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Tell HN: Reddit now blocks VPN access via browser, 'old' subdomain included

news.ycombinator.com

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Tell HN: Reddit now blocks VPN access via browser, 'old' subdomain included

#1

Post by thih9 »

I'm unable to access reddit via browser when using VPN. I see an error message both on regular 'reddit.com', as well as 'old.reddit.com' subdomain.

This is new develompent. They started blocking VPN access on their regular website three months ago[1], but back then 'old' subdomain still worked; today it no longer does.

I'm testing with desktop Safari and NordVPN from EU; curious if others are seeing similar results.

[1]: I posted about it here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38666028

Re: Tell HN: Reddit now blocks VPN access via browser, 'old' subdomain included

#2

Post by keepamovin »

This is IP based blocking. You can get around it by creating a Reddit account, or logging in. I Just did that on my remote browser app, the demo of which is here:

https://puter.com/app/cloudtabs-browserbox

If you read past the "Woah, there pardner." You'll see a paragraph that says, Try logging in or creating an account here to get back to browsing.

This works. You can use reddit if you just create an account or sign in.

I guess this is IP-based blocking to counter bots.

edit: Oh boy, these tiny servers are not meant for this kind of hug. They may suffer!

Re: Tell HN: Reddit now blocks VPN access via browser, 'old' subdomain included

#3

Post by thih9 »

keepamovin wrote: post #2

This is IP based blocking. You can get around it by creating a Reddit account, or logging in. I Just did that on my remote browser app, the demo of which is here: https://puter.com/app/cloudtabs-browserbox If you read past the "Woah, there pardner." You'll see a paragraph that says, Try logging in or creating an account here to get back to browsing. This works. You can use reddit if you just create an account or sign…

Edit: parent commenter seems to be promoting their product. Looks like a random remote browser, perhaps avoid entering important credentials there.

Didn't work for me. I tried creating an account[1] moments ago; after filling out the form and submitting, I got back: "an error occurred (status: 403)".

[1]: https://old.reddit.com/login/

Re: Tell HN: Reddit now blocks VPN access via browser, 'old' subdomain included

#5

Post by TomSwirly »

keepamovin wrote: post #2

This is IP based blocking. You can get around it by creating a Reddit account, or logging in. I Just did that on my remote browser app, the demo of which is here: https://puter.com/app/cloudtabs-browserbox If you read past the "Woah, there pardner." You'll see a paragraph that says, Try logging in or creating an account here to get back to browsing. This works. You can use reddit if you just create an account or sign…

> "Woah, there pardner."

Cutesie error messages aren't funny even the first time, and by the tenth time they are wildly annoying.

> if you just create an account

"Just"

Re: Tell HN: Reddit now blocks VPN access via browser, 'old' subdomain included

#7

Post by keepamovin »

thih9 wrote: post #3
keepamovin wrote: post #2

This is IP based blocking. You can get around it by creating a Reddit account, or logging in. I Just did that on my remote browser app, the demo of which is here: https://puter.com/app/cloudtabs-browserbox If you read past the "Woah, there pardner." You'll see a paragraph that says, Try logging in or creating an account here to get back to browsing. This works. You can use reddit if you just create an account or sign…

Edit: parent commenter seems to be promoting their product. Looks like a random remote browser, perhaps avoid entering important credentials there. Didn't work for me. I tried creating an account[1] moments ago; after filling out the form and submitting, I got back: "an error occurred (status: 403)". [1]: https://old.reddit.com/login/

OK, I don't know. Did you try just visiting some random reddit website from the remote browser I provided?

edit: I just tried again on a fresh CloudTabs browser and I could successfully create an account and sign in to reddit. So this does work!

What did you try? I think it might matter how you arrive at reddit. Try going through the address bar search to a sub you like, rather than pasting in a direct "login to reddit" URL. Idk for sure, but that might be more sus to their systems haha! :)

You need to click through a Captcha (at least I did ~ first time I got 1 "bicycle", this time I got 1 "motorbikes" and 1 "stairs").

Perhaps they adapt their IP blocking, this demo only uses 4 IPs globally. Maybe if we push too many users through there, they'll block anyway?? Idk.

Anyway, I just tested after your comment and it worked so we'll need to discover what happened for you.

Re: Tell HN: Reddit now blocks VPN access via browser, 'old' subdomain included

#8

Post by lurn_mor »

voisin wrote: post #6
rrr_oh_man wrote: post #4

That’s great. Worked similarly for the twitter addiction.

I’ve heard of Growth Hacks, but it really does seem like Steve Huffman could right a book on Decline Hacks. He may be the GOAT.

You're write.

Re: Tell HN: Reddit now blocks VPN access via browser, 'old' subdomain included

#9

Post by CommieBobDole »

I use Mullvad and have been encountering this error occasionally for at least the past few weeks. Usually disconnecting and reconnecting to get a new IP makes it go away.

I assumed it was just automated blocking based on suspicious activity from a particular IP; though I guess it also could also be an attempt to ban all known VPN provider ranges and they just don't have all of the ranges for Mullvad.

Re: Tell HN: Reddit now blocks VPN access via browser, 'old' subdomain included

#10

Post by rrr_oh_man »

voisin wrote: post #6
rrr_oh_man wrote: post #4

That’s great. Worked similarly for the twitter addiction.

I’ve heard of Growth Hacks, but it really does seem like Steve Huffman could right a book on Decline Hacks. He may be the GOAT.

I’m huffin' and I’m puffin' and I’m gonna burn my house down
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