[AC-Admins] ANTHROCHAT.NET: Proxy Filter

[Scott Garron]

Dan Skunk wrote:
> I notice some of the more popular channels here are doing thinks like
> making channels moderated and or only letting registered users join.
> Probably to prevent people from being able to evade bans and spam.
> 
> Ever thought of setting up bot or service that could check if users
> were on open proxies or web chats so channel owners would have the
> option of having the bot/service automatically remove them?

      We've thought about it, but it turns out that the effective use of 
+m, +i, and +R on channels serves the same purpose - which is why 
they're being used.  It encourages legitimate users to be registered in 
Services, which gives channel operators more control over how their 
channel is accessed.  This is a much more effective way of handling 
undesirable users than some fallible automated process that sets bans 
until it's blue in the face.  I say fallible because no matter how good 
a proxy scanner is, people will ALWAYS find a way around a 
hostmask-based ban.  Whereas with +R, +i, and +m, it doesn't matter what 
the hostmask is.

      Now, balancing convenience with control all boils down to how 
efficient channel moderators are at managing their channels.  In an 
ideal setting, there are enough moderators who actually pay attention to 
what goes on in their channels, and can set things like +R, +m and +i 
only when there are "problems", then unset them when things settle down. 
  Ones who choose to use those modes on a constant basis have chosen to 
take a less convenient to the users and more convenient to them 
approach.  In the end, it's up to the channel owners and moderators to 
figure out the most effective way to manage their channels.

      Now, all that being said, it would probably be nice to have a 
module in services that monitored whether or not a user was connected to 
the network via known proxy methods.  It wouldn't ban them from the 
network, outright, because I don't believe that would solve any 
problems.  A more effective way to handle it would be to put that 
control into the hands of the channel owners.  If there was a setting in 
chanserv that said, "automatically ban proxied users", it would 
effectively do what you're suggesting.  It would possibly help to 
automate things, but I'm certain that more persistent (ab)users would 
figure out ways to get around it.

      Availability of a module like that all comes down to time and 
effort.  I don't believe anything like that exists yet, so it would have 
to be developed.  I don't have the time to develop it, and I don't think 
any of the rest of us do, either.  So, if you're volunteering your time, 
I can point you in the right direction for versions and interface 
documentation to get started on it.  Otherwise, I think that the tools 
currently available are sufficient.

-- 
Scott "Simba" Garron