Forums, members and IP addresses?
Discussion
How does a forum recognise if a previously expelled member has created another account? Is it all to do with IP addresses?
On another forum I use, my account has been locked and they seem to have changed my password so I can't log in.
This was most likely because I disagreed with a moderators post. There was nothing offensive, abusive or insulting in what I said, I simply stated that I disagreed. The forum is known for its heavy and bullying moderating sytyle. Other members have also had log in access denied.
Anyway, I would like to regain access to retrieve some photos I posted relating to a plumbing repair I did, and was wondering if I created a new account using a different email address etc, would they recognise me via my IP address or are there other methods they use?
On another forum I use, my account has been locked and they seem to have changed my password so I can't log in.
This was most likely because I disagreed with a moderators post. There was nothing offensive, abusive or insulting in what I said, I simply stated that I disagreed. The forum is known for its heavy and bullying moderating sytyle. Other members have also had log in access denied.
Anyway, I would like to regain access to retrieve some photos I posted relating to a plumbing repair I did, and was wondering if I created a new account using a different email address etc, would they recognise me via my IP address or are there other methods they use?
LeadFarmer said:
How does a forum recognise if a previously expelled member has created another account? Is it all to do with IP addresses?
On another forum I use, my account has been locked and they seem to have changed my password so I can't log in.
This was most likely because I disagreed with a moderators post. There was nothing offensive, abusive or insulting in what I said, I simply stated that I disagreed. The forum is known for its heavy and bullying moderating sytyle. Other members have also had log in access denied.
Anyway, I would like to regain access to retrieve some photos I posted relating to a plumbing repair I did, and was wondering if I created a new account using a different email address etc, would they recognise me via my IP address or are there other methods they use?
On another forum I use, my account has been locked and they seem to have changed my password so I can't log in.
This was most likely because I disagreed with a moderators post. There was nothing offensive, abusive or insulting in what I said, I simply stated that I disagreed. The forum is known for its heavy and bullying moderating sytyle. Other members have also had log in access denied.
Anyway, I would like to regain access to retrieve some photos I posted relating to a plumbing repair I did, and was wondering if I created a new account using a different email address etc, would they recognise me via my IP address or are there other methods they use?
Can’t you just look up the threads you posted on? You don’t need an account to browse.
talksthetorque said:
Can’t you just look up the threads you posted on? You don’t need an account to browse.
Another thought is my personal information, address, email address etc. I can't even delete my account as I can't log in to do so.
You most likely need to log in if you wish to access your account or delete something.
Neither of us have answered OP's question though. Whoever does answer this OP is either a PH Mod or a banned returnee, and we know who the Mods are.
Edited to say I see I have repeated what you have just said.
Neither of us have answered OP's question though. Whoever does answer this OP is either a PH Mod or a banned returnee, and we know who the Mods are.
Edited to say I see I have repeated what you have just said.
I guess I've lost the photos in my gallery as I would need to log back into that account to retrieve them. My account still looks active to any view, I haven't been banned and the account isn't closed, I just can't log in.
But setting up a new account might at least allow me to message the mods, or forum owner to see what has happened and to ask for certain info of mine to be deleted properly.
But setting up a new account might at least allow me to message the mods, or forum owner to see what has happened and to ask for certain info of mine to be deleted properly.
It depends on the ban type. Some forums use IP bans, others just ban usernames.
There’s ways around both, you could sign up again hawing another email address/username and if it lets you, no IP ban. If it’s an IP ban, you could use another IP address.
Either way, you can circumvent it, but if the moderating team is vigilant they’ll keep an eye out for returning banned members and ban them again.
There’s ways around both, you could sign up again hawing another email address/username and if it lets you, no IP ban. If it’s an IP ban, you could use another IP address.
Either way, you can circumvent it, but if the moderating team is vigilant they’ll keep an eye out for returning banned members and ban them again.
New account, new email address, using VPN etc will probably get you in under a new identity but won't help you access your old account. Have you tried contacting them to say you just want to get your photos and never return again?!
If all else fails, quote GDPR and ask them to delete your personal data.
If all else fails, quote GDPR and ask them to delete your personal data.
LeadFarmer said:
So, does it all work around IP addresses?
Would resetting my router give me a new IP address?
It's unlikley resetting your router will give you a new IP address & it may well not be enough anyway. Some forums use tracking features & set cookies so to avoid detection as a returning member you'll need a new IP address, usually accomplished by using a VPN, a different browser with private mode & a different email address. You should also clear any cookies from the forum in any other browsers you have used.Would resetting my router give me a new IP address?
Even if you can open a new account you won't gain access to your old account so you can recover the pictures; if you can't get the administrator to let you back in they are gone. If you forget to use the VPN on your new account your old IP will be picked up & you'll probably be banned as a returning member.
Forum bans can be limited to an individual account, or an IP address (or a range).
Most forums won't immediately ban an IP address as they can be shared and will end up preventing other visitors from accessing a site. Usually IP addres bans are reserved for when the same person creates multiple accounts in order to circumvent the first ban.
Obviously the policy depends on the site owners. If they enjoy banning people then perhaps they will jump directly to IP bans. This requires extra steps though.
It can be really frustrating keeping on top of trouble makers on a large forum so that might be another reason they jump directly to IP.
In any case it is easy to log in through a VPN/proxy server to mask your true IP. This will allow you to access the forum on a new account, but if your original account is banned then it won't help.
15 years ago I was involved in running a couple of incredibly large forums. Fine when I was a teenager but never again!
Most forums won't immediately ban an IP address as they can be shared and will end up preventing other visitors from accessing a site. Usually IP addres bans are reserved for when the same person creates multiple accounts in order to circumvent the first ban.
Obviously the policy depends on the site owners. If they enjoy banning people then perhaps they will jump directly to IP bans. This requires extra steps though.
It can be really frustrating keeping on top of trouble makers on a large forum so that might be another reason they jump directly to IP.
In any case it is easy to log in through a VPN/proxy server to mask your true IP. This will allow you to access the forum on a new account, but if your original account is banned then it won't help.
15 years ago I was involved in running a couple of incredibly large forums. Fine when I was a teenager but never again!
LeadFarmer said:
Thanks for the advice.
Might have to re-subscribe to IPVanish, don't intend to do anything sneaky, but would like to gain access to the forum to contact them to obtain an explanation, and if needed to request they delete my account in accordance with GDPR etc.
Many forums have a contact link which is accesible without logging in, although in my experience administrators don't always respond. Do you know if the forum hosting & administrators are located in the UK?Might have to re-subscribe to IPVanish, don't intend to do anything sneaky, but would like to gain access to the forum to contact them to obtain an explanation, and if needed to request they delete my account in accordance with GDPR etc.
LeadFarmer said:
So, does it all work around IP addresses?
In a word NO, not prepared to go into specific details for obvious reasons. 
Regarding your Old banned profile, under GDPR you have the right to be "forgotten" this usually involves deleting your old profile and removing all posts that you have made on the site.
If that is what you wish to do then just contact them and demand your rights.
HTH.
Big Al. said:
LeadFarmer said:
So, does it all work around IP addresses?
In a word NO, not prepared to go into specific details for obvious reasons. Regarding your Old banned profile, under GDPR you have the right to be "forgotten" this usually involves deleting your old profile and removing all posts that you have made on the site.
If that is what you wish to do then just contact them and demand your rights.
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