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View Full Version : Comcast blocks acces to Safer-networking and Spybot



tallard
2008-06-22, 01:36
Good afternoon
OK, this is a little political I guess, but I really really really hate Comcast!

Nearly two months ago, our Comcast service went a little haywire so we shut down the desktop computer and accessed the web with our laptops through our neighbor's unsecured wifi.

two weeks ago, Comcast finally got their act together and our service returned, so we reconnected the desktop computer and I started updating everything (almost 2 months off). All updates were going ok but not Spybot, I tried uninstalling and reinstalling various older versions, I tried deactivating my firewall, AVG, making sure page permissions were right, cleaned up the registry, endless hours after work, to absolutely no avail. I then googled for help and and found various help forums but could not access anything from Safer-Networking or Spybot.info. At that point I pretty much lost hope and thought maybe Spybot was out of business, I just couldn't figure any other reason??? Then 2 nights ago, I accidentally logged my laptop onto the neighbor's wifi again, and boom, all spybot websites loaded fine and the upload worked fine. I disconnected and reconnected to my wifi, bam, no reaching anything spybot, back to the other wifi, everything is fine. At this point I realise it's a Comcast blocking issue.

So I google that and find that Comcast for the past couple of months has been blocking P2P sites and apparently this can affect Spybot downloads, although why it would affect spybot pages I don't know... Apparantly there's a court case being started up against them.

Anyway, so my laptop's fine, all I have to do is continue mooching off the generous neighbor, but the condo's desktop is doomed to say goodbye to Spybot as it's hardwired into Comcast and the condo bldg does not allow satellite dishes, so we're stuck.

I HATE COMCAST!!! I guess Spybot execs should join the lawsuit against Comcast. I am however a little intrigued how little this has been discussed anywhere on the web, either it's too recent, or there are localized policies, I don't know, but according to what I've read, Comcast denies everything...:rolleyes:

drragostea
2008-06-22, 02:38
Hm, I don't see how Comcast may block access to SaferNetworking's page.

Your neighbors are sure generous :laugh:, but tell them to secure their connection with... WEP or was it WEP2. I heard that the Zlob, aka, DNSChanger started snuggling into home modems.
--
What is WEP? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wired_Equivalent_Privacy)
--
I'm not a Comcast user so I wouldn't be sure how good the service is. Is it a DSL connection?

You said that you could not access Spybot's page. Was it this?
--
SaferNetworking's page (Spybot-S&D) (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/)
--

I'm not sure if it has to do with the HOSTS file or anything :P. I'm stumped.

tallard, do you see a blank page when attempting to access the site, or did it say it was "not found"?

shelf life
2008-06-22, 06:16
hi,

comcasts "delaying,blocking,throttling" of torrent traffic is well documented.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080606-customers-cry-fraud-over-comcast-p2p-meddling-in-new-lawsuit.html
you sure your computer is malware free? Malware can often block access to security type web pages.

tallard
2008-06-22, 17:46
I'm not a Comcast user so I wouldn't be sure how good the service is. Is it a DSL connection?

It's cable, our cable line provides TV, internet and phone


You said that you could not access Spybot's page. Was it this?

I can't reach either spybot.info OR safer-networking pages.


tallard, do you see a blank page when attempting to access the site, or did it say it was "not found"?

To duplicate my problem, I had to logout of my neighbors wifi, login to mine, then I get a "this connection has timed out" error on this forum page and on the link you suggested. This is exactly what the article I read says, Comcast sends "fake" packets of information between user and site faking overload of website, suggesting we try back later.

My surprise is that the article states Commycast only does this to PW2P sites, and I don't see how Spybot qualifies as a P2P site, but then again, Commycast is denying everything so who knows.

How to know if Spybot owners/execs know about this?

drragostea
2008-06-22, 17:56
A cable connection (very fast) shouldn't time out that easily. So I'm assuming it has something to do with Comcast's service? *scratches head. SaferNetworking does not qualify or even is a P2P site.

Do you use a firewall?

I don't see how Spybot execs can do about this, apparently it's Comcast service that's in the way. Try giving them a call to the Tech Support.

Like they say, "We don't know unless you say it." Stand up, tallard. :cowboy:

tallard
2008-06-22, 18:11
comcasts "delaying,blocking,throttling" of torrent traffic is well documented.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080606-customers-cry-fraud-over-comcast-p2p-meddling-in-new-lawsuit.html

Indeed, that was the page I read, but it doesn't mention not reaching Spybot sites at large? I'd expect this to be on dozens of pages!


you sure your computer is malware free? Malware can often block access to security type web pages.

Three computers in condo, neither can connect through Commycast, both laptops CAN connect via neighbor's wifi. What are the chances the same ISP specific malware would be on all three computers, and is there such a thing as an ISP specific malware?

drragostea
2008-06-22, 18:15
Could Comcast be mistaken SaferNetworking for rogue "Spybots" such as SpywareBot or SpywareStop?

tallard
2008-06-22, 18:26
Do you use a firewall?

Only windows XP one, and I had it turned off for my "experiments" :)


I don't see how Spybot execs can do about this, apparently it's Comcast service that's in the way.

This is where I sound lame, my roommate, the comcast account holder, doesn't use spybot and isn't often around, so it's not much of a priority for her... :(

I Googled a couple of cases of POed website owners complaining to Commycast, but Spybot, my my! this is pretty big, surely I'm not the only one, it should affect thousands of user:scratch:

I of course will get onto my roommate's case to get on this, but she's not too computer savvy... I do hope Spybot gives Commycast a hardtime, this should be a very public issue!:wav:

drragostea
2008-06-22, 18:34
Indeed it is. It's affecting not only you put others too.

Spybot execs can't make their site any better, by connections means, because if dial-up users can access it, then it's fine.

My strongest suggestion would talking to the Tech Support asking WHY is Comcast blocking service to Spybot.

I would suggest using a firewall, a third party would be better. At least having the default Windows firewall on would be better than nothing.

129260
2008-06-23, 23:10
And have never had any problems accessing there pages, as you can see i am on the forums almost every day, so i honestly do not know what is up..............thats really weird.....

drragostea
2008-06-24, 01:26
And have never had any problems accessing there pages, as you can see i am on the forums almost every day, so i honestly do not know what is up..............thats really weird.....

HOSTS file? I'm stumped.

tallard
2008-06-24, 03:23
I don't see how Spybot execs can do about this, apparently it's Comcast service that's in the way. Try giving them a call to the Tech Support.

Comcast customer service said they'd send a note to their engineers
Sypot support steam said try again in a couple of hours, GEESH!!!!! Like I haven't done all I can imagine for the past 2 weeks!!!! I REEXLAINED to them that I had no problem if I simply login with the neighbor.

But what this you mentioned elsewhere about hosts? Of course all this time I'm spending on the forum is on the neighbors wifi, nothing has changed :)

The other interesting item of note: when Googling spybot and/or forums, with AVG site advisor active, on my neighbor's wifi, I get the cute green checkmark next to each Spybot google item, but on my comcast driven wifi, I get a gray question mark next to the google results, so AVG isn't able to get through either...

Comcast gave me a case number... but I don't expect much from them either.

tallard
2008-06-24, 03:27
Do you think it might be local Comcast activity? It's three computers in this condo... and AVG site adviser isn't able to see the pages when I google them either... probably doesn't mean anything though.

Oh well, I get the feeling I'm going to have to join the COMCAST MUST DIE website !!! hi hi:D:

drragostea
2008-06-24, 03:40
Oh well, I get the feeling I'm going to have to join the COMCAST MUST DIE website !!! hi hi:D:

I'll remain neutral. I've experienced laggy dial-up speeds with Verizon when I first joined. Seems that now it's better. Back to normal. But I've heard many stories about Comcast.

Does your neighbor use Comcast service too? If so, then there might be "suspicious" activity going on! Just joking >:D.

Hrm. AVG uses LinkScanner correct? So you can access other sites with no problem?
--

It would be hard to know what you've been doing the last two weeks in your short posts. We wouldn't know unless you told us.

tallard, (sir), if you feel like killing Comcast service, feel free cause you got drragostea (http://forums.spybot.info/member.php?u=34880) by your side. Use a sledgehammer, btw. >: D

drragostea
2008-06-24, 03:42
But what this you mentioned elsewhere about hosts? Of course all this time I'm spending on the forum is on the neighbors wifi, nothing has changed :)

Hrm. You're right. Might not be the HOSTS.

bitman
2008-06-24, 08:34
Check the DNS servers listed on the router/modem provided by Comcast. Make sure they match the ones that Comcast specifies you should be using.

If they do, you could try temporarily changing them to something else or even simply pinging the Spybot S&D servers that fail on the WiFi first to get the IP, then ping those IP Addresses manually on Comcast to see if it's really blocking the IP or it's the DNS lookup that's actually failing.

Bitman

129260
2008-06-24, 21:07
a faulty router. I remember when i had a router that was doing rly good, but then it started going bad, it let me go on some sites perfectly, and others it just sat there. I got confirmation it was dying and i bought a new router, prob solved.

tallard
2008-06-26, 04:50
WEll I disconnected the router, that's no longer an issue either. performed tracert after that, while chatting with dumb comcast clone:

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Aqua Lounge Guests>tracert spybot.info

Tracing route to spybot.info [89.238.64.39]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 8 ms 8 ms 9 ms c-66-176-168-1.hsd1.fl.comcast.net [66.176.168.1]
2 8 ms 8 ms 9 ms 68.86.161.133
3 9 ms 8 ms 8 ms te-7-1-ur01.pompanobeach.fl.pompano.comcast.net[68.85.229.182]
4 8 ms 8 ms 8 ms te-9-3-ur01.hallandale.fl.pompano.comcast.net [68.85.229.186]
5 9 ms 8 ms 9 ms te-8-2-ur04.pompanobeach.fl.pompano.comcast.net[68.85.229.170]
6 9 ms 8 ms 9 ms te-9-3-ur02.northdade.fl.pompano.comcast.net [68.85.229.190]
7 9 ms 10 ms 9 ms te-9-3-ur01.northdade.fl.pompano.comcast.net [68.85.229.194]
8 10 ms 8 ms 9 ms te-9-3-ur03.northdade.fl.pompano.comcast.net [68.85.229.198]
9 * 10 ms 10 ms te-7-1-ar02.northdade.fl.pompano.comcast.net [68.86.91.82]
10 * 10 ms 10 ms pos-0-7-0-0-cr01.miami.fl.ibone.comcast.net [68.86.85.194]
11 23 ms 24 ms 25 ms pos-0-11-0-0-cr01.atlanta.ga.ibone.comcast.net [68.86.85.193]
12 134 ms 237 ms 27 ms TenGigabitethernet4-2.ar1.ATL2.gblx.net [146.82.33.157]
13 127 ms 128 ms 127 ms PLUSLINE-AG-IP-SERVICES.ge-1-2-0.408.ar2.FRA2.gblx.net [208.49.181.90]
14 129 ms 129 ms 128 ms 82.98.65.222
15 135 ms 133 ms 133 ms 213.83.9.254
16 134 ms 138 ms 136 ms ae0-0.ts-r6.6861.ip.teresto.net [217.24.235.41]

17 136 ms 137 ms 135 ms ge-0.cr.wnd.de.manitu.net [212.88.130.82]
18 * * * Request timed out.
19 * * * Request timed out.
20 * * * Request timed out.
21 * * * Request timed out.
22 * *

Comcast clone lady said : SEE IT IS NOT COMCAST FAULT, IT IS MANITU FAULT!!!!!!

who the Hey is manitu.net?????

tallard
2008-06-26, 04:54
And here is a tracert of my neighbor's wifi connection with which I have no problem, appears it's comcast as well, appears manitu is not a problem...

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Aqua Lounge Guests>tracert spybot.info

Tracing route to spybot.info [89.238.64.39]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 8 ms 8 ms 9 ms c-66-176-168-1.hsd1.fl.comcast.net [66.176.168.1]
2 8 ms 8 ms 9 ms 68.86.161.133
3 9 ms 8 ms 8 ms te-7-1-ur01.pompanobeach.fl.pompano.comcast.net[68.85.229.182]
4 8 ms 8 ms 8 ms te-9-3-ur01.hallandale.fl.pompano.comcast.net [68.85.229.186]
5 9 ms 8 ms 9 ms te-8-2-ur04.pompanobeach.fl.pompano.comcast.net[68.85.229.170]
6 9 ms 8 ms 9 ms te-9-3-ur02.northdade.fl.pompano.comcast.net [68.85.229.190]
7 9 ms 10 ms 9 ms te-9-3-ur01.northdade.fl.pompano.comcast.net [68.85.229.194]
8 10 ms 8 ms 9 ms te-9-3-ur03.northdade.fl.pompano.comcast.net [68.85.229.198]
9 * 10 ms 10 ms te-7-1-ar02.northdade.fl.pompano.comcast.net [68.86.91.82]
10 * 10 ms 10 ms pos-0-7-0-0-cr01.miami.fl.ibone.comcast.net [68.86.85.194]
11 23 ms 24 ms 25 ms pos-0-11-0-0-cr01.atlanta.ga.ibone.comcast.net [68.86.85.193]
12 134 ms 237 ms 27 ms TenGigabitethernet4-2.ar1.ATL2.gblx.net [146.82.33.157]
13 127 ms 128 ms 127 ms PLUSLINE-AG-IP-SERVICES.ge-1-2-0.408.ar2.FRA2.gblx.net [208.49.181.90]
14 129 ms 129 ms 128 ms 82.98.65.222
15 135 ms 133 ms 133 ms 213.83.9.254
16 134 ms 138 ms 136 ms ae0-0.ts-r6.6861.ip.teresto.net [217.24.235.41]

17 136 ms 137 ms 135 ms ge-0.cr.wnd.de.manitu.net [212.88.130.82]
18 * * * Request timed out.
19 * * * Request timed out.
20 * * * Request timed out.
21 * * * Request timed out.
22 * *

tallard
2008-06-26, 05:21
Check the DNS servers listed on the router/modem provided by Comcast. Make sure they match the ones that Comcast specifies you should be using.

If they do, you could try temporarily changing them to something else or even simply pinging the Spybot S&D servers that fail on the WiFi first to get the IP, then ping those IP Addresses manually on Comcast to see if it's really blocking the IP or it's the DNS lookup that's actually failing.

I've provided Tracerts... I pinged while chatting with futile Comcast customer service, got timed out.
Will pinging again tell us anything the tracert doesn't?

shelf life
2008-06-26, 05:56
those two tracerts look the same. one is from your machine the other from your neighbors? you can reach the forum from your neighbors connection? that .de at hop 17 is from a device in Germany. in the future you should edit out your own ip address before posting in a forum.

tallard
2008-06-26, 06:05
those two tracerts look the same. one is from your machine the other from your neighbors? you can reach the forum from your neighbors connection? that .de at hop 17 is from a device in Germany. in the future you should edit out your own ip address before posting in a forum.

thanks for concern, those were my first evert tracert activities... Notice one difference between the 2: the timeouts happen after manitu.net

Interestingly, Googling that IP address has lead me to several users all over the planet who've also timedout after hitting manitu.net server.

Surely we are getting closer to a possible solution, something's up with these manitu people, and myself have no idea how to go after that problem... they are blocking my modem but not my laptop... ???

thanks :)

shelf life
2008-06-27, 04:18
well i guess the only thing is that you can rule out it being a DNS issue if you can reach the site via your neighbors wifi who also uses comcast. you could as bitman suggested try a different DNS server like opendns:

http://www.opendns.com/

bitman
2008-06-27, 08:06
Hmmmm, those traceroutes are interesting, if they're really from the two different connections than I don't see why one would work and the other not.

Here's a portion of a Traceroute form a RoadRunner [TWC] cable network:

7 10 ms 10 ms 11 ms ae-5-0.cr0.chi30.tbone.rr.com [66.109.6.112]
8 9 ms 9 ms 9 ms ae-1-0.pr0.chi10.tbone.rr.com [66.109.6.155]
9 34 ms 35 ms 33 ms 66.109.9.202
10 135 ms 135 ms 135 ms PLUSLINE-AG-IP-SERVICES.ge-1-2-0.408.ar2.FRA2.gb
lx.net [208.49.181.90]
11 273 ms 204 ms 207 ms 82.98.65.222
12 129 ms 129 ms 129 ms 213.83.9.254
13 136 ms 132 ms 133 ms ae0-0.ts-r6.6861.ip.teresto.net [217.24.235.41]

14 133 ms 130 ms 129 ms ge-0.cr.wnd.de.manitu.net [212.88.130.82]
15 135 ms 133 ms 133 ms www.safer-networking.org [89.238.64.39]

Trace complete.

Note that the last few hops are the same with only the last hop dropping out for you. I don't see a good explanation yet, though I'd guess it might be a peering issue of some sort. Traditionally I've seen most traffic to Safer Networking pass through Amsterdam with most Telco (e.g. AT&T) based connections, though I think they recently changed their hosting, so this may have changed to.

I really don't like going through France to get to Germany since they're normally badly peered in Southern Europe, but the actual times here are reasonable for a hop over the pond, so that's why I suspect an issue with peering for Comcast or Global Crossing (gblx.net)

Bitman