RFCM

RFCM discussion => Using the Forum => Topic started by: Colonel Kilgore on February 21, 2025, 06:48:45 PM

Title: Security blocker?
Post by: Colonel Kilgore on February 21, 2025, 06:48:45 PM
For the last few days, I've been unable to access this Forum via home broadband (but I can via a phone data connection).

I initially got an error message saying my connection looked dodgy to the server. Now I get nothing at all, as attempts to connect just time out.

I think Stewart had a similar issue some months ago.

Have firewall settings been tweaked, perhaps?

Simon

Title: Re: Security blocker?
Post by: martin goddard on February 21, 2025, 07:03:42 PM
I believe apple devices are being very "stroppy".
There is discussion about it on the TMP forum.

martin :)
Title: Re: Security blocker?
Post by: Colonel Kilgore on February 21, 2025, 07:28:03 PM
I don't use an Apple device  :)

Simon
Title: Re: Security blocker?
Post by: Sean Clark on February 21, 2025, 07:50:03 PM
Is it one of those cases where you need to empty your cookie jar?
Title: Re: Security blocker?
Post by: Colonel Kilgore on February 21, 2025, 08:13:27 PM
I really don't think so, as the Forum works on my phone via data, but not via WiFi: it's using the same browser in both cases.

I think its more to do with the IP address being blocked. And I've tried it from 2 different houses, on two different networks...

Simon
Title: Re: Security blocker?
Post by: John Watson on February 21, 2025, 11:21:04 PM
I had a similar problem with another site and I ended up cleaning my Mac which cured the problem.
John
Title: Re: Security blocker?
Post by: Colonel Kilgore on February 22, 2025, 06:36:25 AM
Unfortunately, I don't think it's the end point device - I've got the same issue on my Android phone and 2 different Windows PCs...

Simon
Title: Re: Security blocker?
Post by: martin goddard on February 22, 2025, 09:53:41 AM
Simon Clarke where are you in this time of need please?


martin :)
Title: Re: Security blocker?
Post by: Colonel Kilgore on February 22, 2025, 12:48:35 PM
Quote from: martin goddard on February 22, 2025, 09:53:41 AMSimon Clarke where are you in this time of need please?


martin :)

He'll just tell me to turn it off and then switch on again  ;D

Simon
Title: Re: Security blocker?
Post by: Administrator on February 22, 2025, 01:47:28 PM
QuoteHe'll just tell me to turn it off and then switch on again

So, that may or not work ;-)

Problem is there can be a lot wrong here! at either end

IP address. Simplistically, this can either be static or dynamic, depending on your config. If it is dynamic (which most are) you can reboot your router. At this point your IP address may be updated by your ISP. The router IP is the outward facing network address. This could be blacklisted by a lot of things. Typically, something like a bot with the same IP trying a brute force attack (hack the forum with many password attempts), and triggers the threshold which may put you on a blacklist.

So,if your phone connects OK via mobile data, then create a <WiFi> hotspot and then disconnect from the <house>Wifi and connect to the hotspot. If this works then its the router.

It could also be a routing problem, especially of it times out. So that could be some ISP internal server move and waiting for DNS refresh to propagate over the internet. That is unlikley its it limited to a single device.

It sounds like its a router issue if all devices connection to it can't connect if i read this correctly
Title: Re: Security blocker?
Post by: Colonel Kilgore on February 22, 2025, 02:07:36 PM
Thanks Simon, but I've had the same problem at both my house and another one, using a different ISP. Initially I'd received a message indicating that the server's security had been updated.

Could this indicate a different issue?

Thanks,

Simon
Title: Re: Security blocker?
Post by: Administrator on February 22, 2025, 02:32:09 PM
so this is a PC right? what browser?
Title: Re: Security blocker?
Post by: Colonel Kilgore on February 22, 2025, 02:42:02 PM
I've had the issue with 2 different PCs, using Edge and Chrome. Also on my Android phone using the default browser.

Simon
Title: Re: Security blocker?
Post by: Colonel Kilgore on February 25, 2025, 01:21:19 PM
I'm back on again.

I was today able to get past a blocking screen (which had previously disappeared - the browser just timed out) and prove I was a human by going through a Captcha picture-based "I'm not a robot" process.

Thanks for all the ideas, folks.

Simon