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− | [[Help:User rights#Administrators|Administrators]] can '''block''' |
+ | [[Help:User rights#Administrators|Administrators]] can '''block''' registered and anonymous users (by blocking accounts and individual IP addresses, respectively) to prevent them from editing a wiki. Blocked users can only browse articles. Administrators may choose to restrict a registered user's ability to use their [[Help:Message Wall|message wall]] or [[Help:Talk pages|talk page]]. |
− | == |
+ | == Why block? == |
+ | Every community needs to have [[Help:Wiki Rules and Blocking Policy|their own rules set up and block according to them]] fairly. |
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+ | Since the rules can vary depending on the community, users can be blocked for many reasons, though blocks are usually given for: |
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+ | * Harassing or insulting other users. |
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+ | * Impersonating another person. |
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+ | While each community needs to have its own blocking [[Help:Policies|policies]], blocking should not be considered a standard disciplinary measure. Admins are advised to discuss the matter with the user first, warning them about the consequences of their behavior, and only block if the warning does no effect. Blocks are used to prevent damage or disruption, not to punish users. |
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− | == Why people are blocked == |
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− | Users can be blocked for many reasons. Each community may have slightly different blocking [[Help:Policies|policies]], but in general, blocks are generally given for: |
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− | * Being unkind to/harassing other users |
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− | * Inserting false information |
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+ | In most cases, a short block should be enough to resolve the matter. IP addresses should never be blocked for longer periods of time, with an absolute maximum of three months, to avoid situations where a dynamic IP is used by a completely different user and they find themselves unable to edit. |
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⚫ | # If a logged-in user is blocked, they can try to evade the block by logging out and editing anonymously. To prevent this, you can set the block to include the IP address that the logged-in user is using. Check the box marked "'''Automatically block the last IP address used by this user, and any subsequent IPs they try to edit from'''". |
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+ | === Blocking the right user === |
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+ | When selecting which user to block, keep in mind: |
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+ | # You may also request to check user IPs if a range block may be appropriate for your situation or not. See [[Help:CheckUser#How_can_I_request_an_IP_check.3F|''"How can I request an IP check?"'']]. |
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+ | == How to appeal a block? == |
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+ | If you feel you have been unfairly blocked and wish to [[Help:Wiki Rules and Blocking Policy#How blocks should be appealed|appeal]], first contact the person who blocked you. Show them the entire message you get when you attempt to edit a page so that they can investigate the matter and unblock you if they believe the block was made in error. |
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+ | A list of admins on each community can be found by going to the [[Special:ListAdmins]] page on that wiki. If you are unable to edit at all on the wiki, you can leave a message on [[w:|Community Central]] to the admin of the wiki you're blocked from. |
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+ | If the block is upheld, the best course of action is to simply wait out the block, perhaps contributing to a different wiki. Repeatedly asking admins for unblocking or leaving multiple messages to that same end may be considered harassment and have the exact opposite effect. |
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+ | In some circumstances, such as when the block reason violates Fandom's [[homepage:terms-of-use|Terms of Use]] or when the [[Help:Wiki Rules and Blocking Policy|issued block was not firmly tied to rules of that wiki]], you may [[Special:Contact|contact Fandom support]] for advice. While Fandom staff intervention will happen when there is an ongoing problem of blocks unrelated to the rules of the community, they will generally not interfere with local communities and their admins by unblocking users ''without'' prior consultation. |
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* Inserting false information |
* Inserting false information |
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* Removing content from pages |
* Removing content from pages |
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* Inserting nonsense/gibberish into pages |
* Inserting nonsense/gibberish into pages |
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* Unacceptable username |
* Unacceptable username |
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− | == Common block protocol == |
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− | * Admins are advised to give a warning to people before blocking them. |
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− | * Most blocks should generally start short, and be made longer if the user continues the offending actions. |
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− | * It's a good idea to not block IP's and IP ranges indefinitely, since IP's change often and so do the users behind those IP's. Generally 1-3 months is sufficient for IP-based blocks. |
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− | If you feel you have been unfairly blocked, please contact the person who blocked you. Show them the entire message you get when you attempt to edit a page, so that they can make appropriate unblocks if they see fit. A list of admins on each community can be found by going to the [[Special:ListAdmins]] page on that wiki. If you are unable to edit at all on the wiki, leaving a message on [[:w:|Community Central]] to an admin of the wiki where you are blocked is advised. If they think you still deserve to be blocked, please wait for your block to end or contribute to a different wiki, instead. Note that harassing admins by messaging more than once, or leaving more than a single message will probably result in them getting annoyed, and so keeping the block. |
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− | As a final resort, you can [[Special:Contact|contact Fandom support]] for advice, but Fandom staff generally do not interfere with local community issues by unblocking users directly - unless the block reason violates [//fandom.com/terms-of-use ToU]. |
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== Related blog posts == |
== Related blog posts == |
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* [[w:User blog:Sannse/How to Get Unblocked|How to get unblocked]] |
* [[w:User blog:Sannse/How to Get Unblocked|How to get unblocked]] |
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− | * [[w:User blog:Ducksoup/Why We Don't Unblock You|Why we don't unblock you]] |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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+ | * [[Help:Wiki Rules and Blocking Policy]]: global blocking policy |
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− | * [[Special:Block]] |
+ | * [[Special:Block]]: Special page for blocking users. |
− | * [[Special:Unblock]] |
+ | * [[Special:Unblock]]: Special page for unblocking users. |
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− | * [[mw:Help:Range blocks/IPv6|Range blocks/IPv6]] |
+ | * [[mw:Help:Range blocks/IPv6|Range blocks/IPv6]]: Mediawiki.org help page about blocking IPv6 ranges. |
== Further help and feedback == |
== Further help and feedback == |
Revision as of 04:23, 1 March 2021
Administrators can block registered and anonymous users (by blocking accounts and individual IP addresses, respectively) to prevent them from editing a wiki. Blocked users can only browse articles. Administrators may choose to restrict a registered user's ability to use their message wall or talk page.
Why block?
Every community needs to have their own rules set up and block according to them fairly.
Since the rules can vary depending on the community, users can be blocked for many reasons, though blocks are usually given for:
- Vandalism, such as inserting false information.
- Spamming.
- Repeatedly adding pages that violate copyright.
- Abusing user rights.
- Harassing or insulting other users.
- Offensive or misleading usernames/avatars and refusing to change them.
- Impersonating another person.
- Breaking other policies.
While each community needs to have its own blocking policies, blocking should not be considered a standard disciplinary measure. Admins are advised to discuss the matter with the user first, warning them about the consequences of their behavior, and only block if the warning does no effect. Blocks are used to prevent damage or disruption, not to punish users.
In most cases, a short block should be enough to resolve the matter. IP addresses should never be blocked for longer periods of time, with an absolute maximum of three months, to avoid situations where a dynamic IP is used by a completely different user and they find themselves unable to edit.
How to block?
Users can be blocked through the Special:Block:
- Enter the username or IP address of the user or IP you want to block.
- Select an expiry time for the block. Blocks are usually best kept as short as possible. You can customize the block duration by typing it in the box. Infinite blocks can be made this way by typing infinite or indefinite in the box.
- Enter a reason for the block. If a suitable reason isn't in the drop-down, then type it into the box below. Remember that the reason will be public, so keep it clear, informative, and polite.
- An IP block will block all users with that IP, whether they are logged in or not. Since IPs can be shared, you can leave logged in users unaffected by the block by leaving the box "Prevent logged-in users from editing from this IP address" in the bottom section of the block page unchecked.
- If a logged-in user is blocked, they can try to evade the block by logging out and editing anonymously. To prevent this, you can set the block to include the IP address that the logged-in user is using. Check the box marked "Automatically block the last IP address used by this user, and any subsequent IPs they try to edit from".
- The blocked user can be prevented from editing their Message Wall by selecting the "Prevent this user from posting on their Message Wall while blocked" option.
- Click "Block this user" to complete the block.
Note that the form also includes useful links that allow you to edit the block reasons template, access the unblock page, or review active blocks.
Blocking the right user
When selecting which user to block, keep in mind:
- Usernames are exact and case sensitive. The easiest way to ensure you're blocking the right user is to copy and paste the username from elsewhere on the wiki into the Block box.
- IP addresses can be blocked using either the IPv4 or IPv6 format. As with usernames, you should only block the exact IP address used by the offending user, or else the block won't work.
- For vandalism or spam coming from very similar IP addresses, a "range block" may be appropriate. However, this should be done sparingly. See the "Should we block ranges?" section on the blocking FAQ page for details.
- You may also request to check user IPs if a range block may be appropriate for your situation or not. See "How can I request an IP check?".
How to appeal a block?
If you feel you have been unfairly blocked and wish to appeal, first contact the person who blocked you. Show them the entire message you get when you attempt to edit a page so that they can investigate the matter and unblock you if they believe the block was made in error.
A list of admins on each community can be found by going to the Special:ListAdmins page on that wiki. If you are unable to edit at all on the wiki, you can leave a message on Community Central to the admin of the wiki you're blocked from.
If the block is upheld, the best course of action is to simply wait out the block, perhaps contributing to a different wiki. Repeatedly asking admins for unblocking or leaving multiple messages to that same end may be considered harassment and have the exact opposite effect.
In some circumstances, such as when the block reason violates Fandom's Terms of Use or when the issued block was not firmly tied to rules of that wiki, you may contact Fandom support for advice. While Fandom staff intervention will happen when there is an ongoing problem of blocks unrelated to the rules of the community, they will generally not interfere with local communities and their admins by unblocking users without prior consultation.
Common block summaries
The drop-down reasons for blocking are editable at MediaWiki:Ipbreason-dropdown. By default, these include:
- Inserting false information
- Removing content from pages
- Spamming links to external sites
- Inserting nonsense/gibberish into pages
- Intimidating behavior/harassment
- Abusing multiple accounts
- Unacceptable username
Related blog posts
See also
- Help:Wiki Rules and Blocking Policy: global blocking policy
- Blocking FAQ: Frequently asked questions about blocking.
- Special:Block: Special page for blocking users.
- Special:Unblock: Special page for unblocking users.
- Special:BlockList: Lists currently blocked addresses and usernames.
- Special:Log/block: Shows all blocks and unblocks.
- Range blocks/IPv6: Mediawiki.org help page about blocking IPv6 ranges.
Further help and feedback
- Browse and search other help pages at Help:Contents
- Check Fandom Community Central for sources of further help and support
- Check Contacting Fandom for how to report any errors or unclear steps in this article