IP Logging

[john5211]

Hello,

So I recently found a pretty good forum to discuss cars in ( http://forums.roadfly.com/bmw/ , if your interested in BMWs); however, I noticed that whenever a message is posted, the client name and IP address of the poster is displayed.

Now, I know that IP logging is standard practice and a very good idea, but I'm a little uncomfortable with my IP address being posted across the web for all to see (especially since I use a cable modem and have a practically static IP address). Seems like this is exactly the kind of place that someone could go to find out a bunch of IP that stay attached to computers for an extended time.

Am I being overly worried about my privacy/security, or is this a legitimate concern that could lead to the compromise of people’s computer security (I want to get other opinions before I start bugging the site administrators about it).

Thanks,

John

[iisbob]

As long as you run a firewall, close all your ports ( don't enable printer/file sharing w/out any protection ) , you should be ok.

If you're really paranoid-you can get a hardwired firewall to block outside connection's.

If you make sure that all your ports are secured ( if you're doing a home network make sure you don't use generic or easily guessed passwords ) you should be alright.

The casual user might see your ip-but wouldn't know what to do with it.

Rename of remove your Telnet.exe program, this will give you some added security.

I would definately complain to the admin of this site; such information should not be made publicly available.

Though there are programs out there that will let you spoof your ip; your best bet is to run a good firewall.



------------------
iisbob

The man who sets out to carry a cat by its tail learns something that will always be useful and which never will grow dim or doubtful. -- Mark Twain.

[Paleo Pete]

I would definately complain to the admin of this site; such information should not be made publicly available.

I fully agree, the IP address should definitely not be available to the general public, especially with the growing popularity of cable and DSL Internet access involving static IP addresses. I would definitely contact the administration of that forum and advise them to discontinue displaying IP addresses. Those should be available only to the forum administration.

I think iisbob has pretty well covered the security considerations.

------------------
If your nose runs and your feet smell...
You're built upside down!
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.dreamwater.com/paleopete/computer.htm) has been moved, please update your bookmarks.

[john5211]

Thanks for the input. I suspected as much, but when I wrote the admins about it they seemed to think I was crazy to worry about such a thing. Nice to know I'm not crazy.

John