OpenDNS: Fab's AutoBackup website blocked

[fabs]

Fab's AutoBackup website is unreachable for OpenDNS / Cisco Umbrella users now. It is running on a shared hosting server and several sites on it have malware. The problem is that OpenDNS blocks the entire host, so, even if the website is cean, it is impossible to connect it at all. Icing on the cake (irony inside!): my hosting provider does not respond to my support tickets about that. Then I have no choice: I will move my entire stuff to a VPS server. If you need to connect the website anyway, I suggest you use a machine with other DNS servers set up : I swear my website is OK since there is no weird stuff on it. Also it is backed up to my local machine and scanned with Emsisoft daily. I just wanted you to know that I am working on this issue.

 

[Bryce W]

Dont you love that stuff? Sucks when its out of your control beyond changing host.

All good, we know you're cool.

 

[glennd]

Dont you love that stuff? Sucks when its out of your control beyond changing host.

All good, we know you're cool.

I'd be changing hosts. I had a similar situation myself a while ago where the host kept telling me it's my problem so I took my problem elsewhere and no more problem! O-)

 

[AlexCa]

That's a pain... Don't know if that's the case, but just a heads-up because I had similar problems with it: if eventually you're hosting the Nirsoft tools - I know they are used in Fabs, but I don't know if they are integrated or downloaded - it's worth to consider stop doing it, because they are commonly detected as malware. In my case, I had my website suspended by the hosting provider until I removed them, because they were getting detections at them.

 

[NJW]

Icing on the cake (irony inside!): my hosting provider does not respond to my support tickets about that.

I've always found OVH to be very responsive to interconnection problems. Subscribe to the mailing list (you should do anyway if you're administering site(s) on their hosting) and post your problems. The techs on the ML are good.

 

[fabs]

That's a pain... Don't know if that's the case, but just a heads-up because I had similar problems with it: if eventually you're hosting the Nirsoft tools - I know they are used in Fabs, but I don't know if they are integrated or downloaded - it's worth to consider stop doing it, because they are commonly detected as malware. In my case, I had my website suspended by the hosting provider until I removed them, because they were getting detections at them.

Yes I host the Nirsoft tools but I have thought about that: the only way to access the files is to use a special user agent that usual browsers do not have. It is set in the htaccess. This way, only Fab’s AutoBackup executables can reach this site part. I am confident with that.

 

[fabs]

I'd be changing hosts. I had a similar situation myself a while ago where the host kept telling me it's my problem so I took my problem elsewhere and no more problem! O-)

I will have to do something similar except this will still be the same provider since their VPS servers look powerful enough regarding to their prices. After that, if my website gets blocked again, it will be only my fault.
This is quite unpleasant because there were stuff like automatic Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates that I did not have to take care of, same thing for Apache and php security patches. This will cost a bit more and bring additional work. What a pain...

 

[fabs]

I've always found OVH to be very responsive to interconnection problems. Subscribe to the mailing list (you should do anyway if you're administering site(s) on their hosting) and post your problems. The techs on the ML are good.

That is good to know. They are very good as hosting provider and registrar. I did not have to use their support until this issue and so far, it looks like no one reads the shared hosting support tickets. Maybe if I pay for at least a VPS, I would have someone on the other side...

 

[Bryce W]

I did not have to use their support until this issue and so far, it looks like no one reads the shared hosting support tickets. Maybe if I pay for at least a VPS, I would have someone on the other side...

Id get off them completely if they weren't answering tickets at any level. Also, while VPS's are more work, I get someone else to manage patching and the like for £15 per month. Its just not worth my time doing it myself. Not just taking the time to DO it, but spending the time to learn how to as well.

 

[glennd]

I'm with Bryce. They proved how bad they are at support. Why would you want to reward that by giving them more money? And there's no guarantee they'll be any better if you do. Plus it's not like the world is short of web site hosts.

 

[NJW]

The root of the problem is not the hosting but OpenDNS. They are not the quality DNS provider that they used to be and I have had many problems with blocked IP ranges and out of date returns in the last couple of years.

I migrated a client site (to OVH, as it happens) earlier this year and it took six days for the IP address change to propagate to OpenDNS. Meanwhile, Google's DNS showed the new address in under 24 hours.

@fabs : do you still see the problem? OpenDNS is resolving your domain name for me.

 

[fabs]

The root of the problem is not the hosting but OpenDNS. They are not the quality DNS provider that they used to be and I have had many problems with blocked IP ranges and out of date returns in the last couple of years.

I migrated a client site (to OVH, as it happens) earlier this year and it took six days for the IP address change to propagate to OpenDNS. Meanwhile, Google's DNS showed the new address in under 24 hours.

@fabs : do you still see the problem? OpenDNS is resolving your domain name for me.

I know this is an issue from OpenDNS, blocking the entire web server instead of the faulty URLs. The fact that OVH is not replying to support tickets is what I have against them. Their support sucks. Beside it, they provide great quality of service. Here is my dilemma.

 

[NJW]

Their support sucks.

Hey, this is France! As an immigrant, I couldn't believe the level of the Service client, for any company!

I agree that their response to tickets is not very timely – a glance through the old forum or the current community site is full of examples – but the mailing list is the place to get quick resolution. You might also like to report your experience by email to Octave Klaba, who will probably reply personally.

To be fair, for a DNS service failure by a third-party, what can be done? If OVH had made contact with OpenDNS as soon as you reported your problem, it's unlikely that it would have been resolved any quicker. There are more than 80 000 domains on your IP address (according to reverse IP).

As you say, you haven't had to use support before, which also says something about the high quality of service, but I understand your dilemma. I'm staying with them.

 

[fabs]

To be fair, for a DNS service failure by a third-party, what can be done? If OVH had made contact with OpenDNS as soon as you reported your problem, it's unlikely that it would have been resolved any quicker. There are more than 80 000 domains on your IP address (according to reverse IP).

Of course, that is not easy for them to fix a third party problem. I asked for them if it was possible to make my website use another IP address. Since I just use 2GB, that should not be a pain to move my stuff onto another cluster! That would have fixed the current problem, at least for some time. They have not even responded in 3 days. I am not asking them to fix this immediately, just a reply saying that they are looking at the issue and I would not have felt alone with me myself and I. That is it.

 

[fabs]

Hey,
it looks like the website is reachable again. I do not know if OpenDNS could do something (I had an email contact with someone working for them) and he opened a ticket.
Are there any OpenDNS / Cisco Umbrella users here to test?

 

[Larry Sabo]

I use OPENDNS and have no problem reaching your site or downloading the lastest update from within the program, @fabs

 

[fabs]

I use OPENDNS and have no problem reaching your site or downloading the lastest update from within the program, @fabs

Great @Larry Sabo
Thanks for the feedback

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

I will move my entire stuff to a VPS server.

I use knownhost for my VPS, I will likely always use them for my VPS as they have been the best hosting provider I have ever done business with.