posted
Just wondering, is there any way to trace a "guest" on a computer forum that doesn't have to use a proper email address to register?
There is a forum that talks about local hockey and lots of grown men bash each other. Last night, someone got on there and started posting some truly awful things, but signed on using other people's real names. It's bad enough that they can hide behind a nickname and say whatever cowardly thing they want, but now they are making it look like other people are saying it. There is stuff on there about me, my son and daughter, My hubby Don who coaches the midget team here, and about 7 other kids off our midget team. I'd really love to trace the little coward that is doing it!!
The administrater of the website also doesn't use his name, and I don't believe the PM function works to contact him, so to contact him I'd have to post a reply on the board, and I just don't really want to go there.
Can anyone help me out??
Suelynn
-------------------- "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot
Suelynn Sedor Sedor Signs Carnduff, SK Canada Posts: 2863 | From: Carnduff, SK Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Some forums display IP numbers of those who post, and you can match up the poster that way sometimes. Regardless, the website probably has his IP logged and the administrator should take it upon himself to handle the problem.
Another trouble is, if he is very internet savvy, he can mask his IP.
[ March 16, 2007, 10:40 AM: Message edited by: Patrick Wedel ]
-------------------- Patrick Wedel North Country Signs Barron, Wisconsin Posts: 72 | From: Barron, WI | Registered: Dec 2004
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-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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There is no way for you to trace him unless you have administration access to the forum. You get his IP from the server logs, use a tracing program and you can locate him right down to the city and his internet provider. You contact the internet provider with the logs and they cut him off.
Did you say slander? libel? defamation? threats? There are laws that apply even when it's done over the internet, and proxy or no proxy he can be traced when it comes right down to it.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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posted
The average dude cannot get beyond the proxies. However advanced web tracing softwares can trace any one. In fact even though your address may be behind a proxy there are other data streams within the data packets that give you away.
If you go to any site that sets a cookie Then you are tracked.
Oh yes, To be anonymous you have to change your http header.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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Thats interesting about the data streams. I didn't know that, but its logical and doesn't surprise me at all. Probably a good thing too, with all the sick stuff being perpetrated over the Net.
-------------------- Patrick Wedel North Country Signs Barron, Wisconsin Posts: 72 | From: Barron, WI | Registered: Dec 2004
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Barb gave me a call and was able to track who has registered the domaign and who the moderater of the site is. I'd have to get the ip address from him, wouldn't I?
Suelynn
-------------------- "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot
Suelynn Sedor Sedor Signs Carnduff, SK Canada Posts: 2863 | From: Carnduff, SK Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I am sorry Suelynn. Some people just have too much time on their hands. People should go to jail for doing such things. Good luck in finding out who is doing it.
-------------------- Cynthia Pack 246 Diamondview Loop Galax, Va. 24333 Posts: 659 | From: Galax, Virginia USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
The forum administrator can set the forum so that only registered people can post, and as such, "guest" then can't post under that name, but under something more concrete, after having given an email address & a password.
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
I'm sorry this is happening to you and your family, Suelynn. I think it wouldn't be wrong to involve the RCMP; I'm sure they have the ability to trace people like that. Nobody should be able to get away with stuff like this! I think it would smarten him up if the cops show up on his doorstep, even if it never goes to court.
posted
Suelynn, you may find this helpful. Just scroll down to the bottom 2/3's of the screen. Its free.
Its what helped me track down that coward who sent those foul e-mails concerning my nephew.
BTW, if the administrator of the forum had any sense, he's block any attempts by people to log on using a proxy. Spamhaus.Org and Anonymizer.Com are a couple of the biggest sources for proxied IP addresses. Blocking them isn't that difficult.
.
[ March 17, 2007, 05:04 PM: Message edited by: Glenn Taylor ]
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