Can multiple users have the same IP?

[bphotochick]

I recently started modding a board and there are several people who are signed up under different email addresses, all supposedly from different locations who are somehow under the same Ip address. The only similarity I see is that they all have aol emails. There is another instance of this where the users have completely different email accounts (Hotmail, gmail and yahoo) also under the same Ip address but they all claim to live in the same place (Toronto Canada)

I always thought that everyones computer had a different IP unless you were part of a network of computers, but Im obviously not that computer saavy. Thats why Im asking for your help.

Thanks,
photogirl:confused:

[oracle128]

Usually, no. But AOL is a special case. It sends all users through a proxy/gateway without their knowledge. So it can indeed be the case that several AOL users may share a single IP address, possibly even one from an interstate gateway. I've also heard of similar things happening with Road Runner. However if this happens with users of any other ISP though, you have a right to be suspicious.