IP address from forum posts?

**LondonManc** · 9 May 2016, 08:46

Only admins (or whoever admin allows, based on permissions sets) can see the IP address which the post supposedly came from.

**WTFH** · 9 May 2016, 08:53

Originally posted by psychocandy View Post

Don't worry not about to stalk anyone or worried they might be stalking me (although I'm sure of you fancy me!).

Assume a forum post is associated with an ip address. With said IP address, you could work out a posters location and organisation (they've posting from).

Assume only an admin would be able to obtain such info.

Was having a chat to a mate of mine who, believe it or not, is worse than me and gets into some right barnies on a variety of forums. He asked me this and I must admit I wasn't sure.

Would seem to make sense that ordinary forum posters can't obtain this info otherwise surely you'd have people finding out info and going around commiting GBH etc. lol.

So internet techies - how does it all work?

Depending on the forum software, but most, including VBB track posts by IP address. This is only visible to the admin team and is most useful in banning spammers.

So let's say a user signs up called MarkyPhilippines and his IP address is 121.1.11.166. Then 30 seconds later another user signs up called FreddyThailiand and his IP is also 121.1.11.166. Then we get someone else later that day signing up from 121.1.11.168.
(And it could be signing up or posting).
The forum software allows admin to block either specific IP addresses, or ranges. That way when a spam company tries to flood the forum, they can just block 121.1.11.*

Equally, if a post appears advertising spam, the admin can search for all posts from that IP address (regardless of user), and decide on the actions to take.
This is also one way of spotting sockies - two users posting from the same address and when one user's address changes, so does the other. It's not 100% foolproof as you may have 10 members all working for the same ClientCo so they would have similar addresses.

**stek** · 9 May 2016, 08:54

https://geoiptool.com

**psychocandy** · 9 May 2016, 08:54

Originally posted by LondonManc View Post

Only admins (or whoever admin allows, based on permissions sets) can see the IP address which the post supposedly came from.

Thought that was the case. Of course, not that difficult to change etc.

I'm guessing though being a home user its even more difficult because it will just point to your ISP. Who would then need to check DHCP logs to ascertain IP address (have had a few "issues" with torrents where I've had letters from ISP).

Stupidest thing though IMHO is arguing the toss with people on facebook forums/groups. I mean, come on, you're name is on there. Not necessarily you're address but still it aint hard to find out.

**Troll** · 9 May 2016, 08:59

Originally posted by LondonManc View Post

Only admins (or whoever admin allows, based on permissions sets) can see the IP address which the post supposedly came from.

Fine when only Admin had the capability, but he seems to have recently shared it with his underlings who are now engaged on a sockie witch-hunt

**teapot418** · 9 May 2016, 09:01

Originally posted by psychocandy View Post

Stupidest thing though IMHO is arguing the toss with people on facebook forums/groups. I mean, come on, you're name is on there. Not necessarily you're address but still it aint hard to find out.

You seem to be working under the premise that it's OK to behave like an arse if you're anonymous?

**psychocandy** · 9 May 2016, 09:03

Originally posted by teapot418 View Post

You seem to be working under the premise that it's OK to behave like an arse if you're anonymous?

Me - behave like an arse? Never....

Half this forum that is!

**WTFH** · 9 May 2016, 09:03

Originally posted by psychocandy View Post

I'm guessing though being a home user its even more difficult because it will just point to your ISP. Who would then need to check DHCP logs to ascertain IP address (have had a few "issues" with torrents where I've had letters from ISP).

It will point to the IP address your ISP has given your connection at the time. They don't change that often - maybe once every few months depending on the ISP, or when you reboot your router.

**LondonManc** · 9 May 2016, 09:18

Originally posted by psychocandy View Post

Thought that was the case. Of course, not that difficult to change etc.

I'm guessing though being a home user its even more difficult because it will just point to your ISP. Who would then need to check DHCP logs to ascertain IP address (have had a few "issues" with torrents where I've had letters from ISP).

Stupidest thing though IMHO is arguing the toss with people on facebook forums/groups. I mean, come on, you're name is on there. Not necessarily you're address but still it aint hard to find out.

Don't forget that you need to take IP spoofing into account - the supposedly in my first reply is because I can in theory fake my IP address to make it look like I'm posting from elsewhere (the same principle that is applied to getting American Netflix content in the UK allegedly

)

Stupidest thing is upsetting braindead Liverpool fans. They take things very personally.

IP address from forum posts?