redirection error - affecting users in outside Americas

[HantsUK]

How wide spread is the redirection error that is preventing access to the CF home page or any first levels pages (e.g. /forums/)? Which other countries are affected?

This has been an ongoing issue affecting users in the UK for over a month. It has been reported to CF by myself and other users, so far with no resolution. (Edit - suggest anyone else having similar issues to also raise a ticket)

I suspect it also affects other European countries, but not America.

Error:
Home page and first level pages result in a 302 redirect to home page (so, after going around in a circle several times, your browser notices and displays an error message).

Probably a configuration error with Cloudflare or the CF servers.

Conditions causing this error:

Trying to access home page (https: //www .christianforums .com) or a first level page (e.g. https: //www .christianforums .com/forums/ )​

and

Using a desktop browser (but not a tablet or smartphone). Affects MacOS and Windows; Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Brave​

and

From UK or (previously) other European countries (not Americas)​

Work arounds

• stop using CF
• use links deeper into the forums, saved by your browser
• use a VPN pointing to USA (This will interfere with sites that restrict access to your own country. Some sites prohibit using a VPN)
• use a mobile phone
• set your browser's agent to mimic a phone

But most people suffering this error will get stuck on the home page being unavailable and will be unable to report an issue.

(edit to update title)

 

[Bradskii]

Work arounds

• stop using CF
• use links deeper into the forums, saved by your browser
• use a VPN pointing to USA (This will interfere with sites that restrict access to your own country. Some sites prohibit using a VPN)
• use a mobile phone
• set your browser's agent to mimic a phone

Well done, Hants. I've had this problem for a week and couldn't fix it. The forum worked on my phone, tablet and wife's iPad, but not on my laptop - which I use mostly. So I tried your suggestion re a VPN to the US and...bingo! Works fine.

Thanks...

 

[HantsUK]

Well done, Hants. I've had this problem for a week and couldn't fix it. The forum worked on my phone, tablet and wife's iPad, but not on my laptop - which I use mostly. So I tried your suggestion re a VPN to the US and...bingo! Works fine.

Thanks...

Hi Bradskii, can you also raise a ticket.

So, is wider that just Europe?

Can I suggest that everyone who has this problem raises a ticket. Of course, most people (outside of the Americas) will not even be able to get onto the site to raise a ticket, and have by now given up on CF.

 

[Bradskii]

Hi Bradskii, can you also raise a ticket.

So, is wider that just Europe?

Can I suggest that everyone who has this problem raises a ticket. Of course, most people (outside of the Americas) will not even be able to get onto the site to raise a ticket, and have by now given up on CF.

I've made it known to one of the mods. I actually don't know if it's a problem with the forum or a glitch in my connection. It's odd that I could still access the forum on my mobile when I couldn't on my laptop (on which I am now typing). I've still got my vpn connected to the US - but now I get a lot of US news feeds and American adverts mixed in with other videos on Youtube. But I can always turn off the vpn if it becomes a problem.

 

[HantsUK]

I've made it known to one of the mods. I actually don't know if it's a problem with the forum or a glitch in my connection. It's odd that I could still access the forum on my mobile when I couldn't on my laptop (on which I am now typing). I've still got my vpn connected to the US - but now I get a lot of US news feeds and American adverts mixed in with other videos on Youtube. But I can always turn off the vpn if it becomes a problem.

Just discovered that using a VPN is prohibited on CF for posting:

Use of Proxy or VPN Servers

Hello, Starting immediately, members using proxy servers to access Christian Forums will no longer be allowed unless specifically granted permission to do so.The potential for abuse puts a large strain on our volunteer staff here. Proxy servers are beneficial in certain situations and...

www.christianforums.com

This is a reminder. We will start terminating accounts that use VPNs to post unless an exception is made on a per account basis. If you believe you need to use a VPN to connect to our forum, please contact us.

If it works with a VPN via USA, then that proves that the problem is not with your PC or browser (inc settings, cookies, cache etc).

Working OK with your phone indicates that your connection is not the problem, unless your phone is using the mobile network instead of your WiFi & broadband.

 

[Tinker Grey]

Just discovered that using a VPN is prohibited on CF for posting:

Use of Proxy or VPN Servers

Hello, Starting immediately, members using proxy servers to access Christian Forums will no longer be allowed unless specifically granted permission to do so.The potential for abuse puts a large strain on our volunteer staff here. Proxy servers are beneficial in certain situations and...

www.christianforums.com

If it works with a VPN via USA, then that proves that the problem is not with your PC or browser (inc settings, cookies, cache etc).

Working OK with your phone indicates that your connection is not the problem, unless your phone is using the mobile network instead of your WiFi & broadband.

Does the message make sense to you? I'm not a tech guy (sounds like you might be), but the idea that VPNs, per se, have a potential for abuse doesn't make sense. How does it matter how my personal account connects?

 

[Belk]

Does the message make sense to you? I'm not a tech guy (sounds like you might be), but the idea that VPNs, per se, have a potential for abuse doesn't make sense. How does it matter how my personal account connects?

It allows for the bypass of some of the blocking features of the forum. I don't think it is an issue if you are logged in with your user account.

 

[Tinker Grey]

It allows for the bypass of some of the blocking features of the forum. I don't think it is an issue if you are logged in with your user account.

Thanks.

What is it a malicious user could do WITHOUT an account?

 

[Belk]

Thanks.

What is it a malicious user could do WITHOUT an account?

DOS attacks, SPAM threads with advertising, any support of automated posting using a guest account.

 

[Tinker Grey]

DOS attacks, SPAM threads with advertising, any support of automated posting using a guest account.

I can see DOS. I thought that might be a reason for CloudFlare although I'd like to think that if someone has a valid account you wouldn't have to verify you are a human.

How would add ads to pages they don't own? If you could post, you could advertise ... but again, without an account?

 

[Belk]

I can see DOS. I thought that might be a reason for CloudFlare although I'd like to think that if someone has a valid account you wouldn't have to verify you are a human.

How would add ads to pages they don't own? If you could post, you could advertise ... but again, without an account?

If guest posting is allowed then you don't need an account. I'm not a web admin so these are just guesses based on my general IT knowledge. My realm was end user devices so take my remarks with a grain of salt.

 

[Tinker Grey]

If guest posting is allowed then you don't need an account. I'm not a web admin so these are just guesses based on my general IT knowledge. My realm was end user devices so take my remarks with a grain of salt.

I appreciate the effort. Thanks.

I was under the impression that there isn't guest posting here. Could be wrong ... I've been here too long and haven't had a need to check.

 

[Belk]

I appreciate the effort. Thanks.

I was under the impression that there isn't guest posting here. Could be wrong ... I've been here too long and haven't had a need to check.

Wow! You've been here longer then I have. Not a lot of us left from back when GA was a thing.