IP address online multiple times

[kazzer]

I run a small forum with some 700 members and just recently I noticed my users online count was up from an average of 20 to 40 or 50.

The users are all from Japan -

119.63.196.89
119.63.196.52
119.63.196.87
119.63.196.89
119.63.196.77
119.63.196.175
119.63.196.120
119.63.196.110

etc etc approx 20 similar addresses

They've been there for days, never signing out.

I 'banned' them

as in 119.63.196.*
119.63.196.45

where is says --

Use this option to prevent certain IP addresses from accessing any part of your board.

If you enter a complete IP address (242.21.11.7), only that IP will be banned.
If you enter a partial IP (243.21.11. or 243.21.11), any IPs that begin with the partial IP will be banned. For example, banning 243.21.11 will prevent 243.21.11.7 from accessing your board. However, 243.21.115.7 would still be able to access your board.

You may also use an '*' as a wildcard for increased flexibility. For example, if you enter 243.21.11*, many IPs will be banned including: 243.21.11.7, 243.21.115.7, 243.21.119.225.

Place a space or a line break between each IP address.


but that doesn't seem to work as they are all still there.

I don't understand what they are up to, but it can't be 'above board', can it?