Similar to others, Martin is now having problems accessing the forum.
He has asked me to let you know and that he will be back on as soon as it is resolved.
It sounds very similar to what Col. Kilgore and Martin from Grimsby were experiencing.
Thanks.
Simon Rocket sorted the problem . Thanks to him.
My knowledge on this matter is not good so I don't know how to avoid it next time.
One thought, is that it happened after I used/clicked the "RFCM. you have been quoted" notification. When I used that the problem started. Coincidence possibly?
Other thoughts?
martin ???
Just to confirm, it's not because you click the mention link.
When one accesses the internet , you have an 'address' known as an IP address. The ISP has protection in that any nefarious activity will cause blocks on these IP addresses. It can be something as simple as too many incorrect login attempts (failed password) that causes this twitch . However , it more likely that a 'bot' impersonates an IP address and tries to gain access. There are hundreds of these a day in RFCM alone.
The easiest solution is the standard IT one. If you turn off the router then most have dynamic IP allocation so you just get assigned a new number. If you do have one that is static IP then you will have to change it manually
Thanks
Simon
Thanks Simon
This is good information.
Simon P. Can you try this to see if it works?
martin :)
Thanks both. I had previously tried a router reboot, and have just done so again today. No dice.
I'm pretty sure I have a dynamic IP address (my ISP charges extra for a static one!), and the issue is clearly with the router rather than the various devices I've failed to connect from.
Any other ideas, please?
Simon
Could try asking your Internet provider for a replacement router. It's like turning it off and on again, but one level up!
John
I think grinding your teeth is the obvious response. I have no idea how it all works but Simon C seems to be pretty plugged into it all.
Simon did advise me to check ip address Using google "what is my IP?"
This will tell you if the ip is different before and after the router re-start.
It took 3 re starts of the router for it to work. Each time, I left 30 minutes between power of and re- start.
martin :)
Quote from: John Watson on July 23, 2025, 01:15:06 PMCould try asking your Internet provider for a replacement router. It's like turning it off and on again, but one level up!
John
I have recently replaced my router too :(
Simon
Quote from: martin goddard on July 23, 2025, 01:40:35 PMI think grinding your teeth is the obvious response. I have no idea how it all works but Simon C seems to be pretty plugged into it all.
Simon did advise me to check ip address Using google "what is my IP?"
This will tell you if the ip is different before and after the router re-start.
It took 3 re starts of the router for it to work. Each time, I left 30 minutes between power of and re- start.
martin :)
Thanks Martin. Maybe I need several attempts.
Maybe I should select my largest hammer to help too?
Simon
I've rebooted my router again, confirmed that I've been allocated a very different IP address and still can't connect to the RFCM Forum.
Any other ideas please, Simon?
Simon
I had to for several months use my old Samsung Tablet to access the site. But that starting playing up ? Then managed to access the site back on my iPad using PP forum link. So for now no problems ?
Is it to do with the lack of "http" in front of the forum address ?
Miles
This is a real pain but beyond my knowledge.
Is Miles on the right lines?
martin :)
Thanks chaps, but sadly I don't think it's that.
I can access the Forum in exactly the same way and on the same devices via data or from a different WiFi (e.g. when I was away on holiday).
But I cannot do so from my home WiFi.
So I think it's to do with my router, but maybe not linked directly to the IP address, which I've confirmed is indeed allocated dynamically.
Simon
Here are some more option Cannot connect to website (https://www.sitelock.com/blog/this-site-cant-be-reached-error/)
Thanks Simon.
I'll have a go later.
I did get a "rulesforcommonman.uk doesn't support a secure connection with HTTPS" error message on my phone just now. I've had this message intermittently before.
Would that point to something specific, please?
Simon
That's interesting as RFCM is HTTPS.
This sounds like a cache problem (trying to connect to an older version of the site )
What is the exact URL you use ?
Quote from: Administrator on July 24, 2025, 12:02:32 PMThat's interesting as RFCM is HTTPS.
This sounds like a cache problem (trying to connect to an older version of the site )
What is the exact URL you use ?
Thanks Simon.
The URL showing in my browser is simply:
rulesforcommonman.uk
No www or HTTP or HTTPS preceding it.
And to reiterate, this all works fine with all my devices on data or from other WiFi connections.
Simon
The full URL is https://rulesforcommonman.uk
try this
Quote from: Administrator on July 24, 2025, 12:12:36 PMThe full URL is https://rulesforcommonman.uk
try this
That is one of the things I'd already tried. Still doesn't work now, I'm afraid.
Simon
If you take 1 PC and it works on a different network/hotspot, and then not on your home network, then it does imply it not a PC issue and is network/modem/router related
Have you tried a 'hard' reset of your router? Normally there is a button you need to hold on /or hole for paperclip etc.
before we get too far. Just checking do you have just a single 'box' to the internet? not seperate modem, wifi or switch in the equation? It is just ethernet cable from the wall to the wifi box?
Yup - fibre to box on the wall, then ethernet cable to the WiFi box. I wouldn't know how to do anything more complicated!
Simon
Quote from: Administrator on July 24, 2025, 12:17:06 PMIf you take 1 PC and it works on a different network/hotspot, and then not on your home network, then it does imply it not a PC issue and is network/modem/router related
Have you tried a 'hard' reset of your router? Normally there is a button you need to hold on /or hole for paperclip etc.
Indeed, I've believed all along that it's an issue with my networking kit not speaking to the Forum.
I haven't tried the hard reset, but will look into that, thanks.
Simon
Quote from: Administrator on July 24, 2025, 12:17:06 PMIf you take 1 PC and it works on a different network/hotspot, and then not on your home network, then it does imply it not a PC issue and is network/modem/router related
Have you tried a 'hard' reset of your router? Normally there is a button you need to hold on /or hole for paperclip etc.
I've just reset the router. No joy there either, I'm afraid.
Simon
Grrrrrr.
martin :)
I am now, as of late morning, not able to access via my home WiFi. Worked fine earlier when I posted about last night's game.
I am getting an error saying cannot connect to website as it taking too long to respond. I am using a mobile so cannot check full response. It may a different response on a PC. Other websites working fine so my access to the Internet is working. I am on
Virgin BTW.
Checked DNS lookup up using MX tool
and server and certificate are fine.
I will reboot router later as my wife is using it for work.
Mark
How come there is a thread on here in Chinese. Can't understand any of it, or should that read IT.
Quote from: Ilkley Old School on July 24, 2025, 02:36:29 PMI am now, as of late morning, not able to access via my home WiFi. Worked fine earlier when I posted about last night's game.
I am getting an error saying cannot connect to website as it taking too long to respond. I am using a mobile so cannot check full response. It may a different response on a PC. Other websites working fine so my access to the Internet is working. I am on
Virgin BTW.
Checked DNS lookup up using MX tool
and server and certificate are fine.
I will reboot router later as my wife is using it for work.
Mark
Mark,
Your problem is exactly the same as mine including the Internet provider, Virgin Media. I've tried rebooting the router, a few times including leaving it without power overnight without solving the problem. As a temporary measure I'm using a VPN to access the forum.
Please would you post any progress here.
I'm away on holiday from tomorrow for just over week, so I can't try anything else for a while.
Thank you and best wishes,
Martin from a small village near Grimsby
Yep - that's the same issue here.
On a PC it's timing out before connection, and on the mobile (using data) it's doing the same but with that occasional HTTPS security warning (which ironically just reoccurred when checking this post).
Simon
Hi Martin
As part of my investigations I used Virgins diagnostic tests and it found a router problem. They sent a new router which solved the problem. Until this morning.
I got an email as you quoted me on this thread with a link to your post. When I clicked on the link it flashed up a screen saying my request had been denied as the forum server thought it was an attack. The result is I can no longer access using my wifi and have to use my mobile data instead.
Mark
Quote from: Colonel Kilgore on July 29, 2025, 07:31:45 AMYep - that's the same issue here.
On a PC it's timing out before connection, and on the mobile (using data) it's doing the same but with that occasional HTTPS security warning (which ironically just reoccurred when checking this post).
Simon
Hi Simon
An HTTPS security warning is because there has been some sort of problem with the Website Certificate.
Mark
Quote from: Ilkley Old School on July 29, 2025, 08:13:35 AMQuote from: Colonel Kilgore on July 29, 2025, 07:31:45 AMYep - that's the same issue here.
On a PC it's timing out before connection, and on the mobile (using data) it's doing the same but with that occasional HTTPS security warning (which ironically just reoccurred when checking this post).
Simon
Hi Simon
An HTTPS security warning is because there has been some sort of problem with the Website Certificate.
Mark
Yup.
But that error is only occasional, and only when using data on my mobile.
I haven't been able to access the Forum via the home WiFi (on any of 3 different devices, all of which work fine elsewhere) for weeks.
But I'm in the office now on their WiFi and on my same phone that gave this morning's HTTPS warning, and it works fine.
So I'm (still) very confused.
Simon
Interestingly, both my phone and PC subsequently got blocked this morning by the office WiFi.
Phone gave the previous HTTPS warning while PC got blocked by BitNinja as "my request triggered the website application firewall system".
Simon
Hi Martin
I have being doing a bit more investigating this morning. I managed to not only break my WIFI but also my O2 network connection. I used this link in an email.
You have been quoted in the post titled "Re: Martin's IT problems" by Smoking gun, you can see the post here:
https://rulesforcommonman.uk/index.php?msg=73373
I captured this screen.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiHbFLFyAZeiWVenIH4StZOpM1VYUsyEkAP8epgrwJ0YujxNEZRG1yRTxg28OKrEbaPX1_g9LTj-OJEc7h7BDVZbmTvRoCr8zqd5ebcvHZiqverwVgmmBQSltyBAN1PF1RYnQQPhIsWP_n_7frNGow3n3waWBcijvdhO-IuN7oQHAijbHpYu9itg5HS60/s2216/1000003696.png)
Looking at looks like it's the Firewall on the Forum server that has blocked the access. The IP address is not mine and is probably the public IP of an Internet server.
I powered off my phone and was able to get the 02 access working and was able to break it again by clicking on the link.
Rebooting the router did not fix my WIFI access.
So my conclusion this an issue with the Forum Server provider and not my set up.
Trust this makes sense.
Mark
That's the same blocking notice that I got today too, Mark.
I think there are several of us sinking in the same boat, here!
Simon
Looks like something has changed. My WIFI connection is now working.
Quote from: Ilkley Old School on July 31, 2025, 08:21:02 AMLooks like something has changed. My WIFI connection is now working.
The ISP has un-greylisted your IP address. There is more to tell on this. But I just need to get to a conclusion with the ISP
Quote from: Administrator on July 31, 2025, 01:38:22 PMQuote from: Ilkley Old School on July 31, 2025, 08:21:02 AMLooks like something has changed. My WIFI connection is now working.
The ISP has un-greylisted your IP address. There is more to tell on this. But I just need to get to a conclusion with the ISP
Thanks for sorting this out, Simon - it now works for me too.
I'll be interested in the back story on this one, once you have concluded with your ISP!
Simon
I'll have to check mine when I get home next week.
Thank you,
Martin, from a small village near Grimsby
International secret Program.
Irrational Spasm Paradox.
Intermediate Senility Party
martin ???
"Irrationally Suspicious Problems"
Simon
I'm happy to report I can access this forum through my home wifi.
Best wishes,
Martin, from a small village near Grimsby
This all sounds interesting. Promising?
martin :)
Everyone OK now?
martin :)
All good with me, thanks Martin.
Simon
That sounds good news.
martin :)