This is about a problem in another forum where some users are going crazy with multiple fake accounts. Now we have our ideas about which ones those could be, but is there a way to track back the IP or whatever else along these lines which could help find out which users made those fake accounts? For a non-admin, the admins over there exist only on paper as it seems, because there is no moderation whatsoever.
Abusing multiple Usernames in a forum - how to track back the IP?
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Unknown Soldier
Veteran
If you're a mod or admin, the forum should be able to show you the IP.
If you're a regular, speak to the admin and ask him to investigate.
US
If you're a regular, speak to the admin and ask him to investigate.
US
2008 IQ is unacceptable
Banned
I think that an admin, or even a mod should be allowed to track back an ip address, but only as long as that's one of the 1st things they make clear in the user agreement.
People can always change their ip, but that doesn't work 100% of the time.
I would guess this thread is in relation to me, but I don't know.
People can always change their ip, but that doesn't work 100% of the time.
I would guess this thread is in relation to me, but I don't know.
C'mon is not like the world is after you or such. It's just a coincidence.
As a moderator of another forum, I would say it's pretty much hopeless to try to fight it.
Even with admin cooperation, pretty much the only way to stop it would be hand approve every single new account, dynamic IPs, proxies etc make IP-tracking next to worthless
Even with admin cooperation, pretty much the only way to stop it would be hand approve every single new account, dynamic IPs, proxies etc make IP-tracking next to worthless
Any basic host worth its salt will have a basic tool to block IPs (even IP ranges). Of course this can be done as a simple edit to the htaccess file as well. Using the forum app to identify the posters IP and then you can ban them. This won't prevent those who spam through a proxy, but it is a start. If someone becomes absolutely obnoxious you can contact their ISP (a crapshoot but sometimes worth a try).
The latter does not work because several users may be behind a single firewall IP address (e.g. at a company) or (admittedly far less likely) dynamic IP addresses could mean that a second user gets assigned the same IP address as a previous registration.
2008 IQ: definitely not about you, it's in the local forum here in Germany. And as said, the admins are assumed to exist, but noone ever heard anything from them or saw them at all. It's a "closed" forum hosted by a newspaper.
One user has made several fake accounts where she does a "parody" of other users in a really stupid way and we'd like to get rid of her. We know who she is, just can't prove it.
One user has made several fake accounts where she does a "parody" of other users in a really stupid way and we'd like to get rid of her. We know who she is, just can't prove it.
Captain Chickenpants
Regular
If they have done it on one forum, chances are they have done it on others, probably using the same user names. Have a search to see where else those user names popup. You will probably recognize the posters style. You can then perhaps enlist the help of the admins on other sites.
CC
CC
If the admins are missing in action, why not start a new forum and just encourage users to migrate to it. This allows you to have new admins, ability to update the forum software as needed,.....
Yup, we did that back at RageUnderground long ago when the owner got awful and AWOL....sort of how Elite Bastards started.
We where so young back then
Hehe, you think that would work with the NY Times forum? It's very comparable, also a big newspapers online portal. Noone will move from there nor am I interested in running a forum anyway
So no solution, but whatever. Thanks everyone for comments anyway.
I wonder if they've used the same email account to register their multiple accounts too? You wouldn't need to track IP then.
You wouldnt have to. Why not post it as an thread/option on the forum and see if there is some interest in it. May be you'll get a few people that would do all the work.Hehe, you think that would work with the NY Times forum? It's very comparable, also a big newspapers online portal. Noone will move from there nor am I interested in running a forum anyway
So no solution, but whatever. Thanks everyone for comments anyway.
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