IP address

Nothing at all to do with data protection as I hope the data protection provisions would be applied to both real and anonymous data in exactly the same way. To release detals of my IP is infringing my right to remain anonymous although from time to time I may choose to forego the benefits of anonymous surfing.

EFF(1,2)

 

...still waiting...

 

What happens when, in exercising the 'right' to anonymity, the surfer libels someone who decides to take legal action?

bonb

 

On other sites I've seen posters use peoples IP to track them down and list name and address. MOst of the time it's been that the person's been spamming the boards or posting offensive content. In which case fair enough, however what's to stop someone doing so for other personal reasons?

If I want to view something anonyMOusly, then surely I should be able to without it being assumed it's for bad reasons? Maybe my understanding of what can be known from an IP address is wrong, or my understanding of how that information is stored/used is wrong. Or maybe I'm just paranoid?

 

You get a court order to go back to the real name and address details lodged with the owner of the forum using the nickname as the link between anonymity and real world details.

 

Maybe,but that doesn't mean they're not out to get you

Thanks for the first answer to my question

 

Ok a quick switch proxy 101 :-

1) From firefox select tools -> switch proxy - manage proxys

2) select add -> annonyomous -> next

3) list of proxies -> http://forums.mozmonkey.com/viewtopic.php?t=19

BTW I don't use the anonymous proxies I use switch proxy at work when I have to flip between different web proxy servers when vpn'ing from one account to another

 

Big Brother is watching

 

AT what kind of things do they tend to hide?

 

So many personalities, so little time...

 

Michael Jackson has tried Isaac !

 

and succeeded Andy. Can you tell what race/colour/sex he/she is?

 

I'll give you an example:

a) The right to privacy.
b) The right not to be swamped with port scans attempting to deliver trojans etc
c) The right to being able to use the internet without some meglomanic forum mod dropping you in trouble with your ISP over some petty argument with a made up accusation.


I'm sure I can think of more given time.

The way I see it. Your IP address (assuming its static) is like your phone number or address. You don't go giving those out to the whole world so why should you be expected to do so with an IP address?


GTM

 

Tell the petty control freaks to go take a running jump.
They have absolutely zero right to that information. Who do they think they are? Don't bother I'll tell you. They are small minded individuals with serious delusions of grandeur.

GTM

 

In which case NOT fair enough. You have NO right what so ever to diseminate personal information about someone to the whole world. For ANY reason that could occur on a forum.


GTM

 

Thanks for that but I fear you miss my point.
I was asking the original poster for his reasons.
Obviously,he would be well within his rights to tell me to go jump.

 

I generally don't take calls from people who withhold their number. It would be quite reasonable for a web site operator to not allow access to someone who hides their IP behind a proxy. There's no right to access, you have no rights at all, like a public house 'right of admission is reserved'.

I might stick an image in here and harvest some ZG users IPs... In conjunction with the 'who's on line' features connecting user names to IPs would be reasonably possible.

Paul

 

Does an IP address actually give any infomation about the individual? If it does or can lead to the indentification of the individual then there may be Data Protection issues to consider which of course would be a consideration for the forum owners as Data Controllers.

 

My reason for wishing to use a proxy has not changed since yesterday, I use one because I can. If people think that is not a valid reason then they are entitled to their opinion but because I still can is my still reason for using one.

 

"Because I can" ?
Does that seem like a rather ignorant answer to anyone else?
I think I prefer the 'non comittal' answers to be honest.

Paul Ranson,
Good points.

Active Hiatus,
Not exactly - an I.P address along with details of the ISP,time of posting and a court order can provide details of an account owner.