Sockie detection software

[russell]

Surley this is a trivial piece of code? You track IP addresses for every session and then match them against other users? Could be built in to the forum software so it shows a sock next to apparent culprits and a list of their sockies on their profile page.

[AtW]

What for?

We like to play with sockies. Until they break

[russell]

What for?

We like to play with sockies. Until they break

This thread was a test, those who oppose the idea have sockies!!!!!!!

[NickFitz]

OK, I'll bite

IP addresses don't work; they never really have, but these days they're a complete washout as far as tracking users is concerned.

I can very easily make three posts using three different usernames in less than thirty seconds with three different IP addresses, and two of those IP addresses I may never post from again - or they may also be used by large numbers of other posters at the same time as me:

1. Post from my laptop with a browser logged in as username A, using a mobile broadband dongle, then disconnect;
   
   
2. Post from iPhone, logged in as username B;
   
   
3. Post from my laptop with a different browser logged in as username C; after I disconnected in step 1 above, the laptop has gone back to using my WiFi connection to cable broadband.

Both 1 and 2 are going to be using DHCP addresses on the mobile operator's network, which will be routing through one of their numerous proxies. There's a good chance I'll get a different proxy next time I use either of those connections, and other users can easily be routed through a proxy I've previously used, or am using at the same time. Method 3 varies, but in my case I use Virgin cable broadband, which doesn't guarantee a fixed IP address; mine hasn't changed in over a year, but I know it was different two years ago. So even blocking that doesn't guarantee anything.

Also, most people behind a corporate firewall will appear to be coming from the same proxy. For example, a friend of mine gets Spanish ads on web sites he views from his office in Milton Keynes, due to his company routing all of Europe's web access through a proxy in Madrid.

[russell]

OK, I'll bite

IP addresses don't work; they never really have, but these days they're a complete washout as far as tracking users is concerned.

I can very easily make three posts using three different usernames in less than thirty seconds with three different IP addresses, and two of those IP addresses I may never post from again - or they may also be used by large numbers of other posters at the same time as me:

1. Post from my laptop with a browser logged in as username A, using a mobile broadband dongle, then disconnect;
   
   
2. Post from iPhone, logged in as username B;
   
   
3. Post from my laptop with a different browser logged in as username C; after I disconnected in step 1 above, the laptop has gone back to using my WiFi connection to cable broadband.

Both 1 and 2 are going to be using DHCP addresses on the mobile operator's network, which will be routing through one of their numerous proxies. There's a good chance I'll get a different proxy next time I use either of those connections, and other users can easily be routed through a proxy I've previously used, or am using at the same time. Method 3 varies, but in my case I use Virgin cable broadband, which doesn't guarantee a fixed IP address; mine hasn't changed in over a year, but I know it was different two years ago. So even blocking that doesn't guarantee anything.

Also, most people behind a corporate firewall will appear to be coming from the same proxy. For example, a friend of mine gets Spanish ads on web sites he views from his office in Milton Keynes, due to his company routing all of Europe's web access through a proxy in Madrid.

Ok

[MarillionFan]

Ok

You have just heard from the Sauron of Sockies!

[AtW]

You have just heard from the Sauron of Sockies!

It's always the quiet one, innit?

[MarillionFan]

It's always the quiet one, innit?

9 Monday Links to bind them all.

[AtW]

9 Monday Links to bind them all.

ban

[russell]

9 Monday Links to bind them all.