Proxy Servers

[Promethean]

Some of the ways spammers manage to hit us is that they use proxy servers to try and create new accounts. I'm thinking of disabling access to the cafe via a Proxy.

To that end.....I'd like to know how many of us use a proxy server to get to the Cafe. If this would inconvenience members...I won't disable proxy access.

Please let me know.

[BobFV1]

Abhijeet -

I don't use a proxy, but many of the places I access the web from while traveling internationally do - including hotels and interweb cafes. Disabling proxies may make it difficult for me to hit the site from Dubai or Singapore or New Delhi, but think of how my productivity will go up!

[jamming]

I use a proxy at work, but that's it AND it's the only reason I know what it is.

[GPM]

I wouldn't be surprised if quite a few people who access the site from anywhere other than home might be going through proxies. With the proliferation of wireless access, I suspect the problem will only get worse.

[Promethean]

I should have been a little more specific. I was not referring to corporate proxy servers. I meant internet based proxy servers for anonymous browsing.

e.g. If someone wants to mask his IP, they can go to a website like anonymizer.com and browse the forums using that service. Spammers use similar services to start attacks on websites like ours.

One of these days, I'm going to write some sort of custom solution to this problem.

[GPM]

Oh, you mean stealth porn browsers, why didn't you say so. I suspect you'll be fine blocking those guys....

[Deans BMW]

AB, don't have a clue what a proxy server is, as you know, I log into the site from all over the US with what ever puter I can beg, borrow or steal, right now I am in the private office of the owner of the Newton Inn in Iowa.

[Promethean]

Well Dean....A proxy server sits between your machine and the server for the most part and acts as an intermediary. A common example would be a network proxy for companies. e.g. someone surfing at work would most likely be using a proxy server to access the Internet while remaining shielded behind their company network.

Some other uses are.....surfing porn sites to hide their IP etc. We get hit by spammers who try to register using proxy servers to mask their real IP address.

Anyways....it was just a thought.....it appears that the last hack I installed has effectively stopped the automated spam bots. Real-life spammers can always register manually but those are few and far between and can be easily weeded out.

I won't be blocking proxies then. Thanks.


AB, don't have a clue what a proxy server is, as you know, I log into the site from all over the US with what ever puter I can beg, borrow or steal, right now I am in the private office of the owner of the Newton Inn in Iowa.