'];
       }
 
-      if(getmxrr($value, $hosts)===false)
+      if(getmxrr($value, $hosts)===false && $this->mxonly===false)
       {
         return [$this->nxmessage, [
             'domain' => $value,
@@ -49,21 +49,26 @@ public function validateValue($value)
     public function validateAttribute($model, $attribute)
     {
         $value = $model->$attribute;
+        $hosts=[];
         // if not email assume value is a domain
         if (preg_match('/^(?P<name>(?:"?([^"]*)"?\s)?)(?:\s+)?(?:(?P<open><?)((?P<local>.+)@(?P<domain>[^>]+))(?P<close>>?))$/i', $value, $matches))
         {
           $value=$matches['domain'];
         }
 
-        if(!getmxrr($value, $hosts))
+        if(getmxrr($value, $hosts)===false && $this->mxonly===false)
         {
           $model->addError($attribute, $this->nxmessage);
+          return;
         }
 
         foreach($this->range as $key)
         {
           if(array_search($key, $hosts)!==false)
+          {
             $model->addError($attribute, $this->banned_message);
+            return;
+          }
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/frontend/components/validators/StopForumSpamValidator.php b/frontend/components/validators/StopForumSpamValidator.php
index d137abc16..6de6e0430 100644
--- a/frontend/components/validators/StopForumSpamValidator.php
+++ b/frontend/components/validators/StopForumSpamValidator.php
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ public function validateValue($value)
       curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, 1);
       curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, $data);
       curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
+      curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_TIMEOUT, 40);
 
       try
       {
@@ -46,9 +47,10 @@ public function validateValue($value)
       }
       catch(\Exception $e)
       {
-        return [$this->message, [
-            'email' => $value,
-        ]];
+        if(curl_errno($ch)===0)
+          return [$this->message, [
+              'email' => $value,
+          ]];
       }
     }
     public function validateAttribute($model, $attribute)
@@ -70,6 +72,7 @@ public function validateAttribute($model, $attribute)
         curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, 1);
         curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, $data);
         curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
+        curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_TIMEOUT, 40);
 
         try
         {
@@ -81,6 +84,7 @@ public function validateAttribute($model, $attribute)
         }
         catch(\Exception $e)
         {
+          if(curl_errno($ch)===0)
             $model->addError($attribute, $this->message);
         }
     }
diff --git a/frontend/models/Player.php b/frontend/models/Player.php
index d13542188..84d3a6522 100644
--- a/frontend/models/Player.php
+++ b/frontend/models/Player.php
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ public function getIsAdmin():bool
    */
   public function getIsVip():bool
   {
-    if($this->isAdmin || Yii::$app->sys->all_players_vip===true || $this->subscription!==null && $this->subscription->active>0)
+    if($this->isAdmin || Yii::$app->sys->all_players_vip===true || ($this->subscription!==null && $this->subscription->active>0))
       return true;
     return false;
   }
diff --git a/frontend/models/forms/SettingsForm.php b/frontend/models/forms/SettingsForm.php
index f10b69847..70796b511 100644
--- a/frontend/models/forms/SettingsForm.php
+++ b/frontend/models/forms/SettingsForm.php
@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ public function rules()
 
           /* email field rules */
           [['email'], 'trim'],
+          ['email', 'email','checkDNS'=>true],
           [['email'], 'string', 'max'=>255],
           [['email'], 'email'],
           ['email', 'unique', 'targetClass' => '\app\models\Player', 'message' => \Yii::t('app','This email has already been taken.'), 'when' => function($model, $attribute) {
@@ -83,7 +84,7 @@ public function rules()
                 $this->addError($attribute, \Yii::t('app','This email is banned.'));
           }],
           ['email', '\app\components\validators\StopForumSpamValidator', 'max'=>intval(Yii::$app->sys->signup_StopForumSpamValidator),'when' => function($model) { return Yii::$app->sys->signup_StopForumSpamValidator!==false;}],
-          ['email', '\app\components\validators\MXServersValidator', 'when' => function($model) { return Yii::$app->sys->signup_MXServersValidator!==false;}],
+          ['email', '\app\components\validators\MXServersValidator',  'mxonly'=>true, 'when' => function($model) { return Yii::$app->sys->signup_MXServersValidator!==false;}],
 
 
           /* username field rules */
diff --git a/frontend/models/forms/SignupForm.php b/frontend/models/forms/SignupForm.php
index e82955a52..e83023a5a 100644
--- a/frontend/models/forms/SignupForm.php
+++ b/frontend/models/forms/SignupForm.php
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ public function rules()
             ['username', '\app\components\validators\HourRegistrationValidator',    'client_ip'=>\Yii::$app->request->userIp, 'max'=>Yii::$app->sys->signup_HourRegistrationValidator,'when' => function($model) { return Yii::$app->sys->signup_HourRegistrationValidator!==false;}],
             ['username', '\app\components\validators\TotalRegistrationsValidator',  'client_ip'=>\Yii::$app->request->userIp, 'max'=>Yii::$app->sys->signup_TotalRegistrationsValidator,'when' => function($model) { return Yii::$app->sys->signup_TotalRegistrationsValidator!==false;}],
             ['email',    '\app\components\validators\StopForumSpamValidator',       'max'=>Yii::$app->sys->signup_StopForumSpamValidator,'when' => function($model) { return Yii::$app->sys->signup_StopForumSpamValidator!==false;}],
-            ['email',   '\app\components\validators\MXServersValidator',            'when' => function($model) { return Yii::$app->sys->signup_MXServersValidator!==false;}],
+            ['email',   '\app\components\validators\MXServersValidator',  'mxonly'=>true,           'when' => function($model) { return Yii::$app->sys->signup_MXServersValidator!==false;}],
             //['email', '\app\components\validators\WhoisValidator', ],
 
             ['captcha', 'captcha'],
diff --git a/frontend/modules/subscription/Module.php b/frontend/modules/subscription/Module.php
index 0a2133025..8a07d0a2d 100644
--- a/frontend/modules/subscription/Module.php
+++ b/frontend/modules/subscription/Module.php
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ public function getExpires()
 
     public function getIsActive()
     {
-      if(intval(\app\modules\subscription\models\PlayerSubscription::find()->me()->active()->notExpired()->count())>0)
+      if(intval(\app\modules\subscription\models\PlayerSubscription::find()->me()->active()->notExpired()->count())>0 || \Yii::$app->sys->all_players_vip===true)
       {
         return true;
       }