Originally Posted by
bplex
Email address doesn't work because email addresses can be created and destroyed at the push of a button. You ban an address, they can simply create a new one. It is even possible to create "disposable" addresses that only last for a short period of time (usually, just long enough for someone to register their account).
IP Addresses also do not work because about 95% of the average home internet accounts on the internet have dynamic IP addresses (meaning that they change after a set period of time). Many DSL and Cable providers often tie the DHCP lease to the MAC address behind the modem (as opposed to the modem itself) which would mean that if the user is using any modern day router (which most households are), they could simply login to their router, change the MAC address of what it presents to the modem, then power-cycle the modem, causing it to grab a new IP address when it comes back online. Thus, banning an IP address would only temporarily prevent a person from viewing your site. They could still regain access if they changed their IP address.
The only true way for a system like this to be effective would be for you to obtain "PI", or "personal identifiable" information. That information could then be tied to something that is harder to change, like a financial instrument (such as a bank account or credit card number). However, vShare doesn't have anywhere close to the security requirements to obtain or hold such information legally so that is out of the question.
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