Forum Moderators: rogerd
You know his IP address (AOL, so can't be blocked), his email address, even his home address and real name.
He's damaging your site and it's reputation profoundly.
What do you do?
He does this before being spotted by our moderators. He particularly likes to target new members to drive them away.
We're finding it impossible to grow the site because he always sends insults to new members before we can get to him. Our business model requires us to allow free messaging straight away.
drongo
There are forum plug-ins that let trolls post but hides their posts from everyone but him. It lets him think he's being disruptive when actually nobody sees his posts.
Have been using such a technique for about 6 months now and it works brilliantly.
sock puppet accounts
Anything useful in his browser user-agent? Certain combinations of toolbar installations can give a decent level of uniqueness, especially when combined with other elements (AOL ISP).
obscene messages
Again, look for fingerprints here - if he consistently uses the same terminology you can detect and destroy before the message is sent to the recipient.
They eventually get mad and leave.
That or we ban them. If they come back, we just ban them again. It grows old and they usually give up and leave.
Have you tried befriending him?
Sorry, but I think this is a bad idea. People like this that prey on community users have no place on my sites.
I simply ban them and ignore. Not once will I respond to one of their hate e-mails, threats, etc.
They go away after a while. If you respond, they only get more angry.
I simply ban them and ignore. Not once will I respond to one of their hate e-mails, threats, etc.
Well, he's already explained why he can't ban him forever. And of course the site owner can ignore him but new users definitely won't.
They go away after a while. If you respond, they only get more angry.
Well, eventually. But 2006 was a long time ago and he's still there.
That might be enough to stop him.
Just be nice with AOL. Don't push or threaten them, but ask for their help.
Don't discount the abuse departments of the ISPs. The internet is not as wild and lawless as people believe.
That by itself will probably not solve the problem because they will just move onto a web proxy server.
One possible partial solution is to flag all new accounts coming from AOL's IP's to be set for moderator activation and posting moderation. They'll be aware there is new rule but most likely won't realize you have been able to narrow down the possible suspect accounts.
As mentioned above finding patterns are helpful too, for example are all the accounts created around the same time? Does the person post around the same time? With that information you can further narrow down the suspect accounts.
Anyone ever have any success contacting a ISP? Just curious.
Yes, I'm speaking from experience.
That by itself will probably not solve the problem because they will just move onto a web proxy server.
And that was exactly the case.
First, they kept logging off to change the IP assigned by the ISP, and then they switched to using proxy servers.
That actually made it a worse offense in the eyes of the ISP. It proved the abuse was deliberate and persistent.
I suggest you contact a web-savvy attorney to be sure your TOS is in good shape. It's possible that a stern letter on legal stationery would be enough to put an end to the abuse. If not, your attorney would have to advise you on the best grounds for legal action seeking monetary damages and/or some kind of injunction prohibiting further use of your site by the offender. Good luck!
If you have an address then notify mommy and daddy that they may be facilitating an ongoing crime, by providing sonny with internet access, and that they may be held accountable or sued civilly. (See recent case reported on front page of WebmasterWorld regarding using false identities.)
Mommy and daddy may do a better job of putting an end to this than the police.
Somewhere in there you can contact AOL and ask for assistance in unbanning them but don't hold your breath.
Sounds like the horse has already bolted here but we are just a link away from launching a forum for our site but this very issue is stopping us!
Now there is an idea a forum FOR these kinds of people!
