accessing some sites

[MARKBLACK]

Hi I am wondering is it possible for computers to be barred access to different servers if so how is it done, my kids use my machine when i'm at work (the machine is for the home really)I have been told each computer on line has its own number is this right ? or is the the phone line (the number) the thing that is the identifier.
MB

[DrZaius]

Hi MARKBLACK,

Every computer connected to the internet has its own IP address, a type of "phone number" that lets you connect to that computer or website. The websites address (eg. www.somesite.com) is just a name assigned to that specific IP address. For example, if a website has an IP address of 192.168.0.1, and both www.somesite.com and www.anothersite.com point to that address, then both will show up as the same website. If you are using Internet Explorer you can add the "bad" websites to the Restricted Sites list (Internet Options->Security), but it has no password protection so if you son knows anything about computers he can easily remove them. The best way would be to get a program like Norton Internet Security, which not only provides a firewall but the parental control features needed to block sites. Hope that helps.

[MARKBLACK]

hi DrZaius maybe I worded my question wrong as I was in a rush I have had problems accessing some sites I use the site regular it has a forum like yours here but on a different subject the server seems somehow to of stopped me replying I was concern because I thought the kids may have done something, you mentioned isp address's like phone lines would it help if I tried my other phoneline?

[DrZaius]

MARKBLACK,

Sorry, I misunderstood your question, I thought you where asking how to block certain sites.

How long have you not been able to post? If it just happened for no reason then it's most likely a problem with their server and not your connection.

Also, try clearing your cookies (Internet Explorer->Tools->Internet Files->Temporary Internet Files->Delete files...) and re-login.

Hope that helps.

[MARKBLACK]

Hi DrZaius, thanks for getting back to me its all just started I did receive a message saying something on the lines of we have tracked you computers address and you cannot post here, "what address I don't know", when we access a website do computer leave or have some address that can identify the person who is on there site it seems very strange, I havn't done what you said yet but I will in the morning I am just asking why its in my head, I am getting concerned to think somebody will be able to identify me by this so called address.
MB

[DrZaius]

MARKBLACK,

If you can not post on the forums then perhaps you have been banned for some reason, or maybe on accident. Email the board moderator and they should know how to un-ban you. If you have a cable modem then you most likely have a static IP address (Internet Protocol address, not ISP) so they can ban you based on that address. Hope that helps.

[glc]

When we ban someone here, we ban both the username and the whole IP block (because 99% of dialup accounts use dynamic IP addressing out of a pool, a different IP is assigned to you out of the ISP's assigned range every time you connect) - so it's very possible someone else who uses the same ISP as you do is the one who has been banned from that particular forum. Every time you post to a forum, your IP address is logged.

The way to test this is to use a freebie like Netzero or a totally different ISP and try to use the forum - if you are still banned, it's your username that's been banned for whatever reason. You must clear your cookies first.

[MARKBLACK]

Hi DrZaius I use a 56k modem maybe you are right I've been banned thats how it looks the kids said they didn't do it so, if this certain forum can ban me they must be able to track my machine down somehow, this cencerns me to think that I can be spyed on in this way. I am always concerned that others know our doing's over the net.

[MARKBLACK]

Hi glc

Sorry to go on but if everytime we log on to a site do we logon with a different IP address each time, or does each ISP have the same IP address
MB
also is this netzero going to change any settins on my machine

[glc]

Your ISP has a RANGE of IP addresses assigned - and you are randomly assigned one out of that pool every time you log on unless you have a static IP - which is rare with a dialup account.

All Netzero will do to your system is change your home page - no big deal.