XF 2.1 Users sharing IP's

[eaststandboy]

Hey

We do not allow multiple accounts per user, unless requested.

Is there a way of searching for IP addresses that have been used but multiple users at the same time?

 

[djbaxter]

Be very careful with this. You may end up banning or rejecting valid users.

There are several very good reasons why members may using the same IP address may not be duplicate accounts:

• two or more members of the same family sharing the same network connection and maybe even the same computers or devices
• roommates as above
• college or university students using institutional networks
• members logging in from their work locations
• members using public libraries, internet cafes, or other public networks (coffee shops, hospitals, etc., etc.)
• members using mobile devices where the displayed IP may be the specific mobile provider

Some of these are more likely in smaller geographical locations or less technologically advanced nations.

There are a couple of add-ons which can help detect multiple accounts but be aware that these are far from infallible for the reasons listed above. If you use them, be very cautious. They should be viewed as flags for further examination, not definitive, and false positives are definitely going to occur:

Unmaintained - Alter Ego Detector (AED2) | XenForo community: This addon by @au lait uses cookies to detect use of the same device (see shared devices above). Note that au lait no longer maintains, supports, or upgrades his addons.

Duplicate account check [Paid] | XenForo community: This add-on by @AndyB looks for the combination of matched IP address + matched browser. However, again, it is not immune to false positives for the reasons listed above.

 

[eaststandboy]

Cheers.

Yes, we normally contact the users asking why, some are just trolls though.