Should VPN's be banned on forums?

[futurerich50]

Ultimately, it is up to the forum administrators to decide whether or not to allow the use of VPNs. Some forums may have strict rules against their use, while others may allow them under certain conditions. For example, it would be okay to use a VPN responsibly and for legitimate purposes. If you are simply looking for greater online privacy and security, then a VPN can be a great option. However, if your intention is to evade the ban or account restrictions then using a VPN is not okay. I think really it comes down to the rules that the admin has implemented and members using common sense while protecting their privacy.

Should VPN's be banned on forums?

 

[Carlos X]

Yes. I ban accounts that use VPNs. The reason is for the most part - for the most part - the account is associated with spam. And sometimes they are circumventing the requisit of the laws of the forum. Like one account per person or one account per IP address. For the most part they're just trouble.

 

[Cam]

Given how common VPN usage has become, I really don’t think it’s wise to ban them. No telling how many individuals you’re cutting off from accessing your community. Sure, they could disable their VPN, but will they?

 

[Nomad]

Most of the advertising companies do not register impression and clicks when they come through VPN, therefore, I am against using VPN.

 

[Carlos X]

Given how common VPN usage has become, I really don’t think it’s wise to ban them. No telling how many individuals you’re cutting off from accessing your community. Sure, they could disable their VPN, but will they?

Then, you are gonna deal with troublemakers. Whatever, its your website, YOUR headache.

 

[MrDawn]

I understand that people use TOR and free VPNs to wreak havok but we also get as many trouble makers using their own regular IP causing problems on other forums. I think as long as they follow your rules, it shouldn't matter whether they're using a proxy or a vpn.

 

[Gizmo]

I'm not too fussed with what people use on my forum so long as they use anything they use for good use instead of malicious. I don't have my staff on my forum watching out for them though. Anyone could cause trouble on a forum even if they didn't use a VPN.

 

[Page]

VPN allows them to go to al sites as some location would block them

 

[Ravenfreak]

I'm okay with people using VPNs as long as they aren't spammers of course. Some people prefer to use a VPN for privacy reasons with no ill intent.

 

[futurerich50]

I'm okay with people using VPNs as long as they aren't spammers of course. Some people prefer to use a VPN for privacy reasons with no ill intent.

100% but services like StopForumSpam can help other website owners. If a trouble user uses a forum on a VPN you can add them to the database to prevent them from doing it to others. It’s all about using you’re discretion in the situation you’re faced with.

 

[Carlos X]

100% but services like StopForumSpam can help other website owners. If a trouble user uses a forum on a VPN you can add them to the database to prevent them from doing it to others. It’s all about using you’re discretion in the situation you’re faced with.

I love these honeypot API's. They help forums track registrations at the front door. That's why I love xenForo's implementations.

 

[guyyanthony]

I'm not too fussed with what people use on my forum so long as they use anything they use for good use instead of malicious. I don't have my staff on my forum watching out for them though. Anyone could cause trouble on a forum even if they didn't use a VPN.

i'm on the same page as you. 🙂

 

[Moonface]

I don't even know how I'd tell a user is using a VPN, but even if they were I don't really care so long as they aren't breaking any rules.

 

[Shortie_]

Knowing how much VPN's are now used all over the internet, I do not believe it is wise to ban VPNs completely from forums but instead, put other things in place to prevent spam without possibly blocking genuine people that could become active members.

 

[Katrina]

I think that VPNs might be okay for members, but perhaps staff should not be allowed to use them. You never know what the cat will drag in.

 

[Carlos X]

I don't even know how I'd tell a user is using a VPN, but even if they were I don't really care so long as they aren't breaking any rules.

If you have xenForo, it shows their IP address, with a LINK to their background. If you don't have xenForo, use "whatismyaddress" website.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Personally, I would never ban them.

If people want to have more privacy online, IMO, it's their right. If you get legit users from China and Iran who want to freely use the internet without their insane government blocking them, then more power to them. But anyone else can embrace privacy, too.

I don't care if you use a VPN and I don't care if you use ad blockers, either.

 

[Page]

Allot of FP members use VPN anyway and it's safe not like it's been used it the wrong way. Most would use VPN to keep there personal information and location safe.

 

[Black Angel]

Hell No.

As a person who frequently travels both internationally and domestically, my VPN is on about 95% of the time when I am online and travelling, the other 5% my devices are in airplane mode or off, just to be on the safe side from roaming charges.

I do this because I don't trust networks that are not my own and so my VPN will be on for that reason from the moment I step out of my front door to go to the airport, to the time I cross the threshold to my home.

 

[Ja sa bong]

If the account owner isn't using the VPN to commit unnecessary activities like creating double accounts without the knowledge and approval of the forum owner, the account should be banned. Apart from that, people use VPN generally for their internet needs. It should get a straight ban on forums.