How are they tracking me?

Redrum_2

I went to open an account with VC Poker last night, as they're running a free money offer at the moment. But when I did, it said that there was already an account registered to that computer

Now I opened up an account with them a couple of months ago, since when I've moved house and thus have a different IP address. I've cleared my cookies, deleted all related program files, and cleaned out the registry - but they still recognise my computer as previously holding an account

How are they doing this, and how do I get round it?

madauri

Let me see... you moved house but you kept the PC, right?

Redrum_2

Yeah

Different b'band supplier too

iwanttosave_2

I don't suppose you have an account open with a partnered site?

Sorry if thats an obvious question

gaming_guy

wouldnt you have the same ip adress if you kept your computer?

Redrum_2

I've got a bookies account with them, but according to the t&cs, that's not a problem - it says 'to all new poker customers'

And the error messages specifically says an existing account "registered to this computer"

Redrum_2

gaming_guy wrote:

wouldnt you have the same ip adress if you kept your computer?

I thought it was specific to your location/supplier?

I've moved house, and from Telewest to BT - so assumed I'd have a different IP address

Would something like TOR maybe solve this, or is IP a red herring?

djohn2002uk

With a different ISP you would definitely have a different IP address, and unless you have a Static address, as oposed to a Dynamic one, it will change every time you connect.

I would sugest that you haven't cleaned out everything and it is still identifying your PC from something lurking in the registry or in IEs (or Firefox or whatever browser you are using) history files.

bingo_bango

Do they install a registry key when you download the software? It may have recognised this, and that would block you.

rchddap1

I also assume that you have to enter a card in order to register. If you've used the card before on the site perhaps they are using that to work out whether you are a genuine new user or not.

Redrum_2

Cookies - all cleaned out

Card - the error message comes up before I even get to registering one

Registry - I deleted all obvious references to "VC Poker" through regedit. Then ran Registry Mechanic as well to clean the whole computer out

Is there a way to tell which registry keys/entries are related to a specific program - if they're called something other than "VC Poker" ??