403 Forbidden while accessing The Source [Archive]

08-04-2013, 06:22 PM

A few days ago I started getting 403 Forbidden messages when accessing the forum here from my home internet service. I thought it was just momentary site trouble. When it continued, I thought maybe my ISP was being extra dumb, as I found I can access the forum from the 4G on my phone.

However it isn't just me and it doesn't seem to be any specific provider, someone made a thread over at Salvation about it: http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=528445

Thanks if anyone can help us, it seems that clearing cache, cookies, etc does not help though. I also am unable to force a new IP from my ISP right now.

JanoschEausH

08-04-2013, 06:49 PM

It's the NSA, bro!

sdematt

08-04-2013, 08:57 PM

I'm still having the same problem. I'm posting from another computer.

Halp.

-Matt

lordofthepit

08-05-2013, 02:15 AM

Same problem for me. Only works at work or on my phone's data plan. :-(

Monkey_Island

08-05-2013, 03:13 AM

"Glad" to see I am not the only one (accessing right now with my phone).

Happy83

08-05-2013, 03:31 AM

I had the same problem and initially thought that the site was down for maintenance or something. I then tired it with hidemyass (masks IP adresses) and were able to access the site. I hope the problem gets fixed soon!

Nihil Credo

08-05-2013, 06:20 AM

I've seen that happen from time to time, it usually goes away within a day or so.

I always assumed it was just server-side trouble, but if people find themselves able to access from different devices then this makes me wonder if it might be people getting reassigned to the IP of old spammers / bots. I doubt it's the case because I have a static IP, but it could be possible.

SHOULD YOU RUN INTO THIS ERROR AGAIN, PLEASE WRITE DOWN YOUR IP (you can find it at http://whatismyipaddress.com/) AND THEN PM IT TO ME THE NEXT TIME YOU CAN LOG IN. DISREGARD THAT I SUCK COCKS

Einherjer

08-05-2013, 07:16 AM

I seem to unable to find The Source via Google-Search any more. Though this isn't really necessary for my own computer - bookmarks - it is for 2 others. Earlier I only had to type "The Source Legacy" - if I do that now it only shows nonsense - if I type "Mtg The Source Legacy" it shows 1 randomthread of this site and that's it. Any ideas? Got this problem at 2 different IPs.

Greetings

Bahamuth

08-05-2013, 09:08 AM

I have this problem as well, but I can still acess the site through a proxy.

Arianrhod

08-05-2013, 10:51 AM

Same problem. Can access from my phone but nothing else.

XdeckX

08-05-2013, 01:11 PM

Lol I thought I was the only one. Seems lots of ppl are having issues.
Hope this gets fixed asap. As far as I know my IP hasnt changed in the last coulpe of days (not sure since I dont check my IP daily ;))

ac3eb

08-05-2013, 02:47 PM

I'm also experiencing this problem! I tried doing a couple different things. Both of my computers with different IP's in my home network don't work. I tried using a different DNS server both for IPv4 and IPv6 but it didn't work. Really bizarre.

SirTylerGalt

08-05-2013, 03:29 PM

I also encountered this a few days ago. Didn't work with Wifi, worked on my phone. I can't reproduce since I'm now on holidays, but I wonder if it is some kind of bot detection algorithm that misfires? I often go to "What's New?" and open multiple tabs at once, then read them one by one. Maybe the server thought I was a bot and added me to a list of banned ip addresses?

Nihil Credo

08-05-2013, 04:06 PM

THANKS EVERYBODY YOU CAN STOP SENDING IP ADDRESSES

I got a whole lot of them but not even one appeared on the banned IP list, so we can pretty safely throw that explanation out. Unfortunately so, because it would have been an easy fix.

I'll keep looking for possible explanations since the issue is more widespread than I thought. There are (https://www.google.se/search?q=vbulletin+403+forbidden+site:www.vbulletin.org) a lot of possible reasons (https://www.google.se/search?q=vbulletin+403+forbidden+site:www.vbulletin.com) though (and that's only if the forum software and not the hosting is to blame) so it may not be trivial.

Dan Turner

08-05-2013, 06:21 PM

mini1337s

08-05-2013, 06:25 PM

I wonder if anyone who is hitting this maybe has a piece of software on their computer in common with others and its somehow conflicting with the site?

I have had virus programs with built in firewalls just auto block certain sites for no reason other then at one time someone reported it or something.
It's funny, at home, I run no anti-virus, anti-spyware, etc and I can't access theSource. At work, the corporate computers have more programs of that nature than I care to count, and can access theSource no problem.

lordofthepit

08-05-2013, 06:26 PM

I wonder if anyone who is hitting this maybe has a piece of software on their computer in common with others and its somehow conflicting with the site?

I have had virus programs with built in firewalls just auto block certain sites for no reason other then at one time someone reported it or something.

That's not the case. I cannot access it from my desktop, laptop, or phone at home when using the ISP, but my phone works fine when I use other wireless sources or my data plan. It's almost certainly an IP address issue, but apparently not based on any enumerated blacklist based on what Nihil Credo has observed.

08-05-2013, 08:00 PM

From what I could find on Google, given that I know nothing of vbulletin, is that 403 is a host problem, so whoever hosts this site might need to be contacted about it. Something about a Mod_security setting or some such.

from Cairo

08-05-2013, 08:27 PM

I had been unable to access the site from my home on various devices using wifi. I am currently accessing the site on my laptop using a proxy server, again suggesting the issue is something IP address based.

08-05-2013, 08:42 PM

More digging through things I don't really understand leads me to believe this is an error in Apache, probly because the site host changed something in the settings on their side.

Que

08-06-2013, 02:27 AM

I too am having this issue. ;_____;

EDIT: currently on a proxy

alphastryk

08-06-2013, 07:23 PM

mini1337s

08-06-2013, 08:34 PM

I've been seeing this at the office but not at home for a few days. Since it mentions the error page also being forbidden it sounds like theres something wrong config-wise, either in the filesystem ACLs or in Apache
This occurs on my phone and home computer (both Canadian IPs), but not at work (US IP). Is there any computer/connection specific information users can supply that would be helpful at this point?

Megadeus

08-06-2013, 08:47 PM

I've been in Jersey for the past week, but my roommate said the source isn't working at our apartment... sad day

thulnanth

08-06-2013, 09:36 PM

Hey all,

Yeah, I saw this thread a few days ago at home and didn't give it much thought...

... until I went to work last night and had it happen to me too. :cry:

Take it easy,
Jared (from home, not work)

ac3eb

08-07-2013, 11:03 AM

Any word on a potential solution for this issue? :(

Dragonslayer_90

08-07-2013, 03:58 PM

Chiming in to state I also currently have the same problem. Posting this from my phone via 4G. Hope this issue gets resolved soon.

ahg113

08-08-2013, 04:51 PM

Yup, having problems,

Good at work, bad at home. At home on work laptop, through work network via my wireless signal, it does work.

monovfox

08-08-2013, 06:30 PM

Theory:

Everyone, what wireless router are you using?

My home uses airports (apple), and the IP is Comcast.

Using a proxy. But it keeps redirecting me to the iggy pop thread.

apple713

08-08-2013, 06:53 PM

bad at work good at home

Finn

08-08-2013, 08:14 PM

I was able to access on Monday from work, but not yesterday or today. I bet there is an issue with a routing table somewhere near the server.

08-08-2013, 08:17 PM

Theory:

Everyone, what wireless router are you using?

My home uses airports (apple), and the IP is Comcast.

Using a proxy. But it keeps redirecting me to the iggy pop thread.

403 errors are on the host. This is an error in a configuration of the Apache server the site is hosted on.

My best guess is that the host changed some Apache settings and this the result of misconfigured Mod Security.

It seems that no one is able or willing to speak to the site's hosting.company, or the hosting company is completely unable to figure out what went wrong (which would be kind of ridiculous, since they can see the site's logs and those should make the problem pretty evident). I guess that is easy for me to say, since I don't know anything about Apache or site hosting, but it should still be solvable.

Nihil Credo

08-09-2013, 09:30 AM

Admins can't deal with site hosting directly unfortunately, but I've explained the situation to Zilla so he can check what's up / contact the hosting company.

Zilla

08-12-2013, 01:48 PM

I've contacted the site's host about the issue. Hopefully it will be resolved soon. I'll keep you all posted as soon as I get more information. Sorry for the inconvenience, and thanks for your patience in the interim.

lordofthepit

08-12-2013, 02:15 PM

The Treefolk Master

08-12-2013, 03:37 PM

I'm also having this issue when trying to access The Source at home. I just wanted to add that I can get in using a proxy and/or hiding my IP.

ahg113

08-12-2013, 03:39 PM

I'm also having this issue when trying to access The Source at home. I just wanted to add that I can get in using a proxy and/or hiding my IP.

I don't even know what that means. Will you teach me?

Kagehisa

08-12-2013, 05:35 PM

I have same 403 Forbidden issue and also thought I was the only one because when I was using the proxy, I could see people still posting ! I spent my last days on Salvation instead lol hahaha Now I know why it is called Salvation...

The Treefolk Master

08-12-2013, 05:53 PM

I don't even know what that means. Will you teach me?

You need to compile the Matrix, Neo.

Its really easy, I'm in no way computer apt, I got most of my tech "tricks" from google.

To use a proxy just google "Proxy Navigation" and click on one of the links, for example: http://proxynavigation.com/

Type the URL of whatever site you'd like to go to in the text box and hit Visit, which will take you to the site. Its commonly used for visiting sites which have been banned in your network (unless the network admin has also banned proxy usage). Now it has a much more noble purpose.

To hide your IP you need some special software. The most widely used program is Hotspot Shield, which hides your IP for free (with ads, there's a paid version with no ads and extra features). If you lived outside the US you could use this program to access Youtube videos on available in the US. Here's a tutorial on how to use it, its as simple as clicking a button:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ4MRB5rYyg

Please note that, depending on the speed of your internet conenction, you might experience some/none/extreme navigation speed loss.

thecrav

08-12-2013, 06:52 PM

mujadaddy

08-13-2013, 03:06 PM

I've contacted the site's host about the issue. Hopefully it will be resolved soon.If it helps at all, I think it has something to do with how the software on the server authenticates a user's session. I had a Source thread open on my work laptop from home, and when I got to work the next day & tried to click the next page of the thread, the 403s started and NOTHING I did (clear cookies/cache, restart browser, restart machine) could bring up any pages. Another datapoint for you, although I am behind a firewall here.

08-13-2013, 08:30 PM

Working again from my home internet and my IP did not change, so looks like the site's host must have fixed the issue.

Thanks to the admins for working on this, really appreciate it.

The Treefolk Master

08-13-2013, 08:49 PM

Working again from my home internet and my IP did not change, so looks like the site's host must have fixed the issue.

Thanks to the admins for working on this, really appreciate it.

Same here.

Esper3k

08-14-2013, 01:17 AM

Yes, a definite thanks to the Admin for getting this one fixed!

Megadeus

08-14-2013, 01:30 AM

Thank the good Lord (aka admins)!

Yah never mind... still doesn't work

Einherjer

08-14-2013, 07:17 AM

Still doesn't work for me at work.

Julian23

08-14-2013, 07:37 AM

Still doesn't work for me at work.

Yeah, right. Work. :cool:

n0mad

08-14-2013, 07:43 AM

works for me now, and i work at a DoD organization in the states so that ISP list is fixed :) thanks!

Einherjer

08-14-2013, 08:15 AM

Yeah, right. Work. :cool:

National service, if you prefer it this way.

Greetings

Kayradis

08-14-2013, 12:23 PM

Was working at home but not work.
Since im on a DND computer here I was like "WTF"

Fixed now.
Thank god!

Arianrhod

08-14-2013, 01:02 PM

Works for me, finally! Thanks!

Megadeus

08-14-2013, 01:23 PM

Works for me again! YES!!

alphastryk

08-14-2013, 01:31 PM

Yep, works again now.

Philipp2293

08-14-2013, 01:43 PM

Worked for a short time today in the office, then stopped again.

Mr Miagi

08-14-2013, 01:44 PM

I already thought I was banned or something :) But huzah! It works again :)

whienot

08-14-2013, 02:51 PM

I'm up again. Hopefully it will stick.

monovfox

08-14-2013, 03:53 PM

Working again.

lordofthepit

08-14-2013, 03:56 PM

Works now! Thanks!

Fry

08-14-2013, 05:42 PM

I give my thanks to whom ever or what ever it was that fixed the 403 issue... It's much and greatly appreciated by many.

from Cairo

08-14-2013, 10:58 PM

It's working for me. Thanks Nihil and Zilla for your time and effort in pursuing the issue(s).

Lord_Mcdonalds

08-14-2013, 11:49 PM

I'm outraged, I found my favorite site replaced with a magic forum.

(thanks, real cool to be able to use the site again.)

thulnanth

08-15-2013, 12:46 AM

All's good here too... :laugh:

Many thanks to the powers that be... :smile:

Take it easy,
Jared

Happy83

08-15-2013, 03:45 PM

It works. Thanks for resolving the issue!

Que

08-17-2013, 02:00 PM

Thank you for making the necessary contacts to get this issue resolved. All is good on this end now. :)

Zilla

08-19-2013, 07:13 PM

So, we need to do another round of testing to make sure the problem is eradicated. IF YOU NOW GET A 403 ERROR, PLEASE WRITE DOWN YOUR IP (you can find it at http://whatismyipaddress.com/) AND THEN PM IT TO ME THE NEXT TIME YOU CAN LOG IN (or through a proxy / smartphone / etc.) Thanks!

Amon Amarth

08-19-2013, 10:41 PM

I've been good for awhile now too. Site has been working without a hitch.

Einherjer

08-20-2013, 01:13 AM

It works now!

HammafistRoob

08-22-2013, 01:11 AM

Was this^ the reason the site was down for maintenance? The vBulletin announcement said it would only be for a few hours but I couldn't get on for 2 days. Really no biggie I'm just curious.

XdeckX

08-22-2013, 01:52 AM

HammafistRoob

08-22-2013, 03:20 AM

That's really strange. I only use my phone since I don't have a computer.

Nihil Credo

08-22-2013, 06:26 AM

I have that at work. My phone and homepc have no problems. So its safe to say the site is not down for maintenance but there is another issue.
Just a minute ago I checked The Source at work: down for maintenance. Check the phone and everything is fine.

"Down for maintenance" or 403 Forbidden? If the former, you might just need to clear your cache. If you get the 403 Forbidden, copy your IP from your work computer and PM it to Zilla.

XdeckX

08-22-2013, 07:43 AM

On my work pc it is in fact "down for maintenance". Clearing the cache didnt help. The funny thing is everythin was fine with the work pc during the 403 mishap (where my homepc was being blocked)
Now thats resolved but for some reason the workpc is now facing the down for maintenance issue.
Does anyone have a clue (since clearing cache doesnt work)

XdeckX

08-23-2013, 12:22 PM

Is there any news on how to fix this issue? The problem is still there at work. Now I dont mind working but Id like to be able to check The Source every now and then. ;)

backpack

08-24-2013, 12:00 AM

Is there any news on how to fix this issue? The problem is still there at work. Now I dont mind working but Id like to be able to check The Source every now and then. ;)

I just sent you a PM but I realized it could be useful to other people.

If you're using a computer that gets the 403 code or a "site down for maintenance" message, try pinging mtgthesource.com. Are you seeing 184.171.247.137 as the IP address? If yes, that is the old server IP. The new server is at 192.237.179.171. If you're at work, it's possible that your office has a DNS server with the old IP address cached so even if you're clearing your browser cache on the computer you're using it will still be getting the old IP address. You can get around this by changing your DNS server that your local computer is using or perhaps by telling your IT guy that DNS needs to be flushed.

Zilla

08-24-2013, 12:24 AM

Backpack is correct. After all the 403 errors, I opted to move the site to its own private server, rather than the shared server it's been on since 2004. If you're still seeing the maintenance message, it's because your machine is still hitting the old IP address rather than the new one. You can either ask your IT person to flush DNS, or you can edit your host file like so:

1. Go to Start>Run and paste C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\ in there. It will open a directory. Open the hosts file in there. If it asks you what program to use to open it, pick a text editor like notepad or wordpad.

2. Add the following line in there: 192.237.179.171 mtgthesource.com www.mtgthesource.com

3. Save it and close it.

This will allow your computer to bypass local DNS and go directly to the correct IP for the site.

backpack

08-24-2013, 12:25 AM

Backpack is correct. After all the 403 errors, I opted to move the site to its own private server, rather than the shared server it's been on since 2004. If you're still seeing the maintenance message, it's because your machine is still hitting the old IP address rather than the new one. You can either ask your IT person to flush DNS, or you can edit your host file like so:

1. Go to Start>Run and paste C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\ in there. It will open a directory. Open the hosts file in there. If it asks you what program to use to open it, pick a text editor like notepad or wordpad.

2. Add the following line in there: 192.237.179.171 mtgthesource.com www.mtgthesource.com (http://www.mtgthesource.com)

3. Save it and close it.

This will allow your computer to bypass local DNS and go directly to the correct IP for the site.

What if he's using a Mac? Not everyone uses Windows, you know.

P.S. I was in love with my cousin once.

XdeckX

08-24-2013, 02:31 AM

That sounds like it might be the cause.
Although I dont really feel like telling our IT department to flush the DNS so I can access The Source (which of course is hardly work related)
Eventually the DNS should update as far as I know. And editing the hosts file is something that could work although I dont know if that's even possible (dont know if you need admin access for that)

So I more or less just need to wait for the DNS to update to the new IP.

Nihil Credo

08-24-2013, 07:23 AM

Try entering http://192.237.179.171/forums/forum.php directly into your browser.

(I think you need the /forums/forum.php part because with just the IP address I get redirected to mtgthesource.com, and that would probably fall to an un-updated DNS again.)