Suddenly no access to adult or graphic content websites

Hello,


I am suddenly unable to load adult content websites or those with graphic content. I have observed this behaviour after installing the latest macOS Monterey upgrade the day before yesterday.

I have no restrictions set up in my screen time. I have not changed or modified any settings recently as far as I am aware. I can, however, access the websites from my iPhone connected to the same router so I guess it is not a blocking by my internet provider.

I have tried changing my DNS settings but this hasn't helped.

What should I do?

MacBook Pro Retina

Posted on Apr 5, 2022 5:23 AM

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Posted on Apr 5, 2022 6:09 AM

Hmmm... that would indicate the server is refusing the connection, not your Mac.


Are you using a VPN?

Do you have iCloud private relay turned on?

If the answer to either is yes, turn it off. See if that makes a difference.

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28 replies

Apr 6, 2022 10:45 AM in response to steve626

@etresoft

Yes, I thought I wasn't using VPN intentionally for general browsing, but I do use it to connect to my work network, but I was under the impression my traffic was not routed therethrough (only the connection to work ), I still had my home IP address.


So, finally the problem has been solved!!!

The work VPN connection was changing my "/etc/resolv.conf" file a putting its DNS server therein even though I was not routing my general internet traffic through the VPN connection. I have found a way to switch off this behaviour of the VPN and now the websites work.


Thanks to all of you who tried to help me.

Apr 5, 2022 8:33 PM in response to sinepgnol

sinepgnol wrote:

However, I found out that this problem only occurs when I'm connected to my work VPN through which, however, I am not routing all my traffic and I only use this connection to connect to a remote shared hard drive. I specify this in my routing tables. When I connect to the VPN, I still have the same IP address than I had before connecting to the VPN, which confirms that I don't route all my traffic therethrough.

The VPN setup is managed by your employer. You may think you are bypassing it, but they are controlling the traffic, despite your routing tables. My employer used to have a split VPN and non-work internet traffic was supposed to be routed outside the work system but in fact that was not true all the time. Not only may they be rejecting your attempt to access those sites, they are probably logging it as well. Most employers are pretty unforgiving of this type of activity. But what is happening could even be more complicated than that: some web sites will try to find a way to detect and reject attempts to connect to them via VPN for all kinds of reasons. Suggest that you separate your personal browsing from your work computer and network.

Apr 5, 2022 4:41 PM in response to sinepgnol

sinepgnol wrote:

However, I found out that this problem only occurs when I'm connected to my work VPN

But didn't you say earlier:

I'm not using VPN


You are describing a complicated, non-standard configuration. Furthermore, corporate VPNs are very specific. You are unlikely to find anyone here who is going to be able to help. I recommend you contact your work IT support and I'm sure they will be able to resolve the situation.

Apr 5, 2022 8:16 AM in response to sinepgnol

Download and run this app so we can find more information about your installation.

https://etrecheck.com/upgrade

It shows what is launched and other information and is very useful in finding causes of problems. After you first launch the app make sure you check Enable full disk access in the box in lower left.


After running the app use the app's feature to paste to clipboard. Then paste it in the text box for a reply in this forum click on the addition text icon. This is because the normal reply text box limits how much you can type.

o personal identifiable information is contained if the app output. The app was written for a person who is contributor to these Apple Support Communities


Apr 5, 2022 6:26 AM in response to sinepgnol

If it works when you use a VPN but not when you don't, that would indicate the host site is refusing traffic from the public IP address you're getting from your ISP.


Unless you have a business account, you should be getting a dynamic address. Rebooting your router might result in getting a new public IP address. Try that. If that doesn't work, you will probably have to take the issue up with your ISP. For some reason, the hosts are not accepting traffic from them, or at least from that network segment.


Turning on iCloud private relay might get you around the issue as well, since all web traffic from Safari is redirected through multiple proxies, masking your actual IP address.


Apr 9, 2022 9:57 AM in response to sinepgnol

Is this your own personal computer or a work computer? Who configured it? Not sure what you mean when you say "when I disconnect the ethernet and WiFi" but if you are truly totally disconnected from the internet and you get that message, then it is originating from within your Mac and how it is configured. This type of error message can result from incorrect firewall, system or browser settings, or from malware. Or from something that is cached.


Does the Mac have any security or anti-virus software?

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Suddenly no access to adult or graphic content websites

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