Devices no longer able to access certain websites (usually involving https)

[djotaku]

Hello,

Starting around 21 Feb a bunch of sites started working really funky.  On Netflix I cannot login.  On flickr I can't post to group forums and other little functionality is broken.  I can't sign into Facebook.  I can't sign into Verizon.com sites (more on how I'm writing this in a second)  The rest of the non-interactive internet works perfectly fine so it's not a DNS issue.

So, there is one computer on which everything is working fine (that's how I got here to post) - otherwise I'd just think it was a network issue.  All the rest of my four computers do not work.  Also, my BluRay player and Roku box no longer can connect to Netflix.  

Since one computer works fine you might be thinking - "oh, he changed something on those others".  Actually, nope.  I even tested on a computer I hadn't used since December and that was working back then, but now cannot access those same sites.  I even booted into a live CD of Fedora Linux - so it's completely clean, DHCP - can't log into Netflix.  Also, I've tried both Firefox and Chrome - both of which work on the computer that is OK.

I ran wireshark on one of the affected computers - basically it's dropping packets on TLS sites.  Just over and over and over again - all I see is TCP Retransmission.  Obviously can't run wireshark on my BluRay player or Roku

First I checked all my settings, rebooted the computers, etc.  Eventually, I called tech support.  Well, first I chatted with tech support.  He had me run ipconfig /flushdns and he had me reset my modem - including pushing the little button on the back with a pen.  Confirmed that everything reset because I lost all my wireless settings.  After the modem reboot I lost him (as I expected would happen, despite him telling me it wouldn't).  Then I got on phone tech support.  Again, they had me check DNS and crap like that.  I know it can't be that stuff because how would I even do ipconfig /flushdns on my bluray player?

On my own, I've tried using Google's DNS servers at 8.8.8.8 as well as using the two nameservers I see in my router's webpage.  (The one at 192.168.1.1)

So what could it possibly be?  A broken router?  I assume if something'd changed at the neighbrhood level, they'd be getting tech suport calls up the wazoo, so it's probably just me?  I'm really annoyed because of the inconsistency - why does one computer work and none of my other devices?  The PS3 was on the fritz around the same time (kept complaining about DNS issues), but it "got better".  

I doubt it's something I've configured on my router since I rebooted it and cleared the settings.  The working computer is on static IP address, but so is every other device here.  Also, the liveCD of Linux was DHCP.  I know people like to come on forums and swear down and up that they haven't changed anything and then it turns out they did a system upgrade or changed something they thought was insignificant - but I literally have touched nothing.  I didn't even realize at first because the wife is the heavy user of the Roku and BluRay player.  And she knows well enough not to touch anything because she hates interruption in service.  (And I double-checked the settings anyway) ANYWAY - the 2 months untouched computer and the liveCD Linux are proof that it's nothing that's changed.  

Anyway, it's been a week now since everything broke.  And I when I got off the phone with tech support they said they put in some kind of ticket for me.  I can't find that on the Verizon website to check the status.  

So I was hoping I could get this problem solved somehow by posting on here.  The guys you get when you call tech support are clearly following a script and have no clue what's going on.  I've loved FiOS ever since I moved into my new house (couldn't get it in my apartment) and I really hate Comcast, but as of right now, my Internet connection is pretty useless.  I can't use my Netflix streaming devices (save the one PS3), and the reason we have more than one computer is so that we can do stuff no matter what computer we're on.  So if I want to manage my Netflix queue, I shouldn't have to go to the one computer in the house that can get to Netflix.

Here's hoping for some help!  Thanks!

[Hubrisnxs]

very wierd scenario.  just a few things,  might not be what you're looking for in the way of an answer, but if you could try it on one of the affected machines, and report back to homebase, it could help give us all a good starting point. 

In IE, go to Tools, Internet Options, then the Advanced tab, then make sure "Use SSL 2.0" and "Use SSL 3.0" are checked under Security.

Also try compatibility mode.  In IE, go to Tools, compatibility view settings. 

and as odd as it sounds, it could be a corrupt windows firewall.  try this, it's a tool to repair WMI & The Windows Firewall. http://www.pcwintech.com/shanes-toolbox)  (last download on the page)

I know the blu ray and the roku player throw a monkey wrench into the above, so I am not addressing those yet.  we can and will but I am focusing on the pc's first just to get on good ground,    

[djotaku]

Took a look at SSL - 3.0 and TLS 1.0 were checked.  Checked 2.0 and it still doesn't work.  

Straight up turned off the firewalls and no change.  

If it helps with diagnosis, I've noticed the following:

1) webpages seem slower than usual on all pages not just the affected ones.  It's not dialup slow, but slower than usual

2) on pages that work correctly:  even after a webpage seems to have loaded, the "loading indicator" keeps spinning.  If I look at the bottom, (status bar) it appears to be waiting for something to load from another server.  For example, ads.cnn.com or something like that

[Hubrisnxs]

could it be a bad BHO add on or extensions? 

try running without add ons/extensions and see if it responds better.   

[djotaku]

Nah, not the case because I ran a clean system and that didn't work either.

Another website that doesn't work correctly if I'm signed in: Barnes and Noble

[djotaku]

Hotmail also doesn't work - as far allowing me to sign in on affected computers.

[Highelf]

You know, last night, I came home and fired up the computer and my devices all had the exact same problem. Both of my laptops and my hardwired computer were running extremely slow - and I couldn't pull up places like foxnews.com, hotmail.com, speedtest.net, etc.

I got on the phone to speak with tech support, and he couldn't figure out what was going on. After an hour, he told me my router must have gone bad and he was sending out a new one.

I am wondering if they pushed an update through and it is not compatible with some of the routers they have out there. I mean, my internet is slower than dial up, but my home network through the router is fine.

I hope they have an answer for us soon.

[djotaku]

Oh you lucked out with them sending you the modem.  I guess I should do the same.  How long was your expected wait for delivery?  If it worked for sure with your new one I'd know for sure I should upgrade.

I know some time last year after all the snow storms they had to replace the box outside my house it had gone bad.  But I doubt it'd go back again in just a year.

[Hubrisnxs]

are you guys in NY? 

might be something going on in the area

Data trouble LI NY 

[djotaku]

No, I'm in Maryland

[Val1231]

I have a Mac and live in Maryland... I have the same problem. I can get around on my PC fine -but with my Mac its nothing but trouble... I can get on the home page of websites but after that the server times out or something.

I have been to the Apple store (where the Mac works fine) I have called Verizon (got put on hold for over 30 minutes) I have tried the home agent (worst service ever . )

[djotaku]

Very odd.  Many of my computers that can't get through are Linux.  So what's magical about Windows and Verizon?  My windows computer can get to everything.  So can my PS3.  

My bluray player and Roku box still can't connect to Netflix.  Hmm...... have you tried asking for a new modem like our Texan friend?  I'd be curious to know if he was on a Mac or Linux.  

[saltydog_1984]

Right somewhere in the middle of february i started suffering the same issues you have...and I am in baltimore area.  My Samsung Bluray player or tv refuse to stream netflix (used to be flawless) 5 macs...just loading the main netflix page takes several refreshes...and ipod touch..no go as well...have one windows laptop...will have to dig out to test it.

As of this writing I have had my ethernet port on my ONT activated and have tried bypassing the actiontec and using my netgear as my gateway...same result....but yet I have consistent speed tests of 29ish/28ish?......and now I can sometimes access netflix on the macs and streaming works on them now...still no go on the bluray/tv or ipod touch

for me netflix is the only issue I have noticed, pandora, all the secure logins I use all work fine...netflix is my one and only shortfall and again prior to the middle of the month last month I could stream from two devices at once and no issues.

[djotaku]

So glad you guys chimed in.  I was starting to think it was just me.  So that's at least 3 of us now in MD.  Hopefully this gets fixed soon now.  My last netflix streaming from my bluray player and roku was about mid-Feb as well.  Come on Verizon, fix this thing!

[Shablap]

I am in Maryland and it has been happening to me for at least a few days.  I started seeing it on HTTPS sites and then it slowly started on other sites.  I have read some forums and followed them blasting files etc and had few results.  

Maybe flashing the router would be a good idea.  I was laying this on my MAC but now I am thinking it is Verizonk.  

[saltydog_1984]

I have great news...either they fixed it or what I tried worked.

I was reading some posts over at another site about DHCP and getting an IP that someone else has abused and has been now banned from sites.

I got to looking and since mid Feb I have had a 108.x.x.x address I know for sure of two different ones that started in the last 3 days that did not work as when I released the actiontec and brought my netgear online it was given a new IP in that block.

So last night I released my IP and powered down my router and went to bed, this morning I brought it up and was given an ip starting wit 71.x.x.x and now EVERYTHING works. (could be because it is 05:53 in the morning...will test tonight)

If they have not fixed the issue and this REALLY has something to do with it I will be shocked..and informed for next time.

Can you all check your ips and or status of working or not working?

[djotaku]

I tried to do that, but could not figure out how to get my router to give up the IP address.  I unplugged it for 30 minutes and it still did not get a new one.  But if that is really the issue - Verizon really needs to figure out a solution quick.  It is dumb for me to get punished for someone else being a jerk with the IP I was given.

[dslr595148]

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@djotaku wrote:

I tried to do that, but could not figure out how to get my router to give up the IP address.  I unplugged it for 30 minutes and it still did not get a new one.

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It will self heal.  BUT you should be able to temporarily access it with a proxy. Go to https://www.megaproxy.com/freesurf/
and u can access it until you get a new ip address.

The best thing for you to do in my opinion is physically power off your router when you got to bed tonight. In the morning when you turn it on you will like get a new ip address and be able to access like normal.

If you can access the site through a proxy (like https://www.megaproxy.com/freesurf/), then that means that fios is providing you a clear path from point a to b.

So what's blocking you? Most of the time its the site itself blocking or banning the ip address you have. Not to any fault of your own probably. The ip addresses are shared between residential users, so whoever had your ip before you may have reeked havoc on their boards.

Its also possible that its something as simple as an out of date Bogon filter and a new ip would solve that too.

Remember they have a two to four hour lease time with their ip's.   so without calling them and asking that they release the ip address, you HAVE to leave the modem powered off for at least that amount of time.  anything less is too short and most likely will not work

[djotaku]

I'll give this a shot when I get home. 

I know enough about how the interrnet works (I'm a CISSP and it's my job, after all) but this is why we should have static IP addresses.  The three or four of us on this forum post shouldn't have to suffer because of the actions of others. 

ALTHOUGH  There is one thing that makes me wary about this IP address thing being the solution.  If our IPs have been blocked, then why does it work with Windows computers?  That doesn't make sense, does it?  Why does it work with my PS3 and not my BluRay Player or Roku Box?  From the outside these all appear to come from the same IP address.

[meddle]

I am also in MD with exactly the same problem and it started on the same day.

Windows computers are slow on secure web sites, but the do work.

My linux PCs and my Samsung Blu-ray player are flat out unable to connect.

[djotaku]

Alright, so it continues to grow.  Good thing we have a forum post to congregate around so that we can share the solution or help bring it to verizon's attention