Administrative and Maintenance Tools - Multiple Account Detection & Prevention

It happens all of the time. Some members will make multiple accounts to back their own opinion or get an extra vote in a poll. Here's a modification that will detect and prevent multiple accounts, as well as notify the administration about multiple accounts. Inspiration for this modification came from the work of MPDev (creator of the Multiple Account Login Detector) and randominity (creator of the Multiple Account Registration Prevention). This is basically a combination of those two modifications but with new and improved functionality.

This is not an update to the "Multiple Account Login Detector (AE Detector)" nor is it an update to the "Multiple Account Registration Prevention." If you have either one of these (or both of them) installed, you should uninstall them before installing this modification.

With the initial release of Multiple Account Detection & Prevention, I believe that I have fixed previous bugs/complications as well as improved the efficiency and logic of the code. This is my first publicly released modification. I would appreciate any comments and suggestions!

Confirmed! This works perfectly on all vBulletin 3.6, 3.7, and 3.8 versions.

Unfortunately, I cannot give support right now. I may be able to help periodically, but until my schedule yields some more free time, I won't be much support. Please check back in a week or two.

Basic Details
File Edits: None
Template Edits: None
New Files: 6
Hooks/Plugins: 3
Global Phrases: 36
Install Time: 2 Minutes or Less
Install Difficulty: None, Very Easy

Features and Settings
- Login Detection
- Registration Prevention (Multiple Methods)
- Ignore Child Accounts
- Ignored Users
- Ignored Usergroups
- Ignored ISPs
- Prevention Usergroup
- IP Address Based Prevention
- Extended IP Address Prevention
- IP Address Time Inclusion
- Banned Account Check
- Primary Banned Usergroup
- Cookie Expiration Time
- Cookie Refreshing
- Cookie Name
- Cookie Reset
- Multiple Account Reporter
- Reports via PM
- PM Report Recipients
- Reports via New Thread
- Forum for Report Threads
- Verbose Mode
- BB Codes: LIST, URL, CODE

How it Works
With every newly recognized login/registration, an account-counting cookie is set (or added onto) with the member's User ID. Depending on the settings, Multiple Account Detection & Prevention will analyze the cookie during login/registration to see if there are any multiple accounts.

Login Detection offers cookie-checking and reporting. Registration Prevention offers the same thing, plus more advanced features. First of all, when it prevents an account from registering, it actually moves the registrant to the Prevention Usergroup so that the administration can review the case. This also allows for customized privileges for recognized multiple registrants. Registration Prevention also has IP address detection which finds out just as much information about users. Depending on an administrator's preference, this modification can also reban a new registrant if one of their previous accounts has been banned. In fact, if the administration wishes, multiple registrants can simply be denied registration all together.

Whenever there is a detection/prevention, the modification will report the information to the administration through private messages, a new thread, or both (depending on settings). The Multiple Account Reporter can be any valid user.

Known Issues
- vB Optimise users: Reporting via thread seems to get messed up by vB Optimise, so try reporting via PM instead.
- PhotoPost vBGallery users: The registration handling appears to not work properly when PhotoPost vBGallery is enabled.

From what I can tell, these known clashes have been caused by the other modification's coding. The author of vB Optimise will not even work with me to fix it. Until they improve their coding, I'm not sure if I can do anything about these issues. As far as I know, administrators that do not use the above modifications will not have any problems.

Installation / Upgrade
Unzip the package (madp.zip), upload the files to your forum location, and import the product file (allow overwrite if upgrading). Please read the ReadMe.txt file that is packaged with the modification for more information.

Please remember to mark this modification as installed if you use it!
If you like it, nominate it for the Mod of the Month!

Thank you!

[Jasonv81]

Originally Posted by Kiros72

There's no reason why this modification should have totally jacked up your board. It sounds like you're running a poorly coded modification along-side it. One that is active during posting.

Nonetheless, it seems like you're in quite a situation, so I'll try to help as much as possible. You will need to be able to view the member list, so as long as it is enabled for members, you'll be okay. Just find your account by searching through the members. Whenever you find it, the link to your profile should contain your User ID. Once you get your ID, use it for what you were planning to.

That should do it, although I'm utterly confused as to why you would create a new account and merge your administrator account with it...

UPDATE:

I found my userID and edited my includes/config.php file to have me listed as a superadministrator and it resumed all my administrator priviledges.

I still have the wierd problem of not being able post because it says my message is too short. When sending a PM I can type text in the PM and send it, but the person recieving it gets a blank message. Anyhow, here are my list of programs.....let me know if you think any of these run during posting.....keep in mind, this problem only occured when I installed the new version of AEdetector.

vBulletin 3.8.2
Cyb - Advanced 'New Posts' 1.9 Cyb - Advanced 'New Posts'
Cyb - Advanced Forum Statistics 4.5 Cyb - Advanced Forum Statistics
Cyb - Attention Zero-Posters 1.3 Cyb - Attention Zero-Posters
Cyb - Sticky-Closed-Poll Prefixes 1.8 Cyb - Sticky-Closed-Poll Prefixes
Cyb - Top Posters In Month X 1.0 Cyb - Top Posters In Month X
Cyb - Visitors in Last X Hours 2.0 Cyb - Visitors in Last X Hours
Is Bot 1.0.0 Registration Time Check
Multiple Account Detection & Prevention 1.1.3 Detects multiple logins, prevents multiple registrations, and notifies the administration.
Separate Sticky and Normal Threads 1.0.5 Separate Sticky and Normal Threads
vBSEO 3.3.0 vBulletin SEO
vBSEO :: Conditional Signatures 1.4.2 Add rel='nofollow' or disable signature conditioned to posting's length.
vBSEO :: Sitemap Generator 1.7 Generate a Google & Yahoo Sitemap for your Forums


I just tried Disabling every one of these mods and it did not fix the problem.....any thoughts? if you think you might be able to figure it out by looking at my board let me know and i'll PM you login details with admin priviledges.

[yagane]

I don't use:

Cyb - Attention Zero-Posters 1.3 Cyb - Attention Zero-Posters
Cyb - Sticky-Closed-Poll Prefixes 1.8 Cyb - Sticky-Closed-Poll Prefixes
Cyb - Top Posters In Month X 1.0 Cyb - Top Posters In Month X
Is Bot 1.0.0 Registration Time Check

All the others including the AE Detector are installed on my forum and works pretty well.

If I had this problem, I disable the Forum Plug in System, then I made a test, if works fine I should activated and test each one.

This kind of problems happens because you install a few mods and you didn't take the time to make test to check if all works fine. Maybe the problem is not on the mods, maybe you change a setting and you even remember.

Maybe this help you, maybe don't. Here is what I have installed on my forum and all works pretty well.

vBulletin - 3.8.4
Age Lock - 2.5 Pre Beta
All Albums - 2.5
AME - The Automatic Media Embeder - 2.0.2
Anime Lyrics - 1.2.0
Auto Delete/Move Thread After X days. - 2
Babylon - 1.2.0
Catalogo Temas - 1.2
Chief First Post - Every Page - 2.0.0
Custom Board Closed or Server Busy Message - 3.7.001
Cyb - Advanced 'New Posts' - 2.4
Cyb - Advanced Forum Rules - 4.0.2
Cyb - Advanced Forum Statistics - 6.6.1
Cyb - Advanced Permissions Based on Post Count - 4.4
Cyb - ChatBox - 2.3
Cyb - Check If Already Posted - 1.6
Cyb - Login To User Account - 2.3
Cyb - Moderating Stats - 1.6.1
Cyb - PayPal Donate - 4.8.2
Cyb - Sub-Forum Manager - 2.5.1
Default User Text Formatting - 1
Enhanced Reputation Checks - 3.8.001
Extended reputation display - 3.8.001
Fake Community Statistics - 0.22
Find My Posts In A Thread - 3.8.003
Flashchat Integration - 3.7.005
Flashchat v4: Who is chatting (Add On) - 3.7.002
GARS - 2.1.9
General Information - 2.1.1
GTSmiliebox - Move Smilies Below Editor - 3.7.0.0
Hide Links From Guests - 1.32
Inactive Users - 3.8.001
Latest Blogs - 1
Members who are using Flashchat - 3.7.002
Members who have Posted - 3.8.002
Members who have Visited - 3.8.002
Members Who Registered Today - 1.0.1
Miserable Users - 3.8.001
MixPod Playlist MP3 Player in Profile - 1.5
Multiple Account Detection & Prevention - 1.1.3
Multiple Login Detector - 1.03
Post Thank You Hack - 7.4
Prevent DoublePosts - 3.8.004
ProvB - Answer Forums - 1.0.4P
Ralles Auto Thread Closing - 1.8
Real ip detection - 3.8.001
Redirect Thread to URL - 1.0.1
Separate Sticky and Normal Threads - 3.0.0
Sig Of The Week - 2
Sorky13 - RSS Feed Links - V1.0.3 - 1.0.3
TCattd - The Image Resizer - 1.2.8
Twitter - Flash en el Perfil - 1
Unknown Location - 1.0.2
Usergroup Allow HTML - 3.5.0
Usergroup Color Bar - 2.0.0
Username HTML Markup - 2
vB Dummy ACP - 1.0.0
vB Post Templates - 1.5.0
vB Templates - 1.0.0
vBadvanced CMPS - 3.2.0
vBadvanced Dynamics - 1.2.0
vBadvanced Links Directory - 3.2.0
vBCode table - 0.1.7.1
vBExperience - 3.8.3
vBExperience - Post Thank You Hack Integration - 1.1.0
vBExperience Arm of Law - 1.0.0
vBExperience Level - 5
vBSEO - 3.3.0
vBSEO :: Conditional Signatures - 1.4.2
vBSEO :: Sitemap Generator - 2.5
vBStatus - 3
vBulletin Blog - 2.0.0
vBulletin Project Tools - 2.0.0
Welcome Panel Template Rewrite - 3.0.5

[Kiros72]

Originally Posted by Jasonv81

UPDATE:

I found my userID and edited my includes/config.php file to have me listed as a superadministrator and it resumed all my administrator priviledges.

I still have the wierd problem of not being able post because it says my message is too short. When sending a PM I can type text in the PM and send it, but the person recieving it gets a blank message. Anyhow, here are my list of programs.....let me know if you think any of these run during posting.....keep in mind, this problem only occured when I installed the new version of AEdetector.

vBulletin 3.8.2
Cyb - Advanced 'New Posts' 1.9 Cyb - Advanced 'New Posts'
Cyb - Advanced Forum Statistics 4.5 Cyb - Advanced Forum Statistics
Cyb - Attention Zero-Posters 1.3 Cyb - Attention Zero-Posters
Cyb - Sticky-Closed-Poll Prefixes 1.8 Cyb - Sticky-Closed-Poll Prefixes
Cyb - Top Posters In Month X 1.0 Cyb - Top Posters In Month X
Cyb - Visitors in Last X Hours 2.0 Cyb - Visitors in Last X Hours
Is Bot 1.0.0 Registration Time Check
Multiple Account Detection & Prevention 1.1.3 Detects multiple logins, prevents multiple registrations, and notifies the administration.
Separate Sticky and Normal Threads 1.0.5 Separate Sticky and Normal Threads
vBSEO 3.3.0 vBulletin SEO
vBSEO :: Conditional Signatures 1.4.2 Add rel='nofollow' or disable signature conditioned to posting's length.
vBSEO :: Sitemap Generator 1.7 Generate a Google & Yahoo Sitemap for your Forums


I just tried Disabling every one of these mods and it did not fix the problem.....any thoughts? if you think you might be able to figure it out by looking at my board let me know and i'll PM you login details with admin priviledges.

Just like yag mentioned, I suggest you disable some modifications (primarily the ones having to do with posts) and see if you can pinpoint the problem.

[Jasonv81]

Originally Posted by Kiros72

Just like yag mentioned, I suggest you disable some modifications (primarily the ones having to do with posts) and see if you can pinpoint the problem.

I've already DISABLED every single mod....including yours....and the problem is still there.

also, when i try to select a checkbox that selects multiple checkboxes beneath it, such as deleting all your PM's on a page, or selecting all the tables on Maintenance -> Repair/Optimize Tables......it doesnt select all the boxes, you have to check each individually.

My offer is still open if you want me to give you admin access to my board to see if you can figure it out. V-Bulletin's own tech support is not much help.

[yagane]

Looks like the problem is with the vBull Script or maybe in second stage with your server configuration.

In fact your main shoot is with vBull Tech Support, they are great, they fix my forum a couple of times.

I could guess, but I think your problem is with a bad upload of your vBull files:

• You didn't read the instructions well and upload all in automatic mode,
• One or some of the files is corrupt and need to be reuploaded
• Maybe you should try to disable the AJAX functions.
  
• Your server configuration needs a little tune up.

If someone try to fix your problem he will need admin access and ftp access. Maybe even a copy of your vBull script, because they are labeled and is probably he needs to upload some files or all again.

If I were you, I try to update to 3.8.4, maybe that fix the problem, you have to reupload all the files in the process, if the problem persist ask vBull Support to take a look.

[Jasonv81]

Originally Posted by yagane

Looks like the problem is with the vBull Script or maybe in second stage with your server configuration.

In fact your main shoot is with vBull Tech Support, they are great, they fix my forum a couple of times.

I could guess, but I think your problem is with a bad upload of your vBull files:

• You didn't read the instructions well and upload all in automatic mode,
• One or some of the files is corrupt and need to be reuploaded
• Maybe you should try to disable the AJAX functions.
  
• Your server configuration needs a little tune up.

If someone try to fix your problem he will need admin access and ftp access. Maybe even a copy of your vBull script, because they are labeled and is probably he needs to upload some files or all again.

If I were you, I try to update to 3.8.4, maybe that fix the problem, you have to reupload all the files in the process, if the problem persist ask vBull Support to take a look.

the instructions i had for VB3.8.2 never said to upload in anything other than automatic mode.....if i upload 3.8.4 what mode should i upload in?

[willy888]

I INSTALLED it ok set the settings

How can I find already register members ips that have multiple accounts

[andrew67]

I just upgraded from 3.6.0 to 3.8.4 and removed the former AE detector and installed this one. All seems to be working fine , so thank you very much for a great product. Its very much needed on busy forums.

( Just posted to confirm no issues on 3.8.4 and to say thanks )

[andrew67]

Originally Posted by willy888

I INSTALLED it ok set the settings

How can I find already register members ips that have multiple accounts

Wait for them to use the other account....you will be alerted when they do.

[pneo]

I apologise if this has already been answered, but there is a lot of posts to go through.

I've installed on 3.8.4 no problems. It all seems to be working fine except for one minor issue. If a user is "moderated", i.e. allowed by an admin, before they verify their email address, they are then normal registered users without having to follow the email link to verify their address. I'm not sure if this is a problem with the modification or vbulletin itself.

Thanks.