Wikipedia:IP hopper
This is an information page. It is not one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines; rather, its purpose is to explain certain aspects of Wikipedia's norms, customs, technicalities, or practices. It may reflect differing levels of consensus and vetting. |
An IP hopper is an unregistered or anonymous editor whose IP address changes. Mostly this would be completely outside the user's control. Some ISPs automatically assign their users a different IP address with every edit. Others may change IP address every few minutes, every few hours, every few days, or less frequently. A small number of users will keep a static IP address for many years. Users may additionally use different networks at home, at work, etc.
IP users and registered users are considered equal in status and discrimination is frowned upon when it comes to conduct and online behavior. This is wikiquette for ensuring healthy project contributions.
Some users change their IP address deliberately by resetting or changing their Internet connection. Often this might be to avoid stalking, but in a small number of cases it is done to avoid blocks or to make abusive edits without cross-check.
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Prior experience and single purpose IPs (SPAs)
Since users can and do frequently switch from one IP address to another, it stands to reason that a user on an IP address with very few edits may have extensive prior experience editing Wikipedia, and on a variety of topics, using various other addresses.
Communicating with an IP hopper
Someone who changes IP address frequently is unlikely to see any messages left on their talk page, which can sometimes make collaboration difficult (see also
Range hopping
Whilst it is quite common for an IP address to hop within a given range allocated to the user's ISP
See also
- Wikipedia:Blocking policy
- Wikipedia:Blocking IP addresses
- Wikipedia:Protection policy
- Wikipedia:Sockpuppetry
- Wikipedia:Please do not bite the newcomers
- Wikipedia:IP editors are human too
Notes
- ^ (this range can be determined using WHOIS lookup)
- ^ As established by editing pattern