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asp.netinternet-exploreriisforms-authentication

Why is restarting client IE changing the username logged in IIS?

I have an ASP.NET WebForms application. Some of my users reported that they see their username in "domain\username" format. When they close their IE and open it up back, username is shown as "username". Application shows "username" mostly. However, it shows "domain\username" every once in a while (I couldn't find the pattern).

What is the reason of this behavior?

Environment:

  • Windows Server 2008 R2, IIS 7
  • .NET Framework 4.5.2
  • Anonymous and Forms authentications enabled. Others disabled
  • Application pool idendity: “ApplicationPoolIdentity”
  • In application pool settings, “Enable 32-Bit Applications” is “True”
  • In application pool settings, “Managed Pipeline Mode” is “Integrated”
  • Internet Explorer 11 is used in client
  • Variable I use to get usernames: User.Identity.Name
Solution

  • SiteMinder was creating the issue. Once it's installed in your web server, it may change your application's cookies even though your application is not protected by SiteMinder.