IP Addresses And The Like

[Lux]

Here is some specific information about IIF and general info about IP addys (there's a whole lot more on the Internet).

What is an IP address?
It is a standard way of identifying a computer that is connected to the Internet, much the way a telephone number identifies a telephone on a telephone network.

Why do you need an IP address?
Imagine ordering a product online or through a catalogue and not providing your "home address" - how will they deliver it. Each time you go to a site, your computer is actually "ordering" all the files that compose that web page. The website needs to know "where to send it". It will send it to that connection, and in turn to the PC that requested it.

Who assigns my IP address?
Your Internet service provider (ISP) or network administrator will assign your machine an IP address.

Is my IP address always the same?
If it is static, it never changes (like your phone #). If it is dynamic, your ISP will assign you an IP address from a pool of IPs (unlike your phone number) every time you start your modem (not simply reboot your computer).

Why all this?
When we "come across" an IP address that has multiple users, it is a concern for us. There are reasons why this happens, but expect us to question it. Remember, Rule 14 - Do not register and use multiple usernames - Deceiving the forum members by using multiple usernames is prohibited.

When do we research an IP?
We don't spend our time researching IP addresses. Trust me - reading strings of numbers is not quite our form of entertainment. When Forum Rules are broken -or- when we identify questionable or unusual behavior, we take a look at the IP address.

Wanna get noticed?
Break or disregard our Forum rules and you'll have ALL OF OUR ATTENTION. :mad:

We have many options :


remind you
warn you
ban your user
ban your IP (and pool) - even anonymous IPs and their pools
report your activities to your ISP and/or the authorities
Those who think they can do "what they want - when they want" have run into the wrong place.
We're not going to allow others to destroy what we've built here.

Other than that, WE REALLY DON'T CARE WHAT YOUR IP ADDRESS IS. We would much rather spend time reading the forum, sharing information and every once in a while, checking in with our families to see how tall our children have grown since we last signed onto IIF. :p

What about my privacy?
We are not sleuths or investigators and our privacy policy clearly states that we do not share any information with anyone.
Privacy Policy (http://www.investorsiraq.com/privacy.html)

"Sleuthing" is prohibited, but it is also very much out of our control, We advise everyone to exercise prudence with all their activity on this forum as we cannot control the information YOU may directly or indirectly provide to others.
Privacy and Security (http://www.investorsiraq.com/showthread.php/?t=7279)

If you are ever uncomfortable about any correspondence you have receive on this forum, please contact this website's Administrator & Moderators (http://www.investorsiraq.com/showgroups.php?).

Regards,

:cool:
Lux

[Hollywood]

Nothing to hide here.
Thanks for the post Lux,
HW

[John Miller]

I'm curious to know what was the inspiration of this thread.



"...Other than that, WE REALLY DON'T CARE WHAT YOUR IP ADDRESS IS. We would much rather spend time reading the forum, sharing information and every once in a while, checking in with our families to see how tall our children have grown since we last signed onto IIF..."If a Mod/Administrator feels the need to research/trace an IP address, then so be it. It's most likely for a good reason. I think what is actually concerning is that the forum members themselves have the ability to do the research/trace.

I find it hard to believe that a member of the forum would have a problem with any Mod/Administrator having knowledge of anyone's IP address. Well, actually I would have a problem with it if it was done willy nilly...but, in the course of a legitimate investigation, then fine.

The problem is that, apparently, any member can find out the IP address of any other member (if they know how), and then use any subsequent information that can be ascertained from that IP address for personal gain.

It happened earlier today. Fortunately, the information that was gained by the 'IP address researcher' was deleted soon after it was posted (I can only assume it was deleted by the original poster, and not a mod). This member, by the way, makes no secret of his/their IP address researching capabilities. In fact, he/they seem to flaunt his/their capabilties.


If the Administrator/Mods feel the need to ban a member/members because that person(s) has used multiple usernames for the purposes of deception and/or personal gain, then by all means ban them. I thought this was discussed by danpeg on the 10Aug ( http://www.investorsiraq.com/showthread.php?t=8255 ).


So, I end this post with the same way I began it:

I'm curious to know what was the inspiration of this thread.

[Lux]

I'm curious to know what was the inspiration of this thread.



If a Mod/Administrator feels the need to research/trace an IP address, then so be it. It's most likely for a good reason. I think what is actually concerning is that the forum members themselves have the ability to do the research/trace.

I find it hard to believe that a member of the forum would have a problem with any Mod/Administrator having knowledge of anyone's IP address. Well, actually I would have a problem with it if it was done willy nilly...but, in the course of a legitimate investigation, then fine.

The problem is that, apparently, any member can find out the IP address of any other member (if they know how), and then use any subsequent information that can be ascertained from that IP address for personal gain.

It happened earlier today. Fortunately, the information that was gained by the 'IP address researcher' was deleted soon after it was posted (I can only assume it was deleted by the original poster, and not a mod). This member, by the way, makes no secret of his/their IP address researching capabilities. In fact, he/they seem to flaunt his/their capabilties.
.......
So, I end this post with the same way I began it:

I'm curious to know what was the inspiration of this thread.

No one can view an IP on this site unless they have administrative rights to do so. Period.

Now, if someone sends you an email and you respond back to them, they may very easily get your IP address off of it. And that has absolutely nothing to do with this site. Like I said, you can be sharing information indirectly and not even know you are doing it.

EDIT
You can also reveal your IP addy by clicking on a link that someone posts which directs you to their site. Please notify us if you ever come across any suspicious links, but again, the information that is being captured is not being revealed by this site.

What also inspired this thread is the ignorance of people on the internet when they create anonymous email addresses and then put their real names on the account - which shows up on the emails they send.

Like I said, you can share information indirectly and not even know you are doing it.

Any other questions?

[BBbucks]

Thank you for your comments John- I addressed this issue with another member in one of my posts today. I hope the mods will look into this because it is a BIG issue. I also realize that the posts you were referring to also occured today. This post regarding this issue by Sportslux was posted yesterday. It appears that a particular member is making a point of breaking the rules and flaunting it-after the forum posted their stance on this. I know that I, for one do not wish to participate in an otherwise great forum, if my or anyone else's personal privacy appears to be compromised by other forum members that are clearly breaking the rules.

[Lux]

Thank you for your comments John- I addressed this issue with another member in one of my posts today. I hope the mods will look into this because it is a BIG issue. I also realize that the posts you were referring to also occured today. This post regarding this issue by Sportslux was posted yesterday. It appears that a particular member is making a point of breaking the rules and flaunting it-after the forum posted their stance on this. I know that I, for one do not wish to participate in an otherwise great forum, if my or anyone else's personal privacy appears to be compromised by other forum members that are clearly breaking the rules.

Apparently he is using "a site" to capture your info, but not this one, though he is putting the link here.

Please let me know via PM who this person is so we can address it.

Regards,

:cool:
Lux

[Lux]

John Miller and BBBucks

I just received the information thanks to another member. (Many thanks to that person)

Basically, you are viewing your own IP address, but others cannot see it. When they look at the same post guess what they are seeing - yes, their own IP address. - including the person who's signature is reflecting this image.

I understand the apprehension, but the only one viewing that image is yourself. This is not a compromise in your privacy.

My apologies your my hasty response (I've edited my remarks) and I appreciate your concerns, but I hope you understand that everyone is viewing their own IP address on that signature and not the IPs of others.

I do want to make my point clear - your IP on this site isn't publicly revealed to anyone in any way shape or form.

Regards,

:cool:
Lux

[Good_Karma]

John Miller and BBBucks

I just received the information thanks to another member. (Many thanks to that person)

Basically, you are viewing your own IP address, but others cannot see it. When they look at the same post guess what they are seeing - yes, their own IP address. - including the person who's signature is reflecting this image.

I understand the apprehension, but the only one viewing that image is yourself. This is not a compromise in your privacy.

My apologies your my hasty response (I've edited my remarks) and I appreciate your concerns, but I hope you understand that everyone is viewing their own IP address on that signature and not the IPs of others.

I do want to make my point clear - your IP on this site isn't publicly revealed to anyone in any way shape or form.

Regards,

:cool:
Lux


But what is the point of him doing that? For his enjoyment? This is a forum about the IQD, not for sleuthing and annoying people. I think he either should be warned one final time or banned. Thanks.

[Lux]

But what is the point of him doing that? For his enjoyment? This is a forum about the IQD, not for sleuthing and annoying people. I think he either should be warned one final time or banned. Thanks.

Yes Good Karma,

I have communicated this to him and I've deleted his posts containing the "mirror". I don't expect this to be an issue anymore.

Thanks for your concern.

[F355]

Yes Good Karma,

I have communicated this to him and I've deleted his posts containing the "mirror". I don't expect this to be an issue anymore.

Thanks for your concern.
SL...I am in full agreement with the others on this issue...he has no right to perform this intrusive action on any forum member...he has been offending many forum members with his actions and seems to target some of the best researchers and suppliers of information.
Left unchecked, he will ruin this forum for all! :mad:

[Tinydancer]

..just one sentence from me.

..in his head, he feels he has power above all...
( I am in complete agreement with the other posters)

[BBbucks]

Thanks everyone for your agreement in this matter- this member may be posting under different names- but it appears he is still outnumbered. ;)

[Lux]

Thanks everyone for your agreement in this matter- this member may be posting under different names- but it appears he is still outnumbered. ;)

The person in question is not using multiple names.

Everyone's point is well taken, but the purpose of this thread was to relieve concerns that IIF protects any information you reveal to IIF including your IP address

Since I have made my point clear, I am going to close this thread so that other topics do not cloud this issue.

Respectfully,

:cool:
Lux