Computer Identification

[DCopper04]

Does anyone know how online poker sites identify your computer? I'm sure they record your IP address, but what other information do they gather?

The reason I ask is because I have three computers in my home. On my main computer, I was recently blocked from accessing PartyPoker (I think it might be because I logged in on Party and Empire at the same time, stupid me.) Although I am unable to login from that computer, I am still able to login from the other two computers in my home. I have wireless internet; all three computers are hooked up to the same wireless router, and thus, all three computers have the same IP address. Since the other two computers are still able to access Party, that means the server must be blocking something other than my IP address. What could it be?

[TajaUk]

Might be some form of cookie on that computer. Register file or similar thing. Try ad-aware and remove anything is collects.

[Aequitas58]

I'm pretty sure it's IP address.

This would explain the wireless networking situation. When you set up a router, you basically get a "master" IP address. The leeching computers get different IPs w/ numbers off by 1. It'll look something like xxx.xxx.xx.2 or xxx.xxx.xx.3, etc.

I wouldn't how how to fix the situation, so, g'luck.

[badblood44]

It could also be something in the windows registry. Not sure exactly what however.

[2Tone]

And was one of the reasons I was considering nuking my machine and starting clean (see prior thread). I'd also add a word of caution that anyone less than an expert user should be careful about screwing around with their windows registry, as deleting/modifying the wrong thing can cripple your computer.

[hackers238]

Routers can be tricky though, because not all are the same. The most common home router, (Linksys 4 port), really only has 1 IP address, and then makes a whole subsystem of IPs once that you get into the network. From this system, All computers are treated as the same computer once they are logged on...

But depending on how you set it up, you can have multiple external IP addresses in the same network, which is almost always used for large businesses, as well as sometimes for home networks. In this system you can have seperate IPs and therefor seperate entities on the PP and Empire database.

And I think that one of the only methods they use to track you is IP and cookies.

[DCopper04]

Thanks for all your suggestions, but they haven't helped yet. I cleared my cookies and that didn't do anything. I even downloaded one of those programs that scrambles your IP address and that didn't work either (although I have no idea how those things work.) There must be something other than cookies and IP address that they use to track computers.

I was talking to someone about this problem, he said there is something called a CAM address that they could possibly track. He didn't know exactly what he was talking about, but he said the CAM address has something to do with your Internet card or something, and that it is unique to each computer. Does anyone know anything about CAM addresses? Thanks by the way for all your help, even if it doesn't solve the problem.

[DCopper04]

I Emailed PartyPoker asking them what the deal was, they responded saying that someone using my computer has engaged in some "fraudulent activity" but they would not elaborate. I guess they consider signing on to both Party and Empire at the same time to be fraudulent, but I guess I understand why they don't want people doing that. I asked them how they identify the computers that people use, and they would only say that they record IP numbers, and that their other methods of identification would remain confidential. I asked them to allow my computer access again and they said that they couldn't allow it. I just wish they would realize it was an honest mistake and unlock my computer.

I am still able to access my account through partypoker.com, I just can't login to the software. So I haven't lost my money, it could be much worse, it's just extremely annoying that Party is being so uncompromising.

[Talking Poker]

Do you mean a MAC address, maybe? I doubt that it's, but mess aroundwith your router settings and you'll see it.

I assume you deleted anything and everything having to do with Party off of your machine, right? ie, there's no leftover c:\Program Files\Party Poker folder, right?

You can also try changing your computer name (System settings), but I doubt that would do anything. For all I know, when Party red flags you, they throw some entry into your registry saying so.... I'm willing to bet blowing away the computer and starting from scratch would do the trick.

[jimmym]

Virtually All Poker sites do not allow more than 1 sign up from a single address, reasons being that with more than 1 playing from an address you could control games.

The problem with changing your user name or account but still playing from the same address is that if you happen to win big money or the poker site does a random check on your IP address you will void any winnings if you have made any name changes without informing the poker site first.

It doesnt matter which pc you use as the details will still show the same IP address, more sites are now working together and are checking accounts and banning players who have tried to play using more than 1 computer and 1 name, I recently spoke to a admin assistant from pokerstars about my idea to start a sydicate, and was told that I have to be very carefull as any bet or hand played out of order that drew any suspition of a fraud would result in all members losing there rights to play and possibly any cash in the accounts.

The reason for security is obvious and the fact that many players are joining the same site using different family names to collect bonus offers, be carefull folks as I said it doesnt matter which pc you use the address will allways be the same and if you use some routers the sites wont allow you to join if they suspect you are trying to hide something.

Jim.

[TajaUk]

Yep I had to have special permission from stars to have two accounts from my compter. 1 for me and 1 for the wife. At no time could both names be logged in at the same time or it was against the rules.

[DCopper04]

I found how to fix it. Whenever you use PartyPoker or one of its skins, the server tags your computer with a file in the Windows Registry. I just had to find it and delete it, and now the error message is gone. For anyone interested in knowing what it was:

--On the START menu, click RUN
--Type REGEDIT
--Then, go to the following folders:
-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
-SOFTWARE
-CALCULATOR
-MODE
--In MODE there should be a file called UCID. I guess this is the file that they use to track your computer.

I just deleted that file and now I'm able to sign on again.....no thanks to PartyPoker Customer Support, those bastards.....

[hackers238]

Haha... I wonder if this is a secret that they don't want to get out... Quick, delete this post before they find it and delete the forum!

[jimmym]

Well Done DC.

Some nice detective work done by you,,,,,Allthough not a member of party I went into the files you pointed out and found lots of identification codes for other companys and sites.
The only problem is that I wouldnt know wether to delete them or not

Big Brother is out there and watching every move we make

Ps; you can ask TP if you could be the sites resident computer hacker

Jim.

[DCopper04]

Hahaha......I wish I could take credit, but no, I am not the one who found this file. I originally found this information on another poker message board, and have since found it on several other message boards concerning the same subject. By no means is this information a "big secret" anymore, but it has yet to become common knowledge within the online poker community. I just thought I would let everyone here know about the file in case they were having problems similar to the ones I was having. Sometimes, when Customer Support won't help out, you gotta take matters into your own hands.

[Talking Poker]

Well, thanks for posting it on this message board............. hacker