[RESOLVED] Submit Form Only Once Per Day

[fnp]

This is a general question. I am not looking for any specific code just a general idea of the best practice to achieve what needs to be done.

I want to create a script that will log the IPs or MAC address of people that click the submit button, that way I can add a time stamp so they will only be able to use the form once per day.

I would imagine the best way to do this would be with a database, but can you log a MAC address or just an IP address?

Any general comments or suggestions would be appreciated.
Like I said I don't need the code as once it is built I will post the completed code here. I just want to know the best way to do it so it can't be cheated.
FNP

[bpat1434]

You can't get the MAC address to my knowledge, only the IP of the connecting agent is known.

The IP should be good enough; however, IPs do change, so it can't be guaranteed to be the same person. Plus, some people (myself included) have multiple computers connecting through one internet connection so you'd be baring all those other people in a household access to your form.

The better way is to collect a wide range of data like address, name, email and birthday and store that along with IP. Then verify that all that data hasn't been entered in the last 24 hours. That way you can have two people in one household enter but each are "unique".

Either way it's possible that you will get people that get around the security of your form to duplicate results. The best you can do is minimize their chances.