Can the RIAA Read My IP Here?

[Anonymous Proxy]

Hi:

I'm new here, so be gentle, K?

I was browsing here, and my attention got grabbed by those little graphics some users use that show a viewer his IP.

I realize this is just a computer trick that points the user's browser at the IP info on his own system.

It got me to thinking though...

Suppose some bigwig at the RIAA was browsing the Zeropaid forums, and saw a post that got him pissed. Would he ever turn to his tech guy, and say "Get me that guy's IP. I want to see if it's on our list of potential people to charge for illegal downloading."? If he did, could it be done?

I'm thinking maybe it could. Couldn't the tech guy simply put a graphic on a website then start posting to Zeropaid?

As the graphic was retrieved from his website, all he would have to do, would be to start logging the forum users appearing at his site to pick up the pic. He could go back to the forums and start looking for the times on posts from the targeted user, that matched the times on his log of users retrieving the graphic. From there he could simply match the IP with the RIAA list of IPs the RIAA have identified as copyright offenders.

It could be done, couldn't it?

[hawkburn]

LMFAO!

The simple answer - no!

First of all, the RIAA doesnt give a crap what we say about them, and they cant check you or scan you just because you said - "RIAA Bastards!" ect ect.

There are two ways of getting an IP in this case -

1.) All users posts are logged with an IP address. The moderators/admins have access in which to ban a user. They can access this, and I believe the RIAA getting access would be a violation of US Constitution to the right of privacy and freedom of speech.

or

2.) The authoritative computer must directly connect (such as P2P) to the user's computer, and then use a tool (netstat or other) and that reveals the IP. But without illegal activity, no action is taken and the IP should NOT be in the watch list, but its not a law that they cannot.

[cpugeniusmv]

your IP could be obtained by force from here....but only with the cooperation of the site owners.

but it's unlikely to happen. check this out:

http://www.zeropaid.com/php/privacy.php

[Anonymous Proxy]

Can you please show me where the flaw is in my thinking.

Why couldn't a user's IP be retrieved the way I described?

[cpugeniusmv]

Originally posted by Anonymous Proxy
Can you please show me where the flaw is in my thinking.

Why couldn't a user's IP be retrieved the way I described?

after rereading your post....

yep, that could be done.

[cheapprick]

The only flaw is that we watch what is being said.

The admins and mods remove any comments that could be construed as proof of any infringing activity.

eg.
"I downloaded some cool new trance" is fine and doesn't prove anything.

"I just downloaded DJ Longfart's sorry, we don't allow the posting of individual file names, please read the forum rules before posting again.

[aqlo]

No it would be a needle-in-a-haystack problem. Many many more users view than post, many of the major posters block such graphics, and it's not an attractive approach with the sea of ips they already have.

Someone who cared to find out exactly who one particular one of us among the posters during very low-volume times could probably do it if they had unlimited resources, but we don't care. I for one send them rude emails 4 or 5 times a year.

[cpugeniusmv]

another thing....they could get the IPs...but they couldn't identify who they belonged to by screen name :)

dang aqlo....i'm just not as fast as i used to be....

[mojo-ris-in]

Since this is not an actual P2P network that trades files there is no worries with the RIAA tracking you down for comments made. If that were the case then the EFF, Slyck, UTC, Peer Lounge, etc etc etc would have been shut down long ago. Contrary to popular belief you do have a protection in the US called freedom of speech and though even that seems questionable in this day and age it still does offer you a somewhat freedom to talk about things. Like CP said as long as titles and files do not trade hands here, the RIAA can't do a whole lot. But with a nick like yours, you obviously know how to disquise yourself here don't you?

[Anonymous Proxy]

I'm sorry I don't think I'm explaining my clearly.

Specifically this is what I want to know is, is it possible to do this:

1. Open a website and post a graphic on it.

2. Register at Zeropaid and start posting, linking a graphic on your post to the graphic on your site.

3. Log the IPs of users coming to your site to retrieve the graphic.

4. Return to the forums and copy the times and dates of posts appearing on the thread you posted to, after the time your post first appeared.

5. Match the times of the Zeropaid posts to the times appearing on your website logs of people retrieving the graphic from your site.

Wouldn't this give you the IP of a particular Forum user.? Could this be done?

If they were trying to identify a particular user, why would it matter how many IPs appear at the forum? They would be targeting a particular set.

I'd like to know one way or the other if it could be done, before I discuss whether or not someone would actually do it.

[cpugeniusmv]

Originally posted by Anonymous Proxy
I'm sorry I don't think I'm explaining my clearly.

Specifically this is what I want to know is, is it possible to do this:

1. Open a website and post a graphic on it.

2. Register at Zeropaid and start posting, linking a graphic on your post to the graphic on your site.

3. Log the IPs of users coming to your site to retrieve the graphic.

4. Return to the forums and copy the times and dates of posts appearing on the thread you posted to, after the time your post first appeared.

5. Match the times of the Zeropaid posts to the times appearing on your website logs of people retrieving the graphic from your site.

Wouldn't this give you the IP of a particular Forum user.? Could this be done?

I'd like to know one way or the other if it could be done, before I discuss whether or not someone would actually do it.

just because a user views a post doesn't mean he will reply :)

[Sephiroth]

No. If a regular poster or guest cant view ips here then no one can.

If the RIAA was really here then i would not be. I dont like the RIAA, i do not like their war on the consumer, and i do not like their propoganda and how they want to destroy p2p technology so they can charge 22 dollars a CD.

No people cannot get your ip because of their signature because HTML code is off. Those pictures only echo your browser info and ip they cannot send them to anyone.

Even if they did this is not a warez site and thus it would be pointless to do that anyways.

[Pebbles100]

Don't worry so much :mellow

[Malicious Intent]

My flatmate was trying to prove that the server was not safe. He found a website that listed all the files and folders on his PC. However, all the webpage had done was to imbed his C: Drive folder into the webpage. Therefore what he could see could not be reported back to the host anymore than if he had the C: Drive window open seperately. It was really scary to see though, but just like those sig images, the owners have no idea what you can see.

[aqlo]

Thanks Sephi I didn't realize it was technically impossible as well, that's probably great news for some of the more nervous users.

*sends another taunting letter to Eminem*

[Sephiroth]

These things work just like a mirror. They reflect back information but they dont know what exactly it is.

Those who dont know a whole lot yeah it could look scary but its harmless.

If it was harmful then it wouldnt be allowed. Thats why we have forum rules and why they are enforced to protect people here and to protect this site.

[rainbowdemon]

I keep seeing these graphics too. But the info on mine has changed since yesterday.

[Anonymous Proxy]

Yeah, I'm going to take Pebbles advice and not worry so much.

The HTML is off thing Sephiroth metioned sounds good. I don't understand it, but it sounds like he does, so I'm going to choose to believe him.

I'm going to be En Sof and merge with the cosmic whole on this issue.