Can't Join Forum

In a previous thread I expressed my concerns about surfing the Net safely. One suggestion that was made to me was to browse anonymously (if that is the correct phrase). I am using a website whereby I can browse the Net without giving out my free information.

This seems to me to be a good idea; however, I have encountered a problem: when trying to join an Internet forum the site says it has a policy to preventing spamming and it won't let me register.

I thought the purpose of these anonymous browsing services was to let the web site you are visiting see a different IP address. Why would they think it was spamming?

 

Most forums do not allow anonymous people to join. The only people who see your IP are the administrators of that particular forum. If you don't trust the administrators then don't join the forum.

 

If I may add, admins on a forum see a generic IP range. Nothing personal. I'm banned from :- http://www.malwareremoval.com/

It's their choice. But you have to realise, that It's not me singled out. Depending on the IP range (banned) could be an entire town/city if not more.

Screen shot attached.

Cheers..

 

I wonder if I didn't phrase my original question well. First off, I'm not trying to be anonymous. I would be more than happy to give them all my personal details required, e.g. name, date of birth, etc.

The next point is that I'm not banned from the forum. I can't, going through the anonymous IP, even get to join the site.

What I wanted to know is this: do they just see an IP address? If they see only that why do they think that someone is attempting to attack their site with spam.

Obviously, I don't expect anyone to know the internal machinations of their site. I'm more interested in knowing how these anonymous services work (or don't seem to work).:confused

 

You show up as using a proxy. Spammers will use a proxy to keep getting back in to continue spamming. That's the reason you can't sign up.

 

The question I am asking is this: how do they know it's a proxy site?

 

Why should I? I'm entitled to protect my privacy.

 

The only way to accomplish that? Unplug from the internet.

Seriously.

 

Why are you guys attacking this poster? He just wants to know how they know hes using said proxy, and as Buck said, many well used proxys become known and listed, and then people use those lists, and check ips against them to prevent known spammers from joining to cause issues.

 

By using a proxy you are hiding your IP address. This is your right, of course.

By using a proxy you are showing the forum software an IP address that is not yours, but one that is used by many other people. Some of them are spammers, so that IP address (or IP range) gets banned. You will not be allowed to join or post in that forum.

You want to know what the forum software is seeing when you connect to them directly (without using a proxy)? It sees (and logs) your IP address, from which the forum admins can see where you live (city, state, country), as well as the browser and operating system you use. That's about it.

Note that only forum admins and/or moderators can see your information; the public will never see it.

I personally do not have a problem going on the Internet using my own IP address.

 

Who has attacked the OP? :confused
Cheers..

 

Thanks very much for explaining this. Perhaps I am just plain thick because I am missing something here. I don't know how precise an IP address gives your location. The proxy I use allows me to choose the server location. I choose the one that is based in the city where I live. What I am not understanding is how they know the IP address that the proxy is giving them is not my IP address. This forum, I know, has no problem with being accessed via a proxy.

 

I believe it's the owner of the IP address you are using rather than your geographical location that is being checked. ISPs 'own' blocks of addresses and so I guess do the owners of proxy servers. Some forums clearly have a policy of not allowing members using addresses known to be proxy.

I just checked my own IP using an internet service and it gives my location, ISP and type of connection accurately but nothing else such as browser or OS.

 

Thank you for all the answers. I now understand that they will know it is a proxy IP address. I will try the link provided. I am certainly not a spammer, even if I was inclined to do that, and I am not, I do not possess the level of IT skills required.

I am very keen on my privacy and I am sure I am not alone. I understand that is difficult in our times but I see no harm in doing whatever you can to protect yourself from identity theft and all the consequences of that.

 

I do not use social media sites. To be frank, I have little time for them. I am sure no one out there wants to know when I have just woken in the morning, picked my nose, drunk my third cup of tea, etc. I have a variety of security software, all recommended by Majorgeeks. These include antivirus, firewall and antimalware. The only potentially dangerous thing I do online is some banking. I always update all my security software before I go on to my online bank. I scan once every two weeks for viruses and other malware. I keep all my security, and other, software up-to-date and run Windows Update regularly.