[FIXED] Are we back to banning IP blocks again?

[sling-shot]

For the past 24 hrs or so trying to access the forum using my DSL internet connection (provided by state owned BSNL) throws up this page titled 403 Forbidden :

Code: [Select]

Forbidden

You don't have permission to access /forum/index.php on this server.
Apache/2.2.15 (CentOS) Server at [url=/url] Port 80
This error appears for any URL inside the forum. The website pclinuxos.com itself is quite accessible.

But I am able to access the forum through my mobile where internet service is provided by a private operator and also through proxies. So I am guessing it is based on my IP address range?
Last time such a thing was implemented, I got a page that informed me that I am part of a spambot network.

[Old-Polack]

If you aren't getting the spambot message, it has nothing to do with banning from here. Possibly you need a different DNS server specified, rather than that supplied by the ISP.

[sling-shot]

The ISP DNS was crap anyway and have long ago abandoned it. I am presently using GoogleDNS. (Have tried OpenDNS in the past but did not like them hijacking my 404 pages and sometimes hijacking even if the real site was live)

I am unable to understand what DNS has to do with the present situation though. Is it not the pclinuxos forum that is responding here? The page looks like that to my untrained eye. I understood that DNS was for translating from alphabet address to number address or so...

[DeBaas]

If it's a DNS problem then you can reach the forum with:
http://199.231.58.82/forum/
If it's a blocking problem you can NOT.

[sling-shot]

I am unable to access using the IP number too, just as I suspected.

The message is provided by either the forum software/server or may be the host server that is hosting it?

Did a ping test :

Code: [Select]

PING 199.231.58.82 (199.231.58.82) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from 199.231.58.82: icmp_req=1 ttl=51 time=373 ms
64 bytes from 199.231.58.82: icmp_req=2 ttl=51 time=396 ms
64 bytes from 199.231.58.82: icmp_req=3 ttl=51 time=419 ms
64 bytes from 199.231.58.82: icmp_req=4 ttl=51 time=442 ms
64 bytes from 199.231.58.82: icmp_req=5 ttl=51 time=465 ms
64 bytes from 199.231.58.82: icmp_req=6 ttl=51 time=386 ms
^C
--- 199.231.58.82 ping statistics ---
6 packets transmitted, 6 received, 0% packet loss, time 5004ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 373.349/414.149/465.697/32.264 ms


[Texstar]

Yes, I have been banning spammer traffic from our website forum. What ip are you on that you have been having trouble with please?

Tex

[sling-shot]

Thanks for the clarification Texstar. I have sent a PM with my current IP address. Please note that I do not have a static IP address.

[Texstar]

Thanks for the clarification Texstar. I have sent a PM with my current IP address. Please note that I do not have a static IP address.

OK thanks. I will be happy to work with you with the ip address. Just so you know, I am testing a new ad sponsor and want to ensure we are getting high quality forum traffic and not spambots trying to do fake registrations.

[Texstar]

If you aren't getting the spambot message, it has nothing to do with banning from here. Possibly you need a different DNS server specified, rather than that supplied by the ISP.

My fault Old-Polack.

[Old-Polack]

If you aren't getting the spambot message, it has nothing to do with banning from here. Possibly you need a different DNS server specified, rather than that supplied by the ISP.

My fault Old-Polack.

Normally, I'd have to call you on that, but this time I'll let you slide.

[sling-shot]

I am happy to report that this situation has been fixed and I am able to access the forum properly again.

[timeth]

Great! I'm back on too. I was unable to get to the forum all day yesterday but all is fine now