Certain Websites Suddenly Inaccessible

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How do you do. Problem: certain sites suddenly cannot be accessed in (almost) all browsers. (I don't use VPN.) The message is familiar:

Edited by Upbloat, 25 August 2023 - 12:15 PM.

Hi, Upbloat:

Windows 7 reached end of mainstream support in 2015 and end of extended support in January 2020.

There have been no security patches since then.

Many websites will not allow access to outdated, insecure systems running outdated versions of Windows and/or outdated browsers (you don't mention which versions of which browsers you are using).

I expect this at least partially explains the behavior you are experiencing.

I suspect it will only get worse with time.

Perhaps someone else will have a better, more favorable suggestion.

PS Even with some sort of "antivirus" program that still supports Win7 (there are not many), going online with such an inherently and irreparably insecure OS is an invitation for disaster.  I hope you make regular backups of your system and data, to help recover from malware, ransomware, identity theft or data loss.

PPS AFAIK The free upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 is still available.  Although support for Win10 will end in October 2025, upgrading now will at least give you a supported, secure version of Windows for about 2 years. It would be much better than going online with Windows 7.

Worth A Look, IMO.

Louis

Worth A Look, IMO.

 

Louis

Good find!

One reason for COMODO's 'Dragon' browser being able to 'side-step' these restrictions that Avast seems to be placing on certain sites could be because COMODO run their own custom DNS servers......and Dragon browser is built to automatically connect to these instead of your ISP's ones.

It's just a thought. I haven't used Windows for around a decade, and last experimented with Dragon about 12-13 years ago, but I don't believe that much has changed.....

Mike.

Edited by Mike_Walsh, 25 August 2023 - 03:33 PM.

WOW!

I didn't expect useful responses so soon, nor suggestions that worked..! (You know, this site is such a bleepin' wonderful site.)

MoxieMomma ("BC Advisor"), you are the king. I don't know if you will be returning to read, but for the benefit of others who may be interested:

"Many websites will not allow access to outdated, insecure systems running outdated versions of Windows and/or outdated browsers (you don't mention which versions of which browsers you are using)."

I've never had an issue with any website that has restricted functionality (or, I presume, access) because of my creaking old Win 7 system. As you correctly surmised, indeed some browsers are not updated. Whenever something is updated, more often than not a price is paid when the new version puts the kibosh on a formerly terrific part of the program. I realize there is risk involved with not updating, but the agony of having to fix what happens after updates has been painfully repeated too often. 

"I suspect it will only get worse with time."

Well, thanks for that depressing supposition, but you are only too correct.

"I hope you make regular backups of your system and data, to help recover from malware, ransomware, identity theft or data loss."

I promised myself to make monthly backups, but the last backup was performed so many months ago. (Hey, is it my fault that time passes so swiftly?) I very much appreciated this beneficial kick in the pants.

"The free upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 is still available.  Although support for Win10 will end in October 2025."

Since 2025 will be here before we know it, as well as who knows what headaches an upgrade may bring (existing programs possibly not working anymore), I suppose the best solution will be to get a new system. I keep hearing about how the newer versions of Windows present their own problems, but the decision to be more up-to-date is inevitable.

MoxieMomma, thank you so much for your very valuable input. I really appreciated it.

Now for my second...

WOW!

Louis (Hamlius) I remember you from the rare times I've stopped by, and am aware of what a good man you are. Yet your offering was simply amazing. It was exactly what I needed. I cannot express my gratitude enough... thank you so much. 

Far as your question, Cryptodan, the loss of the one website that spurred me to reach out for help allows access to older TV shows and films that comes in handy when I perform research.

And, oh, hello, Mike_Walsh! (Your comment came in as I was wrapping up.) Thank you so much for shedding light on that business about Comodo not bowing to the restrictions set by Avast. I was curious about why that would be so, and it was very good of you to shed light. From your signature, I gather the reason why you have quit Windows is because of Linux, and one may only envy your technical expertise and confidence to break free of the dominating grip of Microsoft.

.

Edited by Upbloat, 25 August 2023 - 03:51 PM.

@ Upbloat :-

Heh. Yes, for you, MoxieMomma's advice is certainly very pertinent. Since the vast majority of the world is geared-up for Windows, most software devs are hand-in-glove with Microsoft in terms of trying to keep things up-to-date and secure. Given what a target the platform is for all the scummy crap that sleazes around t'internet 24/7, you can't really blame them.

But you might be surprised to hear that I'm currently posting this from a featherweight Linux distro called 'Puppy' Linux....and this particular version was released all the way back in 2014! However, this is not 'standard' for Linux distros, most of which are just as fussy as M$ about keeping up-to-date. Puppy is rather unique, being constructed in a modular fashion that permits updating even elderly releases to modern standards.....including secure, up-to-date browsers. And I just prefer older versions; they have a ton more 'character' than new builds, and are a lot more fun to use, too.

I just happened to remember that tid-bit of information upon seeing your post, given that Comodo was my AV of choice back when I DID run the Redmond montrosity. I thought it was still relevant......and it turns out it still is. In short, a DNS server is like the "address-book" of the internet. It translates the human-friendly URLs we use in browsers, into the numeric codes that all servers work with, and it's this that enables the constant interaction that keeps the web humming along, day in, day out. Without them, the web wouldn't be able to work the way it does.

(When I cut loose from M$ at EOL for XP, I'd been with it for its entire 13 year lifespan.....and was utterly fed-up with it. I Googled "Free operating systems", and was amazed by what came up. There are literally thousands of options out there, if you've got the confidence to take that initial step...)

Mike.

Edited by Mike_Walsh, 25 August 2023 - 05:37 PM.

Many thanks for putting up your very informative post, Mike_Walsh (or Mike). You have my respect for putting mind over matter and giving the finger to powerful forces that crush all on their path (and such forces hardly begin and end with Microsoft, given how power has come to be concentrated in the hands of a few, even in countries that profess to be "free"). Rebels as yourself are needed to at least serve as pebbles against the tidal waves. For the rest of us slugs, it's not just a matter of confidence, although that quality plays a huge role (few of us are masters of technical know-how, and would be willing to overcome this deficiency). It's also a matter of will, it's a matter of being aware some fine programs may not be compatible with other operating systems, and it's very much also a matter of time. The learning curve that comes with tackling a foreign element such as Linux (in the sense that it is outside the main, controlled primarily by Microsoft and Apple) is considerable (let alone the "literally thousands of options out there" that you  mentioned), which is why the powers keep getting away with their dominance. (Oh, woe! So much injustice in this cruel world, enabled even further by the countless sheep.)

A thank you as well for taking the trouble and time to moderate a valuable forum as this.

Edited by Upbloat, 26 August 2023 - 01:51 PM.

Linux Mint Cinnamon is most like Windows so easy transition.  See Videos : https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&sca_esv=560402742&q=mint+cinnamon&tbm=vid&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiZvaXQ3_uAAxW3IzQIHTqzAzYQ0pQJegQIDBAB&biw=1920&bih=872&dpr=1

It comes with software as well there are tons available : https://alternativeto.net/platform/linux/   

This might be your internet connection's IP issue. Try to access those websites by using a different internet connection and by using VPN.