CheckUser

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  1. CheckUser

CheckUser is a powerful, but often misunderstood, tool available to administrators and certain designated users on MediaWiki-based wikis. It allows them to investigate user accounts to determine if they are being used by the same person, even if different usernames are employed. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of CheckUser, including its purpose, functionality, how it works, its limitations, ethical considerations, and how it’s used in practice. It is geared towards beginners, assuming limited prior knowledge of the technical aspects of wiki administration.

== What is CheckUser and Why is it Needed?

Wikis, by their very nature, are collaborative platforms open to contributions from anyone. While this openness is a strength, it also makes them vulnerable to abuse. Common forms of abuse that CheckUser assists in combating include:

  • **Sockpuppetry:** The practice of a single user creating multiple accounts to circumvent blocks, gain unfair advantages in discussions, or create a false impression of consensus. This is a violation of most wiki communities' policies, often detailed in the Blocking policy.
  • **Evasion of Bans:** Users who have been blocked for disruptive behavior may attempt to return to the wiki using new accounts. CheckUser helps identify these returning users.
  • **Vote Manipulation:** In wikis with voting systems (e.g., for administrator elections or featured content selection), sockpuppets can be used to skew the results.
  • **Harassment:** A single user might create multiple accounts to harass or intimidate other users.
  • **Disruptive Editing:** Coordinated disruptive editing across multiple accounts can be detected.

Without tools like CheckUser, it would be extremely difficult to identify and address these abuses effectively. Manual investigation based solely on editing patterns is often insufficient, especially with sophisticated users attempting to mask their activities. CheckUser provides a technical layer of analysis that complements, but does not replace, community judgment and Conflict resolution.

== How CheckUser Works: The Technical Details

CheckUser does *not* reveal a user's real-world identity. It focuses on technical details associated with the user's connection to the wiki, specifically:

  • **IP Address:** The numerical label assigned to a device connected to a network. While IP addresses can change, they are often a key indicator of shared usage. Understanding IP addresses is fundamental to understanding CheckUser.
  • **User Agent:** A string of text sent by the user's browser to the wiki server, identifying the browser and operating system. While easily spoofed, it can provide clues.
  • **HTTP Referer:** The address of the webpage from which the user navigated to the wiki. Less reliable than IP address or User Agent.
  • **Cookies:** Small files stored on the user's computer by the wiki server. While CheckUser doesn't directly examine cookie *content* (due to privacy concerns), it can detect if accounts share the same cookie settings.

CheckUser compares these data points across different accounts. It doesn’t simply look for identical matches; it searches for *similarities* and *patterns*. Here's a breakdown of the process:

1. **Data Collection:** When a user interacts with the wiki, the server logs the IP address, User Agent, and other relevant data. 2. **Hashing:** CheckUser doesn't store IP addresses in plain text for privacy reasons. Instead, it uses a cryptographic hash function to create a one-way representation of the data. This means you can't reverse-engineer the original IP address from the hash. 3. **Comparison:** The CheckUser tool allows administrators to input one or more usernames. It then searches the database for other accounts that share similar hash values for the collected data. 4. **Results Interpretation:** The results are presented to the administrator in a format indicating the degree of similarity between the accounts. This is *not* a definitive proof of shared identity, but rather a strong indicator that further investigation is warranted. Analyzing these results requires expertise and careful consideration. See CheckUser analysis techniques for more detail.

== Accessing and Using the CheckUser Tool

Access to the CheckUser tool is strictly controlled. It is typically granted only to experienced administrators and designated CheckUser users who have demonstrated a commitment to responsible and ethical use. The process for becoming a CheckUser varies depending on the wiki, but generally involves:

  • **Application:** Submitting a formal application to the wiki's administrators, outlining your understanding of the tool and your commitment to its responsible use.
  • **Training:** Completing a training process to learn how to use the tool effectively and interpret the results accurately. Often this includes reviewing CheckUser guidelines.
  • **Community Trust:** Demonstrating a history of responsible behavior and good judgment within the wiki community.

Once granted access, the CheckUser tool is usually accessible through a special link in the administrator interface. The interface allows you to:

  • **Enter Usernames:** Input the usernames you wish to investigate.
  • **Specify Data Types:** Select which data types you want to compare (IP address, User Agent, etc.).
  • **Set Similarity Thresholds:** Adjust the sensitivity of the search. Higher thresholds will only return accounts with very strong similarities, while lower thresholds will return a broader range of results.
  • **View Results:** Examine the results, which will typically be presented in a table showing the degree of similarity between the accounts.

== Interpreting CheckUser Results: The Nuances of Similarity

It is crucial to understand that CheckUser results are *not* absolute proof of shared identity. They provide evidence, but that evidence must be interpreted carefully in conjunction with other information. Here's a breakdown of common result scenarios:

  • **Strong Match (0% - 20%):** Indicates a very high probability that the accounts are operated by the same person. This is often seen when accounts share the same IP address and User Agent.
  • **Moderate Match (21% - 40%):** Suggests a possible connection between the accounts. This might occur when accounts share an IP address but have different User Agents, or vice versa. Further investigation is needed.
  • **Weak Match (41% - 60%):** Indicates a low probability of a connection. This could be due to chance or the use of a VPN or proxy server. Usually, this level of similarity is insufficient to warrant any action.
  • **No Match (61% - 100%):** Indicates no significant similarity between the accounts.
    • Important Considerations:**
  • **Dynamic IP Addresses:** Many internet service providers (ISPs) assign dynamic IP addresses, meaning they change periodically. Just because two accounts share an IP address at one point in time doesn't necessarily mean they are operated by the same person.
  • **Shared IP Addresses:** Multiple users can share the same IP address, such as in a household, school, or office.
  • **VPNs and Proxies:** Users can mask their IP address by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or proxy server. CheckUser can sometimes detect the use of VPNs, but it’s not always reliable. A discussion on VPN detection is available.
  • **User Agent Spoofing:** Users can easily change their User Agent string, making it an unreliable indicator.
  • **False Positives:** CheckUser can sometimes produce false positives, meaning it identifies a connection between accounts that are actually operated by different people.

== Limitations of CheckUser

CheckUser is a powerful tool, but it has significant limitations:

  • **Privacy Concerns:** The use of CheckUser raises privacy concerns, as it involves collecting and analyzing personal data. Wikis must have clear policies governing its use and ensure that it is used responsibly. See CheckUser privacy policy.
  • **Circumvention:** Sophisticated users can circumvent CheckUser by using VPNs, proxies, or Tor.
  • **False Negatives:** CheckUser may fail to detect shared accounts if the users are careful to mask their identities.
  • **Limited Scope:** CheckUser only analyzes technical data associated with the wiki itself. It cannot access information from other websites or services.
  • **Interpretation Required:** The results of a CheckUser query are not self-explanatory. They require careful interpretation and consideration of other evidence. Understanding CheckUser result interpretation is critical.

== Ethical Considerations and Best Practices

Using CheckUser ethically is paramount. Here are some best practices:

  • **Transparency:** Wikis should have a clear and publicly accessible policy outlining how CheckUser is used.
  • **Minimization:** Only collect and analyze the minimum amount of data necessary to achieve the desired outcome.
  • **Confidentiality:** CheckUser results should be treated as confidential and only shared with authorized personnel.
  • **Due Process:** Always investigate thoroughly before taking any action based on CheckUser results. Give the users involved an opportunity to explain their actions.
  • **Avoid Prejudgment:** Don't assume guilt based solely on CheckUser results.
  • **Documentation:** Keep detailed records of all CheckUser investigations, including the results, the rationale for any actions taken, and any relevant communication with the users involved.
  • **Regular Audits:** Conduct regular audits of CheckUser usage to ensure that it is being used responsibly and ethically.

== CheckUser and the Law

The legality of using CheckUser can vary depending on the jurisdiction. Wikis should consult with legal counsel to ensure that their CheckUser policies comply with all applicable laws and regulations, particularly those related to data privacy. See Legal considerations for CheckUser.

== Advanced Techniques & Resources

For more in-depth knowledge, consider exploring these resources:



Blocking policy Conflict resolution IP addresses CheckUser analysis techniques CheckUser guidelines CheckUser privacy policy CheckUser result interpretation CheckUser scripting CheckUser and range blocks Legal considerations for CheckUser

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