Alt avi blues

Hi guys,is there any possible way to find out if someone is running an alt avi.I know this has been asked before but no one seems to have an answer.
Surely there are situations, such as suspected fraud, when this information should be given,even if just to say yes,these avi's belong to the same person.

Or maybe there's another way to find out ?

Lol.

Welcome to SL.

Nope. If they won't tell you , there is no way you can find out.

LL won't tell you unless they're legally required to.

I suppose if you could figure out how to sniff the network to grab the packets, you could figure it out. Somewhere in there would be an IP address and an avi name. If there are multiple avi names from the same IP address that would be a good indicator -- depending on whether anyone else at that house uses the same computer or network for SL.

Of course, you would have to get the network data and then filter through it. I would say it isn't worth it.

If something is making you suspicious, there is usually a reason for it - go with your hunches.

And if they are harrasing you, AR them. Otherwise just get used to it.

Well my problem is I'm allready involved with somone and there's real money at stake,not to mention a lot of hard work.
I cant just walk away from it

sell out.

gawd I hope not. The only IP addrs that should be appearing in client packets are LL's.

Well then I second the "Welcome to SL". And also give you a "I'm sorry this has happened to you." I do truly mean that, but the comments may seem hollow as there isn't anything can really be done.

If you know how to compare uuid's but the issue with this is, mac address changed, modem change, how old the accounts is, list goes on and on.

Any and all UUIDs (avatar, object, texture etc) are created by LL's servers, not your computer. So there is no way to link people that way.

Ok, I actually disagree with the idea of snooping on anyone in SL. We're either anonymous or not and you go into business with another "person" on that basis.

Not ideal, but for most of the community the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.

I also don't believe that there is any way within the SL infrastructure to find this sort of information out, but if you wanted to then you could try this approach. It's still pretty fallable and finger in the air, but you might hit lucky.

Set up an external website and/or landing page with an ip logger/tracker specific to your little project.

Pick your suspects and ask them to visit the external web page (some sort of tempting offer maybe).

Keep a track of the people you send the url to.

When they use their browser to access your page, you should be able to retrieve an IP address and hence a general location.

Be careful not to jump to conclusions. There are many if's and but's here. Dynamic IP addresses, proxies, the list goes on. However by tracking the IP address back you can normally discard those that aren't speciic enough anyway,

If this is really important to you though, this may potentially give you some info with which to work.

I'm not involved in any joint projects. But my advice about such things in Second Life is 'never risk more than you're prepared to lose'.

Hi Zak

On projects with real money involved, I mean a serious business investment, you should know who is the person behind that avatar including Name, address, contact details and VAT tax numbers for invoicing purposes.

Making serious business with just an avatar (alt or not) is extremely naiv.

Fun is fun , business is business

Maggie

Hi Zak

Any chance to get them to a inworld meeting at the same time? Then you could see how the conversation goes. If they both write slower then usual or never type at the same time, it's a good indication.

Also notecard conversations, with both at any time and compare them, usually alts make the same spelling and typing errores as the original.

Try to meet the suspects friends and have casual conversations about him when he is not present. Also try to ask the suspect questions to which only the other can have the answer.

Have voice conservations with one and then ask the other for the same. Sooner or later he will suspect that you are investigating him and either disappear or address the issue.


Regards

Maggie

That pretty much true of RL as well

One way of determining "suspected" alts is by looking at profiles - if somebody has a very new avie and yet appear to have good skin, clothes etc chances are they are an alt.

It's not 100% obviously but usually a good indicator.

Another good way is to look at similarities in chat patterns and common typos and expressions. I've caught somebody out that way before when i banned them from my colony for inappropriate behaviour and a day later a new av turned up... same sh*t different channel

Added: Maggies suggestions above a pretty much bang on as well

Thanks so much guys,looks like people have lots of different opinions about anonymity.For what its worth,I'm of the opinion that if people have nothing to hide they shouldnt mind disclosing info about alt avi's. A lot of people have been hurt in many different ways by the use of alt's.
And thanks for the tips,very helpfull.

I dunno - ppl create alts for many different reasons - one being to remain anonymous or to escape an avie that has a business and is constantly inundated with IM's and requests etc.

Me I have an alt so that I can log my main avie and my alt on and they can chat online. Great if you don't have any friends

I once managed to run 4 av's simoutaineoulsy over two laptops for a brief stint - but it got so confusing that I had to give up before I went crazy

You're only crazy if you can actually handle 4 AVs at once. Darn those multiple personalities. (^_^)y

GAH!!! (>_<

*pushes Yuu back in the basement!* (>_< .... Sorry you guys had to see that. Gotta keep your alts under control you know. (=_=)y

Yeah it's a great way of getting those multiple personality disorders out there in the field.

Running 2 av's is pretty easy actually - the trick is to have one of them sitting down


Added: What was all that earleir about spotting chat similarities? (^.^)

You should have seen the struggle I was going through at the alt party. (=_=)

Yeah, I don't like all those smilies myself. They take up too much typing... I like XD :B better.

Wah! That's rough. (>_<