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Possible to track your actual computer/device...?
 

First let me preface this with saying that I am both very familar with SEARCHING BEFORE ASKING, and I am also very familiar with ip, cookies, flash, user accounts, etc etc.... I searched, and did a forum sweep, I realize all the log in/cookies/different user account solutions and problems. Completely. Both by searching the forum and by experience.

But an interesting thing happened to me yesterday... I have a Netflix account that was put on hold. I called in, they just wanted to make sure people weren't logging in to my account that weren't supposed to be, that someone didn't put my password online or something.

It's a long story, but we load refridgerated trucks, and I keep some iPads on hand for the drivers to watch TV on while they wait, or laptops to browse, etc. I had just gotten new iPads (iPad 3's, with better screens) so we just went through a new set of devices in the office, sending our old ones (after factory resets) out to the loading dock. Whenever I take an old office computer or iPad and reload it for the truck drivers to use, I always reinstall Windows (or even swap the HD, depending on what it was used for previously) and reset the iPad completely to new settings, even to a new Apple iTunes account. That way when they are done being used by the truckers, I just get what I get for them on Ebay and recoup a few $. Sorry for all the details, but I just want you to know the situation...

Anyway, the person at Netflix I was talking with was super friendly, and was telling me how/why they flagged my account, etc... she could tell me WHICH DEVICES were logged onto my Netflix account, and WHEN, and which devices had 2 or 3 different Netflix accounts used on them. (my secretary used one with her Netflix account, and this was AFTER it was completely reset! They could see 2 accounts were on the same device, and could tell me which device had multiple accounts used on it, going back previous to factory resets!) She also went on, mentioning devices that I had to think a little to remember, and that I had to think a little to figure out how two Netflix accounts crossed over on the same device (secretary and visiting family).

I know this isn't Netflix Stealth (ha ha..) but my concern/question is that if Netflix can see this, even with device resets/reinstallation of Windows, can't Ebay see this? Is it enough (assuming that all the cookies, info, ip info is changed too) to reinstall windows? Or do you think Ebay can see the actual computer somehow? I noticed an old thread saying it was ONLY by cookies, flash and IP, but that was a 4 year old post. Now with my Netflix experience, I'm thinking things might have changed.....?

I would say they can see the mac of the device since most have an application to run netflix and also if they are viewing through the site they probably are still installing something on your system to view the videos.

From many other posts and my own testing with eB, they have not become this advanced....yet. Netflix has livestream content and easier for up and download of signals so I would expect an advanced system.

I would start to worry when EBay/PP require any specific software to use their services.

the day Ebay starts using MAC pulls is the day I short the stock using my leveraged CFD account.

Don't be fooled fingerprinting and other technology existed a long time ago. I don't believe it is in the best interest for them to use it though...

bingo
 

I think the lower level VP's at Ebay have done the math and I wouldnt be surprised if stealth 'selling' accounts are at 20-30% level. With Ebay its all about keeping the scammers away. [ note I didnt say keeping the ph@kes away or vero away ]. Run a high DSR powerseller account selling vero/ph@kes and Ebay is cool with that.

exactly apconcen, those guys make ebay a lot of money, theyd rather place rules to get rid of the scammers and make rules to get rid of he noobs and let the experienced vero sellers continue

I thought it was well known that ebay/paypal can see your device name... Especially via IOS/Android apps hence why they are bad!

that's interesting, so all cookies/flash/apps cleared and they still detect the accounts. Did they say they knew the device eg it was a TV, PS3 or a tablet etc or that they actually knew the device mac or any serial numbers. I know you cannot watch netflix on one account on multiple devices at same time as you need to be logged in..... when I used netflix a while back, I was required to choose which device I was using from a menu...

on a different note, you know when microsoft software is installed and you have x amount of keys and you link online to MS for installations....wonder what they now about which devices, if they know serials or if they just know installation is complete on x number of devices?

Netflix use a An application-programming interface (API) which is total different from a normal website like ebay

if you uninstall netflix via programs then does that get rid of it? what does this netflix api pick up?

Netflix is supposedly going start cracking down on people use it on lots of devices.

they have a limit now and it is pretty hard to beat the system of course VCC"S give you unlimited netflix forever

I have netflix and it only works on 2 devices simultaneously. If you try to run it on three devices you get an error message saying you are running it on too many devices. In either case comparing ebay to netflix is apples to oranges.

we still have not established if netflix or whoever can tell the actual device's mac or just simply if it is a different device. The simultaneous thing seems pretty easy to understand, does not mean they know any more than that....

good old stealth methods being used everywhere

Software versus browser...two different things here.