403 error when attempting to access the forum

[Pedrober]

How do I resolve "403 Error - The request could not be satisfied. Request Blocked" in CloudFront? Apparently, it's related to the fact I am using a VPN to browse the Internet. Sadly, it makes difficult to access these forums.

[walt.farrell]

How did you get here to post your question? Did you disable the VPN? Or use a different device?

What URL do you request that gets the 403 error?

[Pedrober]

Thank you very much for your message, Walt.

None of the other forums seems to be suitable for this question. Then, I came here.

Of course, if I disable the VPN, no problem and once the connection is established, no problem too, even if I am using the VPN, like now.

The requested URL are:

https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/forum/82-publisher-2-bugs-found-on-windows/

https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/forum/138-21-new-features-and-improvements/

Anyhow, if I go to https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/. Menu, Forum, I found the same problem, but, as stated, it's tipically connected with my first attempt to access the forum.

I would like to know if I am the only user affected by this problem. In that case, the problem is here.

 

[walt.farrell]

So, if I understand, you need to disable the VPN and then you can connect. And then you can enable the VPN again and remain connected?

What VPN are you using? And what endpoint have you configured?

[Pedrober]

Sure. It's that way: problems to get the first connection and, once connected, I can enable the VPN. Sometimes, the problem comes back when I don't visit the forum for a long time, but not very often.

One of my strategies to solve the problem is to connect the VPN (Surfshark) to a different server and it works. Then I can go back to my usual servers in Portugal or Spain.

Anyhow, if I am the only user suffering this problem...

[walt.farrell]

Thanks. Sorry, I have no idea what might be happening.

Maybe one of the Serif staff will know.

[Pedrober]

Next time, I'll copy the whole message. Maybe it will be useful for the Serif staff.

[Leigh]

2 hours ago, Pedrober said:

Next time, I'll copy the whole message. Maybe it will be useful for the Serif staff.

Please do

[Pedrober]

After several days without receiving this error, it comes again this morning. I switched my VPN to a different server and it was possible to load the pages.

These are the complete error messages.

403 ERROR
The request could not be satisfied.
Request blocked. We can't connect to the server for this app or website at this time. There might be too much traffic or a configuration error. Try again later, or contact the app or website owner.
If you provide content to customers through CloudFront, you can find steps to troubleshoot and help prevent this error by reviewing the CloudFront documentation.

Generated by cloudfront (CloudFront)
Request ID: SLK0KoO2vlUmvqjielOFZsg1cmiF1x853Ake35sI86YF8qGpZhBHgA==


403 ERROR
The request could not be satisfied.
Request blocked. We can't connect to the server for this app or website at this time. There might be too much traffic or a configuration error. Try again later, or contact the app or website owner.
If you provide content to customers through CloudFront, you can find steps to troubleshoot and help prevent this error by reviewing the CloudFront documentation.

Generated by cloudfront (CloudFront)
Request ID: E4Omvp_s0Ga3BBRCybk-_uqAR-Rbz94bclpludizEEsyXG3KHb_cNw==
 

[walt.farrell]

1 hour ago, Pedrober said:

I switched my VPN to a different server and it was possible to load the pages

What VPN are you using, and what are the two servers that are involved (one that failed, and one that worked)?

[Pedrober]

The first VPN server was in Oporto. The second was in Lisbon, but, afterwards, none of the servers worked and it was necessary to disconnect the VPN. Anyhow, now, no problem at all. I am using the Oporto server and I can write my answer.

[walt.farrell]

Thanks. And which VPN application do you use?

[Pedrober]

The VPN I am using is Surfshark.

[Pedrober]

The problem continues today. Same message. Same workaround.

[Pedrober]

But today, no problem at all...

[Leigh]

On 5/13/2023 at 10:06 AM, Pedrober said:

After several days without receiving this error, it comes again this morning. I switched my VPN to a different server and it was possible to load the pages.

These are the complete error messages.

403 ERROR
The request could not be satisfied.
Request blocked. We can't connect to the server for this app or website at this time. There might be too much traffic or a configuration error. Try again later, or contact the app or website owner.
If you provide content to customers through CloudFront, you can find steps to troubleshoot and help prevent this error by reviewing the CloudFront documentation.

Generated by cloudfront (CloudFront)
Request ID: SLK0KoO2vlUmvqjielOFZsg1cmiF1x853Ake35sI86YF8qGpZhBHgA==


403 ERROR
The request could not be satisfied.
Request blocked. We can't connect to the server for this app or website at this time. There might be too much traffic or a configuration error. Try again later, or contact the app or website owner.
If you provide content to customers through CloudFront, you can find steps to troubleshoot and help prevent this error by reviewing the CloudFront documentation.

Generated by cloudfront (CloudFront)
Request ID: E4Omvp_s0Ga3BBRCybk-_uqAR-Rbz94bclpludizEEsyXG3KHb_cNw==
 

Our Web team have looked into this further and it appears the IP you're being assigned by your VPN/SurfShark is being blocked by our AWS firewall due to its reputation rules.

You don't have to answer this but is there a particular reason why you need to use a VPN to connect to our forum?

[Pedrober]

Obviously, there is no need to use a VPN to access the forum, but  (as far as I know) this version of Surshark doesn't let me to bypass the VPN in a connection while I am using  the VPN for other connections.

[MikeTO]

I had a 403 error with the forum for the first time today. Not a big deal, I just hit refresh. I am not using a VPN. It happened while using search.

403 ERROR

The request could not be satisfied.

---

Request blocked. We can't connect to the server for this app or website at this time. There might be too much traffic or a configuration error. Try again later, or contact the app or website owner. 
If you provide content to customers through CloudFront, you can find steps to troubleshoot and help prevent this error by reviewing the CloudFront documentation. 

---

Generated by cloudfront (CloudFront)
Request ID: lw6CKwpQocDotolso75W6hvAAqWrQZdCstc-xT1wUkNEpzWNM70VhA==

[Pedrober]

Then it's time to update the Serif firewall...

[walt.farrell]

1 hour ago, Pedrober said:

Then it's time to update the Serif firewall...

If you're referring to @MikeTO's comment: There can always be temporary glitches in the network.

[Leigh]

On 5/17/2023 at 8:53 AM, Pedrober said:

Obviously, there is no need to use a VPN to access the forum, but  (as far as I know) this version of Surshark doesn't let me to bypass the VPN in a connection while I am using  the VPN for other connections.

Thanks for the information. Will mention this to our Web Team but not sure what the outcome will be as bypassing the AWS Mange IPReputation List could open the Forum up to more SPAM/Bots from previously blocked IPs.