attention required: cloud flare

Recently while accessing some websites with my MacBook Pro running OSX 10.11.2 I started to be redirected to a Cloud Flare page asking me to enter a captcha. I thought first that this was a problem with the Firefox browser, but Safari brings the same result. I tried to access the same URL with my iPad (Safari and Firefox) and it brought the same result.

Interestingly, using an Android phone on the very same WiFi AP does not bring up the Cloud Flare page and connects directly to the URL without trouble.

So, the problem seems to be limited to Apple devices.

Does anybody know what the problem might be? It is actually very annoying to have to enter a captcha which is very difficult to read everytime.

The Cloud Flare page suggests to proceed with a malware scan of the system. I did it with Bitdefender which does not turn up with anything suspicious.

Thanks in advance for the help.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.2)

Posted on Dec 22, 2015 7:43 PM

Top-ranking reply

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Posted on Dec 27, 2015 8:23 AM

What you're doing won't have any lasting effect.

Please back up all data.

Unlock the Network preference pane, if necessary, by clicking the lock icon in the lower left corner and entering your password. Cllck Advanced, open the DNS tab, and change the server addresses to the following:

8.8.8.8

8.8.4.4

That's Google DNS. Click OK, then Apply.

In Safari, select

Safari ▹ Preferences... ▹ Privacy ▹ Remove All Website Data

and confirm. If you’re using another browser, empty the cache. Test. Any difference?

Notes:

1. If you lose Internet access after making the above change to your network settings, delete the Google servers in the Network preference pane, then select the TCP/IP tab and click Renew DHCP Lease. That should restore the original DNS settings; otherwise restore them yourself. Remember that you must click Apply in order for any changes to take effect.

2. I don't use Google DNS myself, though I have tested it, and I'm not recommending it or any other DNS provider; the server addresses are offered merely for testing purposes. There may be privacy and technical issues involved in using that service, which you should investigate personally before you decide whether to keep the settings. Other public DNS services exist.

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16 replies

jpbeer Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 31, 2015 11:59 PM in response to Linc Davis

In the meantime I have checked this with the SIM of another ISP. And you are right! I do not get the Cloudflare page anymore.

Thanks a lot and Happy New Year.

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attention required: cloud flare