Tutorials/Griefing prevention

Griefing is the act of destroying large or otherwise very noticeable portions of other people's creations on a multiplayer Creative or Survival server. It is frowned upon by the majority of Minecraft users because it ruins many hours of work and makes maps untidy. In best case scenarios, the griefer is quickly removed from the server and their damage is trivial to repair. At worst, griefing can destroy an entire server if it does not have backups available.

The most effective way to fight griefers is to have the Admin or an Op regularly monitor players by using the teleport op command. If a griefer is found, a /kick or /ban command is usually used. Sometimes, a griefer can change their name to evade the ban. If this occurs, an /ipban can be used on the perpetrator's ip address, but Griefers can sometimes get by this command as well by using a proxy to change their ip. When this is the case, it is probably best to create a whitelist for all trusted players or to shut down the server until the griefer gets bored and moves on. A common way to keep griefers from entering a server while no Ops are online is to use Spawn Jails. If built properly, they will ensure no player will be able to enter the map unless an op lets them. However, some players consider this a rude practice.

Random Destruction
Random destruction is when a griefer destroys random blocks, putting holes in walls and other structures, making them look broken and messy. Griefers may also target a single structure, working to destroy it completely. If no Ops are present, the only way to combat this type of destruction is to repair the damage by hand until the griefer gets bored and leaves.

Random Construction
The opposite of random destruction, random construction occurs when a griefer creates random blocks on constructions and anything else on a map, making it look messy. Sometimes they fill up other structures with material like cobblestone. The way to combat this is to just remove the extra blocks. Again, continue this until the griefer gets bored and leaves. This type of griefing may not seem as bad as the first, but it can be just as annoying to builders, and as fun to the griefers. Often griefers both destroy and create blocks in their quest to gain enjoyment at the expense of others.

Water Flood
A Water Flood is only applicable to Creative mode, as it uses infinite water. In Alpha and Beta, an attempted flood is very easy to fix. A water flood occurs when a Griefer causes water to spill onto the level, often flooding a good part of it. Normally floods can only occur under sea level as that is the highest water can go, but it is possible to have water higher up using Map Editing. A way to combat this is to make sure Ops safe guard any potentially dangerous bodies of water with Bedrock to prevent the water escaping. Floods can also be prevented by using Sponges, which do not allow water to flow 2 blocks in any direction from the sponge. Hiding sponges in corners of rooms and other structures can prevent the structure from being flooded at all, possibly. If a small and located flood happens, the quickest solution is to gather some helpers and use Sponges to completely remove any water, then remove the sponges. Make sure no water is left behind when removing the sponges however, because 1 block of water can restart the flood again. If the flood is more large scale, have the Admin remove all the water using a Map Editor such as Omen by replacing all the water blocks with air. Another danger of this kind of griefing is the massive lag that occurs on the server during a large water flood. If the flood is large enough, all players will be kicked out of the server due to the lag.


 * As of Beta, sponges can only be obtained through inventory editing, and will not soak up any water, however some mods replenish their ability to do so.

Lava Flood
Similar to a Water Flood, a Lava floods the area with lava instead of water. Lava spreads far slower than water does, so if the flood is caught quickly, it can be stopped before it causes real damage. If no lava has been placed through map editing, floods can only occur deep underground where lava is. However, like water, if lava has been placed high on the map, make sure any pools of lava are protected from flooding by Bedrock. Lava floods can be very dangerous in Alpha or Beta mode for lava will set certain blocks on fire, like Wood and Trees. Lava cannot be removed with Sponges like water can, so the only way to remove it on a Creative server is to either place a block in the lava block's space, or use a map editor.

Offensive Constructions
Some griefers grief by writing rude words or drawing offensive symbols everywhere. It's often generally harmless fun, but if a player finds it offensive they can destroy the offending problem, hence the griefer has become the griefed. This is far less of a problem than the others, for some servers are lenient and won't care about what the griefer writes or draws.

Flattening
A relatively rare form of griefing is called Flattening. Flattening happens when a griefer begins to completely level out a map, leaving it totally flat, destroying any structures along the way. Flattening is a rare practice because it takes a long time to accomplish and is usually only done while no Ops are on the server to stop them.

Sanding / Antiquing
Using a bot to spam sand from the highest level of the map will cause the sand to settle on top of the structures below. Doing this creates a very unappealing map for most users. It is difficult to clean up.

Block Edits
Very rare, when a griefer changes one specific block type to another, ruining large sections of peoples projects.

Fires
When a griefer sets a tree on fire, it will spread quickly to all nearby trees, setting the entire forest on fire within a minute. This can be extremely annoying, especially if players were leaving the forest as a permanent logging resource or decoration on the map, or if there is any flammable construction in the way. One way to prevent this type of griefing is by disabling fire spread.

Sometimes griefers target wooden structures instead, setting them on fire. The fire spreads quickly and can destroy even a larger wooden structure within seconds.

TNT Abuse
Growingly popular amongst griefers. The griefer stocks up on TNT, then places the TNT beneath Shelters/Models of other players and sets it off, destroying everything in the process. This grief is very annoying as it leaves the land destroyed and unattractive. However, this grief is hard to perform as players would most likely notice the griefer placing TNT. This grief is currently only possible on Alpha or Beta.

"Classy" Griefing
Some people have opinions as to whether some types of griefing are more morally permissible than others. Simple TNT Abuse seems crude and doesn't have as much class as some other types of griefing such as breaking into a highly defended fortress and stealing the chests, but not their contents, undetected. Other, arguably, classy griefs include writing rude words at the height limit in 100 block tall letters; filling creations with Netherrack and lighting it; or wiring somebody else's door into the press of your own doorbell, to name a few.

Some people are happier to be griefed by classier griefs, as it has taken the griefer longer to succeed. For example, levelling out an entire continent takes more time and effort than just blowing it up with TNT. Therefore, the effort of the griefer is more appreciated, and sometimes more accepted.

Others still take a zero-tolerance line on griefing, regardless of the amount of effort they put in, due to the fact that the griefer has still destroyed something that they took time to make themselves.

Creeping
A common form of griefing in SMP is deliberately lurking creepers to people's creations and making them explode. This destroys people's creations and makes the landscape look unappealing.

Player Jailing
Some griefers do not target structures, but players instead. In this method the griefer will dig holes around the player and make them fall into a hole, and then cover the hole up. Sometimes the griefer will fill up the hole with lava or water. This is even easier when the player is inactive.

Tree Bombs
Some griefers will use trees as a trap. Some griefers will make 5 wood block thick trees to lure the victim, in which the victim will step on a pressure plate or something (or the griefer will pull a trigger)and the tree will blow up with hidden TNT.

SMP Diamond Bomb
This type of griefing normally includes hacking, as diamond ore is extremely difficult to find. First, the griefer places diamond ore near the bottom of the map, and wires pressure plates beneath the ore to a TNT bomb. The victim will try to mine the diamond and the TNT bomb will go off, particularily either killing the player or letting loose some lava.

Hacks
Hacks are programs that manipulate Minecraft in a way that was not originally intended by Notch.
 * Flying: Now in widespread use by both griefers and normal players, this is a common and easy to obtain hack that can allow griefers to easily reach tall structures and begin deconstruction of areas that will be difficult to reach by players lacking this hack.
 * Auto-click: Another common tool of a griefer is the auto-click program. This automatically causes the mouse to click much faster than can normally be done by hand, which allows the player to quickly and messily place or delete blocks.
 * Noclip: Noclip allows players to go through solid blocks. This can be used to escape Spawn Jails. However, some servers have noclip guards in their MOTD which only lets Ops use the feature. Still, a griefer can obtain a noclip hack which lets them bypass the MOTD.
 * Chest Finding: A technique gaining popularity are chest finders. These programs allow griefers to find hidden chests and gain items to grief. Some servers use chest passwords which stop this possible hack. However, some whitelists will not stop chest looting.

Social Engineering
Social Engineering is when a griefer manipulates players into thinking that they are decent and trustworthy players, as well as directing the blame of griefing to someone else. This sort of griefer is significantly more dangerous than others due to their ability to blend in with innocent and trusted players. This can cause confusion throughout the server and can even cause un-deserved bans on other players. If the griefer is very dedicated to a server, they may even become an Op. When this happens, they can use their power to de-op all other ops and ban them, and can then grief as much as they please without anyone to stop them. If this worst case scenario occurs, the Admin can use operator commands through the server's console to de-op the griefer and re-op themselves.

Time
Some griefers will wait in a server, pretending to be away, or return to it when there are no ops or mods online, at which point they could destroy as much as they please until another mod,op or admin logs in. However, an op or admin can use /list to see who is on the server and ban any known griefers.

Bots
Bots are very uncommon and sometimes attack in swarms. Not much is known about exactly how they work or their full capabilities, but bots are very dangerous and are generally only employed if a specific server has been "targeted". Bots are programs that take control of an account they've logged into and can act very human-like. It is suspected that if an Op is getting suspicious toward the bot, the hacker can speak for the bots when they are questioned. Bots come complete with many automatic actions that can instantaneously create pyramids or massive holes in any structure; they also fly around and employ random destruction griefing. IP banning and kicking are useless as the bots can switch IPs and account names in seconds and come right back. The only real defense is to shut down the server and wait until they don't come back.

 Some of the behaviors bots have been seen to exhibit are
 * Not speaking unless spoken to, such as not asking to be let out of a spawn jail.
 * Using long, misleading names ( i.e. a32hr6et4u2bdjw882) that are difficult to type. To attack this, usernames can be automatically typed by opening the tab menu and clicking the username of choice. (This does not work in Alpha and Beta)
 * Frequent jumping (although this is exhibited by many human players as well).
 * No clear purpose or destination, they wander (many human players do this as well, to explore the server's existing creations).
 * Sometimes, multiple bots will not have any custom skins. They may also try to "bury" players by placing blocks around them or above them to prevent escape, and then filling the small place the tapped player or players are in with lava to kill them, or with water to hinder their movement. There are multiple videoes of this on Youtube happening to innocent players. Usually, other players will come along and try to free the trapped players.
 * Calming the player, if on that persons player it will claim the player is a bot and tell them to log off. This is rare. As not logging off will make the bot the griefed.
 * Calming the player, if on that persons player it will claim the player is a bot and tell them to log off. This is rare. As not logging off will make the bot the griefed.

Griefer swarms
While one griefer can be bad, on occasions they may attack in groups. Sometimes a member of the swarm blames other griefers in the group to avoid being caught. They can also attack rapidly, typically abusing vote bans to clear out the server if vote bans exist on the server. A typical sign is about four people (four is a common vote ban threshold) joining at once, but that can be a coincidence. The swarm also provides the problem of taking longer to ban, although the server can be shut down quickly to stop any griefing. Shutting down the server is the easiest, and quickest, way to stop or hinder griefers. Normally the griefer swarm is in a team, and they will normally attempt to flatten a landscape by drilling through dirt on the classic maps. Some griefer swarms may even have a hacker who can flood lava across the map, typically killing any low-land players and animals. Griefer swarms can sometimes, but rarely, appear in groups or 20 or more.

Griefen