public static function get_protector($options = null)
    {
        // generate the spam protector
        if (isset($options['protector'])) {
            $protector = $options['protector'];
        } else {
            $protector = self::config()->get('default_spam_protector');
        }

        if ($protector && class_exists($protector)) {
            return Injector::inst()->create($protector);
        } else {
            return null;
        }
    }