VPN interference?

BenPanced

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Ain't gonna lie or dance around the issue with euphemisms.

For my current work from home situation, I connect to the net via a VPN provided by The Day Job™. I'm trying to understand VPN and if it might be interfering with trying to load adult/porn sites or if it's the current configuration of my MacBook, in general.

Pertinent information:
  • MacBook is currently running Catalina 10.15.6 with Firefox 80.0. I've also tried Safari 13.1.2 and have the same issue.
  • Yes, I've cleared the cache and cookies for the sites.
  • Yes, I've turned it off and turned it back on again.
  • It's a recent issue, popping up within the last two weeks or so.
  • Adult pages will open with "no image available" in image boxes or broken image file icons. Sometimes, they won't even do that much and only load a string of text on the left side of the browser window.
  • I've tried looking this up in various sources online and none of the solutions have helped. Firefox apparently has built-in blocking features that are automatically enabled but allows users to disable them. Once you know what to look for.
  • I use a separate HP Windows laptop for The Day Job™ and power it down faithfully every day after use.
  • Could the VPN I use with the Windows laptop be blocking the adult sites I visit? I know it sounds like a silly question since the laptop is powered down and not in use and it's a wireless connection all around and we get a WARNING BILL ROBINSON DANGER! warning screen whenever we try to access/accidentally access forbidden content, but...?
Any suggestions/discussion to help me understand this better or clear it up?
 
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AW Admin

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The VPN shouldn't be making any difference if it's on a different laptop, especially if said laptop is powered down.

Are you using any ad blocking software?

Do you know if your ISP throttles bandwidth? If so, it's getting near the end of the month and so a throttle might have kicked in.

How do sites like YouTube work, or a subscription based site like NetFlix?

Have you tried powering down your router, waiting 90 seconds, and turning it back on? Routers have an error buffer; it can get full and cause weirdness.
 
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ChaseJxyz

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I have to use a VPN to connect to the network drives for my Day Job as well, and it's the program Cisco AnyConnect that does the VPN-ing. I use it on my personal desktop, too, because it's easier to work on than my work-issued laptop, but when I'm not conencted to the VPN (i.e. Cisco AnyConnect isn't running), it's not interfering in any way with the stuff I'm doing. If you go on Task Manger (or Acitivity Monitor for Mac) you can see whether or not the software for the VPN (Cisco or whatever) is running.. Depending on how controlling your employer is, there might be hidden stuff running even when you haven't started the VPN program (like how we have Sophos for policy management).

However, that is only relevant for your WORK LAPTOP. If you've never connected your personal computer (your Mac) to your work network, then there's no reason for your work to be affecting what it's doing.

Questions that might help us figure out what's going on:

-Do you have a smart phone or tablet? Or even something like a 3DS or PSP? Can they access the sites?

-Go to Fast.com and do the speedtest there. What are your results? Is it what it should be (based on what you're paying for)?

-What country do you live in?

-Who provides your Internet service? Is it a big telecomm company like Comcast or is it something like a college?

-Are these mainstream porn sites (like pornhub) or are they more specialized/niche sites? A big site like pornhub has dedicated folx to fix issues that that affect site performance but a tiny place probably doesn't so it could be awhile until things can get fixed
 

BenPanced

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The two "big" sites I visit, Pornhub and XTube, both have issues with pages loading correctly and I've set up Ad Blocker Plus to disable automatically for them, although I still don't see ads on either one and get the "you're running an ad blocker" message banner at the top. Should I look at completely removing ABP? Other smaller, similar sites load with no problems.

And YouTube and Netflix stream along at their usual paces. We haven't had any problems with videos from either loading correctly or slower buffer reaction.
 

Estimataron

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I know it might be a little late, but as for the Ad Blocker Plus (ABP), it's worth trying to disable it and see if that resolves the issue. ABP may be causing some conflicts with the adult sites you're trying to visit.
 

Maryn

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It's never too late for those who lurk to figure out why they can no longer get at their adult sites! Most of us realize that when we're having a particular computer-related issue, it's not just us, and this is a good place to ask. Writers are often good explainers.

I appreciate your noticing the thread was old and determining it was worth adding information. I imagine quite a few people must have similar problems but not want to go public about the fact that they want to look at porn.

So thanks for that. How about hopping over to the New Members board and introducing yourself? We'd all like to meet you.

Maryn, seriously sleep-deprived