[Hidden-tech] Verizon blockage problem (long post)

[David Korpiewski]

When I run into similar problems, I just switch over to the Google 
public DNS servers.  A handy thing to keep around because it can help 
you know if the problem is Verizon DNS servers or if something else in 
the pipe is not working right:

Google Free DNS servers:
     8.8.8.8
     8.8.4.4

David

On 9/15/2011 8:38 AM, Reva Reck wrote:
>     ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>     ** If you did, we all thank you.
>
>
>
>
>
> Have you detailed your trouble-shooting steps to Verizon? I don't think
> they're allowed to block websites, and it seems pretty clear that's what
> they're doing - unless this is a software security "service" you agreed
> to have them provide. If you don't get anywhere with their support tech,
> you could demand to talk to a supervisor and let the supervisor know
> that you're prepared to go to the state telecommunications regulators. A
> call to Ben Downing's office might be productive. I know this probably
> seems like a colossal hassle, but I think this is worth fighting for.
> Think about the implications of Verizon being able to control where we
> go on the internet.
>
> /Reva Reck/
>
> /reva//@//revareck.com/
>
>
> On 9/15/2011 7:50 AM, Marcia Yudkin wrote:
>>     ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>>     ** If you did, we all thank you.
>>
>>
>> Hi techies!
>>
>> Since last Saturday, I've had a weird problem with Verizon DSL and have finally narrowed down the possibilities.  It appears that Verizon is blocking me from accessing certain web sites - including at times my Pair.com mail server, sometimes my own web sites hosted by Pair, and almost all the time my shopping cart site.  Everything else appears to be working.
>>
>> Here's what we have eliminated:
>>
>> 1)The problem occurs identically on all three computers hooked up to our home network.
>>
>> 2)We thought it was a faulty modem, ordered a new modem and that didn't seem to change the results.
>>
>> 3)We went to the library and confirmed that all the unreachable sites were reachable there on their computer.
>>
>> 4)We brought a laptop to the library and were able to access everything by connecting through the library's network.
>>
>> 5)If I try a proxy server, I'm able to reach all the problematic sites.
>>
>> When my husband tried to trace the route between our computer and the sites we can't get, it appears that the signal gets stuck at the hop just beyond our modem.
>>
>> I have three questions:
>>
>> 1)Has anyone else had this problem with Verizon DSL?
>>
>> 2)What can I tell them that will get them to fix the problem for me?  Or is there a way to escalate the problem to someone who can fix it?
>>
>> 3)If I can't get Verizon to solve the problem (their ability/willingness to help is limited and oh so time-consuming!), then is there a safe workaround involving some kind of proxy server?  Since one of the sites I can't reach is my shopping cart site, and that is a service I can't afford to open up to hackers, any workaround needs to be secure.  I read a little about proxy servers and it looks like I would need some kind of paid service, which I don't mind as long as it's not expensive and is trustworthy.  But this is over my head, technically.
>>
>> I'm grateful for any pointers in the direction of a solution.  Please be mindful, though, that if you get really technical in your answer I may not understand what you're talking about!'
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Marcia Yudkin
>> Goshen
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