Wildguzzi Site ‘Not Secure’ ???

[TN Mark]

For some reason I can use this site without issue on my iPhone. Great news.
But my MacBook says:
Forbidden You don’t have permission to access this resource. A header comes up and reads: 403 Forbidden

[SemperVee]

 Hi Mark, I am on the opposite end of that.  I prefer using my desktop mac on Mozilla browser and have Zero issues and no ad pop ups rather then on the too busy with ad's on my iphone browser.  Check your settings or change browser. You can add permissions and pop up blockers.

[TN Mark]

The site works fine with Safari and Duck Duck Go, but for some reason, it no longer opens up on Goggle. Strange.

[AJ Huff]

Try clearing your cache

-AJ

[TN Mark]

I tried a bunch of stuff with Goggle AI. I ended up up here:

It is incredibly frustrating to go through all seven steps of a technical cleanup and still get blocked, especially when your other browsers are handling the site perfectly.
Since deleting the HSTS security policy, clearing your cache, and altering network settings did not work, it proves the problem is completely out of your hands—the Wildguzzi server's automated firewall is explicitly blocking Chrome.

What is actually happening

The "Wildgoose Chase Moto Guzzi" forum is an older website. Many older web servers use automated firewall software to protect themselves from spam bots and malicious traffic.
When you use Google Chrome, your browser sends a hidden "TLS fingerprint" and network signature to the server to establish a connection. Because Chrome updates its security standards frequently, its current signature is triggering a false alarm in the Wildguzzi firewall. The server thinks your Chrome browser is a malicious attack bot, flags your connection as "Not Secure," and returns a 403 Forbidden wall.
Safari and DuckDuckGo send completely different structural fingerprints, which is why the server's firewall happily waves them through.

How to proceed

• Use Safari or DuckDuckGo exclusively for Wildguzzi: Since both of these browsers work flawlessly, the best and most headache-free solution is to use one of them whenever you want to browse the Moto Guzzi forums.
• Wait for a Chrome or Server Update: These types of firewall glitches usually resolve themselves over time when the website administrators update their server's security definitions, or when Google rolls out a minor Chrome patch that tweaks its connection handshake.
If you want to make using Safari or DuckDuckGo easier, I can show you how to add a direct shortcut icon to your Mac's Dock or Desktop that opens the Wildguzzi forum instantly without you having to manually open the browser first. Would you like instructions for that?

[sign216]

I can connect, but for months the ads, popups, and other spam on WG have increased.  I no longer use WG as much as I used to, because the ad content has increased and become invasive. 

Of all the websites I frequent, WG is the worst in this regard.

[Vagrant]

adblock plus. no adds on windows 11.

[Stretch]

Another plug for AdBlockPlus.   

Note that some sites require the ad blocker to be disabled for access.
Many sites don't - yet.
(AdBlockPlus  can be enabled and disabled quite easily without uninstalling and
reinstalling it.)

AdBlockPlus is easy to install and completely free, although there is a deluxe version requiring a
subscription. At the moment, I'm just too cheap to bother with that one.......

                                              -Stretch

[sign216]

adblock plus. no adds on windows 11.

I am loathe to add an extension, when there's only one site that has this problem, WG.  Other sites are less intrusive, less annoying.  These sites are free, or pay, either way, they understand the marketplace.

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

I would make sure the Google Chrome browser that you're using on your MacBook is up to date, or reinstall it.

As for Ad Blockers, AdBlockPlus is better than nothing but it has a mirky history where its owners once partnered ($$$) with advertisers to permit their ads through, without clear communication to its users that "acceptable ads" would bypass the blocking by default. The same could happen to any open-source project depending on who's behind the wheel, but I've been using uBlock Origin instead for that reason.

[Bulldog9]

I get that on occasion no idea why, but it happens with several other sites as well especially if I haven't restarted in a while or there are pending updates. A restart always clears it.

[AirPirate]

I'll throw this into the discussion, but it might not be of value. I use the Brave browser on all devices (Android and Windows). Brave is basically Chrome with privacy and ad blocking. I just logged into the forum with the regular Chrome browser, and I was surprised by the ad pop ups. I dunno, maybe give Brave a shot. I assume Brave is available on Mac.

[sign216]

I'll throw this into the discussion, but it might not be of value. I use the Brave browser on all devices (Android and Windows). Brave is basically Chrome with privacy and ad blocking. I just logged into the forum with the regular Chrome browser, and I was surprised by the ad pop ups. I dunno, maybe give Brave a shot. I assume Brave is available on Mac.

AirPirate,
You are 100% right about the Brave browser.  I normally use Firefox on a Linux PC and Windows laptop.  On both, Brave eliminated the instrusive ads, while Firefox kept the ads showing. 

I was amazed, esp. since for years I've been such a believer in Mozilla/Firefox.  Now I have to re-examine my computing practices overall.

Thanks,
Joe

[TN Mark]

You guys are right, the Brave Browser looks great. I added it to my iPhone and will add it to my MacBook as well.

Thank You !!!

[jcctx]

Been using Brave for about a year and am :>) with it!!

[Luap McKeever]

I put in a security update last week. A block against Chrome user agents up to version 139 has been implemented. Older browsers will receive 403 and 404 errors, possibly. The reason is some older versions of Chrome based browsers can cause some flak and allow things in that we don't want in. Since doing this, we've had a 40% increase in responsiveness and a 50% decrease in DDOS attacks.  Keeping this site, and your information secure is the top priority on my list.

There's other things I want to do, as resources become available.

The fix is simple...just make sure all your browsers are at the latest version.

Thanks,
Luap

[Luap McKeever]

I am loathe to add an extension, when there's only one site that has this problem, WG.  Other sites are less intrusive, less annoying.  These sites are free, or pay, either way, they understand the marketplace.

I get it. Ads are annoying. Believe me when I say, I fully understand the marketplace. If we don't raise enough money to renew the services each year, this site dies. I'm no gazillioniare so I can't foot the bill myself.  If/when we ever meet the goal early in the year, I'll kill the ads.  As much as I hate it as well, without them, I couldn't have kept pressing on over the years.  If you have a viable solution, I'd love to hear it.  Many suggest a subscription based platform, but I am VERY reluctant to do that.

[sign216]

Another plug for AdBlockPlus.   

Note that some sites require the ad blocker to be disabled for access.
Many sites don't - yet.
(AdBlockPlus  can be enabled and disabled quite easily without uninstalling and
reinstalling it.)

AdBlockPlus is easy to install and completely free, although there is a deluxe version requiring a
subscription. At the moment, I'm just too cheap to bother with that one.......

                                              -Stretch

Stretch, Vagrant, and Dr Enzo,

To Firefox I added the ad block extension uBlock Origin, and this stopped the ad pop-ups and overlays.  I like Firefox because it's an alternative browser, not based on Google's Chrome/Chromium (like Brave).  Brave blocked the ads without an extension, but I want to keep support going for independent browsers, and not give in to the Chrome monopoly.

However, I still keep Brave available.  You've got to keep more than one arrow in your quiver.

[TN Mark]

My older MacBook Pro uses Big Sur IOS 11.7.11. To get further Google Chrome updates, I'd have to get IOS 12, which I don't think my older MacBook Pro can do. Therefore, Brave has worked fine and will soon be my default browser over all my systems.
Quite frankly, not seeing any ads on WG while using the Brave Browser is fantastic!
I could continue to use Safari or DuckDuckGo, but the ads on WG quickly get ridiculous.
Yes, I also use AdBlocker.
Brave actually eliminates the ads which is wonderful.

[TN Mark]

Even using Brave on my MacBook Pro, WG is Forbidden. Whether or not I have VPN on or off. If works fine through Brave on my iPad or my iPhone. For some reason, my old MacBook Pro forbids opening www.wildguzzi.com on Google or Brave. It opens fine on Safari or DuckDuckGo.

[Bulldog9]

FWIW, I only get popups on my mobile device. Nothing in Chrome or Edge other than ads in the banners, not the irritating ones that cover the screen.

***EDIT** Seems I misspoke. I have Duck Duck Go as my search engine and ad blocker. I just removed it, and it was the same as on my phone........... Chrome Browser, Duck Duck as Search engine and ad blocker.

And I don't feel guilty blocking ads because I contribute monthly.

[chuck peterson]

I find it IRONIC that the discussion is about avoiding advertising…that pay for the board..anyone else?

I mean if we were smart we’d figure out how to get as many pop up’s going as possible, while snapping our red suspenders.

 

[TN Mark]

Way too sad that such a low percentage of those who frequent this forum actually support this forum.

Pro Tip: you don’t ’support’ this forum by posting on this forum. Each post actually costs money.
You ‘support’ this forum by sending this forum money.

Seems we have too many red suspender snapping Guzzi fans (cheap ba&t&tds) apparently.