• Clicking a stored shortcut and being told "Sorry, you have been blocked" ?

    From R.Wieser@address@is.invalid to comp.sys.raspberry-pi on Wed Apr 1 11:47:07 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.raspberry-pi

    Hello all,

    I just clicked an old (2023), stored shortcut(1), and was told "Sorry, you have been blocked".

    The explanation on that page was that "There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.", which tells me nothing. *Especially* as I used
    a once-good *stored* URL.

    Heck, I even get the same error trying to access the forums root page(2)

    Can anyone tell me whats going on ?

    (1)
    https://forums.raspberrypi.com/viewtopic.php?t=188113 https://forums.raspberrypi.com/viewtopic.php?t=338677

    (2)
    https://forums.raspberrypi.com

    Regards,
    Rudy Wieser


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  • From Andy Burns@usenet@andyburns.uk to comp.sys.raspberry-pi on Wed Apr 1 10:56:37 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.raspberry-pi

    R.Wieser wrote:

    Can anyone tell me whats going on ?

    All your included URLs work here, have you tried clearing cache and/or cookies? Try with a blank test profile in your browser?


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  • From R.Wieser@address@is.invalid to comp.sys.raspberry-pi on Wed Apr 1 12:51:20 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.raspberry-pi

    Andy,

    have you tried clearing cache and/or cookies?

    The cache has been, in between then and now, cleared a few times. Cookies
    are discarded (all of them) when I close my browser. History has been
    cleaned up a few times too.

    Try with a blank test profile in your browser?

    Just tried with a profile that has never visited that website. Same error.

    Regards,
    Rudy Wieser


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  • From Theo@theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk to comp.sys.raspberry-pi on Wed Apr 1 11:58:31 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.raspberry-pi

    R.Wieser <address@is.invalid> wrote:
    Andy,

    have you tried clearing cache and/or cookies?

    The cache has been, in between then and now, cleared a few times. Cookies are discarded (all of them) when I close my browser. History has been cleaned up a few times too.

    Try with a blank test profile in your browser?

    Just tried with a profile that has never visited that website. Same error.

    Sounds like anti-AI-bot protections that websites are using nowadays.
    Perhaps your IP or IP range got blocked for some reason. Give a while and
    try again.

    Theo
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  • From Andy Burns@usenet@andyburns.uk to comp.sys.raspberry-pi on Wed Apr 1 12:10:36 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.raspberry-pi

    R.Wieser wrote:

    Just tried with a profile that has never visited that website. Same error.
    Do you have a static IP address? If so try with a VPN ...

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  • From The Natural Philosopher@tnp@invalid.invalid to comp.sys.raspberry-pi on Wed Apr 1 13:00:29 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.raspberry-pi

    On 01/04/2026 10:47, R.Wieser wrote:
    Hello all,

    I just clicked an old (2023), stored shortcut(1), and was told "Sorry, you have been blocked".

    The explanation on that page was that "There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.", which tells me nothing. *Especially* as I used a once-good *stored* URL.

    Heck, I even get the same error trying to access the forums root page(2)

    Can anyone tell me whats going on ?

    Works for me, but a cloudflare(?) proxy site flashes up to 'check I am
    human'

    Presumably your IP address is from a block used by spammers and hackers.

    Are you using a VPN that is now blocked?


    (1)
    https://forums.raspberrypi.com/viewtopic.php?t=188113 https://forums.raspberrypi.com/viewtopic.php?t=338677

    (2)
    https://forums.raspberrypi.com

    Regards,
    Rudy Wieser


    --
    "When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign,
    that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."

    Jonathan Swift.

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  • From The Natural Philosopher@tnp@invalid.invalid to comp.sys.raspberry-pi on Wed Apr 1 13:02:09 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.raspberry-pi

    On 01/04/2026 12:10, Andy Burns wrote:
    R.Wieser wrote:

    Just tried with a profile that has never visited that website.  Same
    error.
    Do you have a static IP address? If so try with a VPN ...

    Just as likely to be you are on a dynamic block that has, in the past,
    been allocated to some very naughty boys...
    --
    “it should be clear by now to everyone that activist environmentalism
    (or environmental activism) is becoming a general ideology about humans,
    about their freedom, about the relationship between the individual and
    the state, and about the manipulation of people under the guise of a
    'noble' idea. It is not an honest pursuit of 'sustainable development,'
    a matter of elementary environmental protection, or a search for
    rational mechanisms designed to achieve a healthy environment. Yet
    things do occur that make you shake your head and remind yourself that
    you live neither in Joseph Stalin’s Communist era, nor in the Orwellian utopia of 1984.”

    Vaclav Klaus

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  • From R.Wieser@address@is.invalid to comp.sys.raspberry-pi on Wed Apr 1 15:55:39 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.raspberry-pi

    Theo,

    Sounds like anti-AI-bot protections that websites are using nowadays.

    Thats part of the problem : I used a stored shortcut, meaning that whatever
    I send them is what they gave me.

    Perhaps your IP or IP range got blocked for some reason.

    In that case I expect something better than an it-could-be-anything
    rejection.

    Give a while and try again.

    I tried to use the link after a two, three year period of not having used
    it. Should I give it four years ? :-)

    Regards,
    Rudy Wieser


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  • From R.Wieser@address@is.invalid to comp.sys.raspberry-pi on Wed Apr 1 16:09:02 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.raspberry-pi

    Andy,

    Just tried with a profile that has never visited that website. Same
    error.

    Do you have a static IP address? If so try with a VPN ...

    I've never used a VPN, and have no wish to start paying for one - just for a single test..

    But I think I found a likely cause. Do you ever visit websites which demand you should disable ad-blockers - that you do not have ? And when inspecting the page source its just some crap that gets removed with a bit of
    Javascript ?

    It looks like thats the cause : My browser doesn't do JS, so all that I see
    is initial 403 page - which only gets replaced when a bit of JS causes a navigation to another webpage :

    ( /cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/scripts/jsd/main.js )

    Oh well, another website down the drain. :-(

    Regards,
    Rudy Wieser


    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mike Scott@usenet.16@scottsonline.org.uk.invalid to comp.sys.raspberry-pi on Wed Apr 1 15:21:40 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.raspberry-pi

    On 01/04/2026 14:55, R.Wieser wrote:
    In that case I expect something better than an it-could-be-anything rejection.

    "Blessed is he who expecteth nothing, for he shall surely receive his expectations."

    If they believe your IP is a bad'n, why would they give you any extra information which might enable you to circumvent their block?

    I suggest you check your IP at, for example, whatismyipaddress.com/blacklist-check or https://www.iptoolbox.org/blacklist-check.php
    (other checkers are available)
    --
    Mike Scott
    Harlow, England
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  • From The Natural Philosopher@tnp@invalid.invalid to comp.sys.raspberry-pi on Wed Apr 1 15:29:59 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.raspberry-pi

    On 01/04/2026 14:55, R.Wieser wrote:
    Theo,

    Sounds like anti-AI-bot protections that websites are using nowadays.

    Thats part of the problem : I used a stored shortcut, meaning that whatever
    I send them is what they gave me.

    There is nothing wrong with the URL
    There is something wrong with either your stored data or your IP address.
    Or you are in Russia or Iran.
    --
    “when things get difficult you just have to lie”

    ― Jean Claud Jüncker

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  • From The Natural Philosopher@tnp@invalid.invalid to comp.sys.raspberry-pi on Wed Apr 1 15:32:34 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.raspberry-pi

    On 01/04/2026 15:09, R.Wieser wrote:
    But I think I found a likely cause. Do you ever visit websites which demand you should disable ad-blockers - that you do not have ? And when inspecting the page source its just some crap that gets removed with a bit of
    Javascript ?

    It looks like thats the cause : My browser doesn't do JS, so all that I see is initial 403 page - which only gets replaced when a bit of JS causes a navigation to another webpage :

    Why oi earth do you not use one that does?

    ( /cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/scripts/jsd/main.js )

    Oh well, another website down the drain. 🙁

    Oh well, another old timer left by the wayside.
    Like it or not javascript is as essential these days as HTML and CSS.
    --
    Those who want slavery should have the grace to name it by its proper
    name. They must face the full meaning of that which they are advocating
    or condoning; the full, exact, specific meaning of collectivism, of its logical implications, of the principles upon which it is based, and of
    the ultimate consequences to which these principles will lead. They must
    face it, then decide whether this is what they want or not.

    Ayn Rand.

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  • From R.Wieser@address@is.invalid to comp.sys.raspberry-pi on Wed Apr 1 17:31:01 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.raspberry-pi

    Mike,

    In that case I expect something better than an it-could-be-anything
    rejection.
    ...
    If they believe your IP is a bad'n, why would they give you any extra information which might enable you to circumvent their block?

    They didn't. Just some vague blurb that could mean anything and nothing. Absolutily and totally useless.

    If you don't believe me that just take a peek at the suggestions that have been offered. No idea about the cause, just guesswork and methods to check
    if that might be it.

    But, if you think that you know what that blurb is actually trying to point
    at and suggests to remedy the situation than don't hold back and tell me.
    Good luck.

    Regards,
    Rudy Wieser


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  • From druck@news@druck.org.uk to comp.sys.raspberry-pi on Wed Apr 1 16:47:49 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.raspberry-pi

    On 01/04/2026 15:09, R.Wieser wrote:
    I've never used a VPN, and have no wish to start paying for one - just for a single test..

    Firefox 149 has a builtin free VPN.

    ---druck

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  • From Andy Burns@usenet@andyburns.uk to comp.sys.raspberry-pi on Wed Apr 1 19:28:40 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.raspberry-pi

    "R.Wieser" wrote:

    I've never used a VPN, and have no wish to start paying for one

    Me neither (except for workplace VPNs)

    but firefox and opera may allow you to use a free VPN?

    But I think I found a likely cause. Do you ever visit websites which demand you should disable ad-blockers - that you do not have ? And when inspecting the page source its just some crap that gets removed with a bit of
    Javascript ?

    It looks like thats the cause : My browser doesn't do JS, so all that I see is initial 403 page - which only gets replaced when a bit of JS causes a navigation to another webpage :

    ( /cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/scripts/jsd/main.js )

    From cloudflare?

    Oh well, another website down the drain. :-(

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mike Scott@usenet.16@scottsonline.org.uk.invalid to comp.sys.raspberry-pi on Wed Apr 1 20:31:32 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.raspberry-pi

    On 01/04/2026 15:32, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
    On 01/04/2026 15:09, R.Wieser wrote:
    But I think I found a likely cause.  Do you ever visit websites which
    demand
    you should disable ad-blockers - that you do not have ?  And when
    inspecting
    the page source its just some crap that gets removed with a bit of
    Javascript ?

    It looks like thats the cause : My browser doesn't do JS, so all that
    I see
    is initial 403 page - which only gets replaced when a bit of JS causes a
    navigation to another webpage :

    Why oi earth do you not use one that does?

    ( /cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/scripts/jsd/main.js )

    Oh well, another website down the drain. 🙁

    Oh well, another old timer left by the wayside.
    Like it or not javascript is as essential these days as HTML and CSS.



    I just tried with the links browser. It tells me to enable javascript
    and cookies to continue.

    Makes me wonder if its disability compliant - seems likely a screen
    reader won't run with it. SEP, thank goodness.
    --
    Mike Scott
    Harlow, England
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  • From The Natural Philosopher@tnp@invalid.invalid to comp.sys.raspberry-pi on Wed Apr 1 20:56:50 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.raspberry-pi

    On 01/04/2026 16:31, R.Wieser wrote:
    But, if you think that you know what that blurb is actually trying to point at and suggests to remedy the situation than don't hold back and tell me.

    People who have implemented web servers at a more basic level know that
    you can easily generate a message like '660 stop wanking over your
    keyboard' if you really want.
    What it says is no guide to why its there.

    Teh back end doesn't like you for some reasons. You may have a weird
    cookie set or be on someone's IP blocklist

    You have been told how to check for both,
    Now fuck off and stop moaning
    --
    "Corbyn talks about equality, justice, opportunity, health care, peace, community, compassion, investment, security, housing...."
    "What kind of person is not interested in those things?"

    "Jeremy Corbyn?"


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  • From R.Wieser@address@is.invalid to comp.sys.raspberry-pi on Wed Apr 1 21:50:44 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.raspberry-pi

    druck,

    Firefox 149 has a builtin free VPN.

    I know.

    But I also know that it won't want to run on the version of Windows I'm
    using.

    Regards,
    Rudy Wieser


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  • From R.Wieser@address@is.invalid to comp.sys.raspberry-pi on Wed Apr 1 22:00:32 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.raspberry-pi

    Andy,

    I've never used a VPN, and have no wish to start paying for one

    Me neither (except for workplace VPNs)

    but firefox and opera may allow you to use a free VPN?

    I know about FF offering it - in its latest versions. Which can't be installed on the Windows version I'm running.

    ( /cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/scripts/jsd/main.js )

    From cloudflare?

    Possible.

    ping -a forums.raspberrypi.com

    shows

    forums.raspberrypi.com.cdn.cloudflare.net

    Doesn't mean its "from cloudflare" though - just that the website is hosted
    by it.

    Regards,
    Rudy Wieser


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  • From mm0fmf@none@invalid.com to comp.sys.raspberry-pi on Thu Apr 2 20:04:11 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.raspberry-pi

    On 01/04/2026 20:56, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

    You have been told how to check for both,
    Now fuck off and stop moaning


    You know Rudy's modus operandi too well ;-)

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