Block (MediaWiki)

Block (MediaWiki)

A block in MediaWiki is a restriction placed on a user that prevents them from making further edits to a wiki, or from certain actions on the wiki. It is a crucial administrative tool used to combat vandalism, disruptive behavior, and other violations of wiki policies. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding blocking, its purposes, how it works, different block types, how to appeal a block, and best practices for administrators when issuing blocks.

Purpose of Blocking

Blocking is not intended as a form of punishment, though it often results in that consequence. Its primary purposes are:

Preventing Further Damage: The most immediate goal is to stop a user from continuing to damage the wiki through vandalism, spam, or other harmful edits.
Protecting the Wiki: Blocking safeguards the integrity of the wiki's content and the work of other editors.
Discouraging Disruptive Behavior: A block can dissuade a user from continuing disruptive behavior, although it is not always effective.
Enforcing Policies: Blocking enforces the site policies and guidelines that govern the wiki.
Protecting Other Users: Blocking can protect other users from harassment, personal attacks, or other abusive behavior.

Reasons for Blocking

Administrators and other users with blocking permissions may issue blocks for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to:

Vandalism: Deliberately altering wiki content in a destructive manner. This includes adding irrelevant information, deleting content, or changing text to be offensive. Vandalism on Wikipedia provides context.
Spam: Posting unsolicited advertisements or links to external websites. This violates the wiki's policies regarding self-promotion and external links.
Disruptive Editing: Engaging in behavior that consistently disrupts the collaborative editing process. This can include edit warring, personal attacks, and repeatedly ignoring consensus. Edit warring is a common cause for blocking.
Sockpuppetry: Creating multiple accounts to circumvent blocking, gain undue influence, or manipulate discussions. Sockpuppetry is a severe violation of most wiki policies.
Impersonation: Pretending to be another user.
Harassment and Personal Attacks: Engaging in abusive or threatening behavior towards other users. Civility is a core principle of wiki communities.
Copyright Violations: Copying and pasting copyrighted material without permission. Copyright issues are taken very seriously.
Revealing Personal Information: Publicly disclosing personal information about other users (doxing).
Bypassing Blocks: Attempting to circumvent an existing block using different usernames or IP addresses.
Violation of Terms of Use: Any violation of the wiki's Terms of Use.

How Blocking Works

MediaWiki blocks can be applied based on either a username or an IP address (or a range of IP addresses).

Username Blocking: This prevents a specific registered user from logging in and making edits. It is the most common type of block for registered users.
IP Address Blocking: This prevents users accessing the wiki from a specific IP address from making edits, even if they are not logged in. This is often used to block vandalism from anonymous users. IP address blocks can be problematic as they may affect multiple users who share the same IP address (e.g., users on a school or company network).

When a user attempts to edit the wiki after being blocked, they will see a message informing them of the block and its duration. The message typically includes the reason for the block and instructions on how to appeal it.

The block is stored in the Special:BlockLog log page, which provides a record of all blocks issued on the wiki.

Block Duration and Types

MediaWiki offers a range of block durations, from temporary to permanent. Administrators should carefully consider the severity of the offense and the user's history when determining the appropriate block duration.

Infinite Block: A permanent block that prevents the user from ever editing the wiki again. This is reserved for the most egregious offenses.
Long-Term Block (e.g., 1 week, 1 month, 6 months): Used for serious offenses where a temporary block is insufficient.
Short-Term Block (e.g., 1 hour, 1 day, 3 days): Used for minor offenses or to give a user a warning.
Temporary Block (e.g., 30 minutes): Used to immediately stop disruptive editing while an administrator investigates.

In addition to the duration, blocks can also have different settings:

Prevent user from editing their own watch list: This prevents the blocked user from modifying their watchlist, which can be useful in preventing them from monitoring edits.
Prevent user from sending email: This prevents the blocked user from sending email to other users on the wiki.
Hide user's username in edit summaries and page histories: This hides the blocked user's username in edit summaries and page histories, making it more difficult for them to circumvent the block.
Prevent user from creating new accounts: This prevents the blocked user from creating new accounts to bypass the block. This is particularly important when dealing with sockpuppetry.

How to Check if a User is Blocked

There are several ways to check if a user is blocked:

Attempt to view the user's user page: If a user is blocked, their user page will display a block message.
Check the Special:BlockLog log page: This log page lists all blocks issued on the wiki.
Use the Special:ListUsers page and filter by blocked users: This allows you to view a list of all blocked users.
Attempt to edit a page while logged in as the user (if you are an administrator): If the user is blocked, you will see a block message.

Appealing a Block

Users who believe they have been wrongly blocked can appeal the block by:

Using the unblock request form: Most wikis provide a special page for submitting unblock requests (Special:Unblock.
Contacting an administrator: Users can contact an administrator directly via their talk page or email (if available).
Posting on the wiki's community discussion page: Some wikis have a dedicated page for discussing blocking issues.

Administrators should review unblock requests promptly and fairly. They should consider the user's explanation, their editing history, and the reason for the block.

Best Practices for Administrators Issuing Blocks

Administrators should follow these best practices when issuing blocks:

Document the reason for the block: Clearly state the reason for the block in the block log and the block message.
Consider the severity of the offense: Choose a block duration that is appropriate for the severity of the offense.
Review the user's editing history: Consider the user's past behavior before issuing a block.
Give a warning if appropriate: For minor offenses, a warning may be sufficient.
Be impartial: Avoid issuing blocks based on personal feelings or disagreements.
Follow established policies: Ensure that the block is consistent with the wiki's policies and guidelines.
Be transparent: Explain the reason for the block to the user and be open to discussion.
Avoid escalating conflicts: Do not engage in arguments with blocked users.
Collaborate with other administrators: Discuss complex blocking issues with other administrators.
Utilize Special:BlockIP to block entire IP ranges cautiously: Blocking IP ranges can affect many innocent users.

Technical Aspects of Blocks

MediaWiki stores block information in the `ipblocks` table in the database. This table contains information about the blocked user or IP address, the block duration, the block reason, and the administrator who issued the block.

The blocking mechanism is implemented in the `BlockManager` class in the MediaWiki core code. This class handles the logic for checking if a user is blocked, displaying block messages, and preventing blocked users from making edits.

Understanding these technical aspects can be helpful for developers and administrators who need to troubleshoot blocking issues or customize the blocking system.

Relationship to Other Wiki Features

Blocking often interacts with other wiki features:

Watchlists: Blocks can prevent users from modifying their watchlists.
Email: Blocks can prevent users from sending email to other users.
Account Creation: Blocks can prevent users from creating new accounts.
Reporting Tools: The reporting tools (e.g., Special:AbuseFilter) can trigger automatic blocks based on predefined criteria.
Revision History: The block history is recorded in the revision history of the block log page.
User Rights: Blocking a user with administrative rights revokes those rights during the block period.

Advanced Blocking Strategies

Range Blocking: Blocking a range of IP addresses can be effective for stopping vandalism from a shared network, but it must be done cautiously to avoid blocking legitimate users. Tools for identifying IP ranges.
CAPTCHA Challenges: Requiring blocked users to solve CAPTCHA challenges before making edits can help prevent them from circumventing the block.
Rate Limiting: Limiting the number of edits a user can make in a given period can help prevent disruptive editing.
Abuse Filter Integration: Integrating the blocking system with an abuse filter can automate the blocking of users who engage in harmful behavior. AbuseFilter is a powerful tool for preventing vandalism.
Cross-Wiki Blocking: Some wikis participate in cross-wiki blocking, where blocks issued on one wiki are automatically applied to other wikis. Cross-wiki blocking is a complex but effective strategy.
Analyzing Editing Patterns: Using tools to analyze editing patterns can help identify sockpuppets and other disruptive users. Wiki-Watch analyzes editing patterns.
Monitoring Block Evasion Attempts: Regularly monitoring for attempts to circumvent blocks is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the wiki. Dealing with disruptive users requires constant vigilance.
Utilizing CheckUser Tools: Administrators with CheckUser rights can investigate potential sockpuppetry by examining IP address connections. CheckUser is a powerful but sensitive tool.
Collaboration with other wikis: Sharing information about blocked users with other wikis can help prevent them from disrupting multiple communities. Global Abuse Filter helps to coordinate blocking efforts.
Employing behavioral analysis techniques: Studying user behavior can help identify malicious actors. Detecting malicious users using behavioral analysis.
Leveraging machine learning algorithms: Implementing machine learning models can automate the detection of vandalism and disruptive behavior. Automated vandalism detection using machine learning.
Applying anomaly detection methods: Identifying unusual editing patterns can signal potential abusive activity. Anomaly detection for malicious user detection.
Implementing trend analysis to identify emerging threats: Monitoring editing trends can help detect new forms of vandalism or disruptive behavior. Trend analysis of wiki vandalism.
Utilizing sentiment analysis to identify hostile communication: Detecting negative sentiment in user interactions can help identify harassment or personal attacks. Sentiment analysis of Wikipedia talk pages.
Integrating with threat intelligence feeds: Using external threat intelligence feeds can help identify known malicious actors. Recorded Future provides threat intelligence.
Employing advanced IP reputation systems: Utilizing IP reputation systems can help identify and block IP addresses associated with malicious activity. Spamhaus provides IP reputation services.
Implementing two-factor authentication: Encouraging users to enable two-factor authentication can help prevent account compromise and unauthorized edits. Two-factor authentication explained.
Strengthening account creation policies: Implementing stricter account creation policies can help prevent the creation of sockpuppet accounts.
Regularly auditing blocking logs: Reviewing blocking logs can identify patterns of abuse and help refine blocking strategies.
Providing training for administrators: Ensuring that administrators are properly trained in blocking procedures and policies is crucial.

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