topic Re: Content Screening problems in Archive

Content Screening problems

bombinho — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 21:43:50 GMT

Hi,

I tried to find others having similar problems with the BT Business Hub but by now it seems I am the only one with following problem. I can not access web pages that I have not manually allowed in the Content Screening.

I do get a window instead of the desired page telling me:

"Access to this Web site has been blocked. The Content Screening rating server cannot be reached to validate the appropriateness of this Web site."

The log itself states:

csd: bad server: 0.0.0.0:0

csd: failed to send rating request to server: generic failure (nothing else makes sense)

csd: failed to resolve host '': Unknown resolver error

Of course I can disable the content screening temporarily but I would avoid that if possible.

Any ideas? Someone else got this problem too?

Is that possibly another faulty firmware pressed on?

Re: Content Screening problems

MHC — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 21:55:28 GMT

Are you sure it is the BT Hub Content Screening? Have you downloaded/enabled, maybe by mistake, a third party or AV version?

Try turning CS off - there is no harm in doing so if any children who use the connection are no online. Or just turn it off for the one PC.

Re: Content Screening problems

bombinho — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 22:34:13 GMT

Well the screen I am getting is definitely the Business Hubs Screen. And I do not use any other content filters.

Now these content filters are incredibly handy not only for children. An incredible lot of unwanted advertisements

and popups are getting blocked before they even get into the network and ensure a much better workflow rather

having to click away dozens of popups and what not everytime you open a web page.

As much as it filters by nature a lot of driveby's as well.

So I really would not want to switch it of permanently.

Just since today it blocks pretty much everything I have not manually allowed in the specific group.

Including Google and Oracle.

When you look at the log excerpts it explains pretty well what happened but not why and how to resolve it.

Surely the servers name would not be zero string and the IP resulting got to be 0.0.0.0 .

So how could the server name get lost? And how could I restore it?

Re: Content Screening problems

whiller123 — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 08:16:32 GMT

I am having exactly the same problem as of 01/08/2012.

I have spoken th BT suupport who tell me that they no longer support content screening! they also say that the firmware on the HGV 2700-2701 should upgrade and remove the content screening options. (backward step I feel).

This said I have the business hub running on a few client sites and & the content screening is working on all but one of these hubs.

I am not quite sure what is going on as I would think if BT has stopped offering this feature it would stop working on all of these business hubs

Regards

Rob

Re: Content Screening problems

garyhancock — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 08:33:40 GMT

I have a 2Wire 2701HGV-C and have exact same issue as of 1st of August 2012 (Yesterday )

Can anyone from BT clarify the situation.

Re: Content Screening problems

whiller123 — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 08:59:33 GMT

A quick update to my previous post!

All of the clients that I support that use this content screening on the business hub are now experiencing the same issue!

5 in total

4 x HGV 2701 1 X HGV2700

This is a big issue for me now despite remote access, it is going to be a busy day!

CAN BT THROW ANY MORE LIGHT ON THIS ISSUE PLEASE?

Re: Content Screening problems

KeithB — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 09:32:49 GMT

I'm also having the same problem. Cannot connect to the rating server. Tried a factory reset, but still have the same problem.

Model: BT2700HGV

Hardware Version: 2701-100589-005

Firmware Version 6.3.9.63-plus.tm

This firmware version that was "pushed" out to us last Christmas, did NOT remove content screening for me, at least, although it did remove the Fusion SSID.

If BT are discontinuing support for content screening on this hub, shouldn't they replace the hub?

Keith.

Re: Content Screening problems

whiller123 — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 09:58:33 GMT

I have some worse news for you Keith

The latest so called business hub (which looks suspiciously like the new home hub) does not have the content screening feature, the only access control in that one is on a time schedule basis.

I have set up several of them in businesses & homes.

It is a poorly made cheap affair!

Rob

Re: Content Screening problems

DaveA — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 15:00:04 GMT

Hi,

You would probably be better with some form of add-on for your browser that blocks scripts, for example NoScript for Firefox:

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/noscript/&sa=U&ei=X5UaUI2COqbI0QXgwoHQDA&ved=0CBIQFjAA&usg=AFQjCNEeB1fBg0Dn9vZ8nKZnwTqwaX2CRQ

Dave

@bombinho wrote:

Well the screen I am getting is definitely the Business Hubs Screen. And I do not use any other content filters.

Now these content filters are incredibly handy not only for children. An incredible lot of unwanted advertisements

and popups are getting blocked before they even get into the network and ensure a much better workflow rather

having to click away dozens of popups and what not everytime you open a web page.

As much as it filters by nature a lot of driveby's as well.

So I really would not want to switch it of permanently.

Just since today it blocks pretty much everything I have not manually allowed in the specific group.

Including Google and Oracle.

Re: Content Screening problems

bombinho — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 07:29:03 GMT

DaveA could you please give me a description how I do that on various Blackberry devices?

Or other non PCs?

And what impact is that doing on netbooks with a single core Atom in wireless mode?

And why have I to start installing new browsers on all my devices?

Any thought spend on the general impact of this?

I am pretty sure we can make roads a lot better by just giving every driver a list where to behave in what manner. No unsightly road signs anymore. And an incredible amount of money saved by not needing to put up the signs and maintain them. /sarcasm

Re: Content Screening problems

bombinho — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 05:56:50 GMT

@Whiller123:

Well they then should have used the correct expression at BT. That is called a downgrade and not an upgrade.

@BT:

The content filter were the only way in the hub to block unwanted URLs. Removing that feature renders that

"BT Business Hub" then literally to an advanced modem. Is there any feature gonna be introduced to at least

allow URL filtering at all?

Hub affected:

Model:	BT2700HGV
Hardware Version:	2701-100589-005
Firmware Version:	6.3.9.63-plus.tm

Re: Content Screening problems

whiller123 — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 07:21:23 GMT

@bombinho

You are correct it is a downgrade the guy at BT business support agreed also.

He also said he was not really qualified to deal with my query & said he would have to transfer me to their “expert technical support department” Happy days!

After being placed on hold for five minutes while he explained my issue to them, they declined the opportunity to talk to me!

They merely told him what to tell me!

As I have already said he informed me that BT no longer support content screening he could not explain why, he also advised me to purchase a third party router in which I could manually block certain sites which is not a route I wish to go down (life is to short). He went on to explain about the firmware upgrade removing the content screening section. He also said they had told him that no one else had phoned them about this issue! Maybe we all need to get on the phone to them; I will be back on to them today.

One of my clients runs a pub and offers WI FI free to their customers, following some inappropriate usage by a customer and the subsequent investigation they asked me to control their network. I use the HGV2701 and its content screening & time of day access restrictions to control this, it worked seamlessly until August 1st

I have more than 150 devices on this network.

I guess the feature will be offered in the future but at a cost!

This affects the 2700 & 2701 hub & the feature is not even in the menu in the business hub 3

If you are just trying to control devices that you have access to a third party device or software can solve your problem, for me at the pub for instance this is an issue

Regards

Re: Content Screening problems

bombinho — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 07:45:01 GMT

@willer123:

I am pretty sure your pub customer will see the point paying the premium for a BT Business Line and then install a Watchguard appliance and pay their services in addition.

@all:

All the promises of BT business by now they skipped at will.

Be it the 24h service which is only available workdays 9.00-5.00. Be it the promise to reinstate the line instantly if there are problems. As one might see on older posts of me they left me for more than a month without phone and broadband.

Despite promising differently, even confirmed per email.

And the very few services they still were providing are now getting cut as well. Can someone explain how to justify paying for that?

Re: Content Screening problems

Goldstien — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 08:14:13 GMT

I have the same issue here - GRRRRR

Reasonably quick and free work araound - use Open DNS service - requires that you change the DNS servers on the router and the rest is done for you - no override button but it will filter content on all devices.

208.67.222.123
208.67.220.123

Re: Content Screening problems

whiller123 — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 08:31:00 GMT

@bombinho

How spooky!

I am off to the pub this morning with a retired Warchguard Firebox X50 with webblocker enabled!

Re: Content Screening problems

DaveA — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 13:55:43 GMT

@bombinho wrote:

DaveA could you please give me a description how I do that on various Blackberry devices?

Or other non PCs?

And what impact is that doing on netbooks with a single core Atom in wireless mode?

And why have I to start installing new browsers on all my devices?

Any thought spend on the general impact of this?

I am pretty sure we can make roads a lot better by just giving every driver a list where to behave in what manner. No unsightly road signs anymore. And an incredible amount of money saved by not needing to put up the signs and maintain them. /sarcasm

Hi,

To be honest I was just responding to the bit about browsers, as this is the main access method for most. However, if you're really serious about content control then you should set up a proper server rather than relying on a free (in most cases) router with basic content control.

I don't know why they keep adding and removing Content Control from the Hubs, but from the amount of griping that people do I think they should remove it entirely and be done with it. It's more hassle than it's worth, and there are plenty of systems that are probably far better at the job (in my opinion).

And for reference I know that the Helpdesk is taking note of this not working, but I don't know what the full story is, so call them and hopefully they should get it fixed.

Dave

Re: Content Screening problems

bombinho — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 20:49:33 GMT

Hi DaveA

First of all the way this services got cut is really off. Leaving everybody with this feature activated unable to browse is not the way it should be done. I would have expected a notice that the feature is getting deactivated.

And a good while later then deactivate the feature and not the web access.

This basic content control actually worked quite well if it is set up reasonably.

And arguing that anything would be free is a bit funny. It is BT _Business_ we

are talking about. And you only can have it when you have a business.

People running businesses usually have to be capable of doing the maths.

And telling them something is free what they are paying for is, hmmm?

For setting up a server: You tried that? Either you pay someone or you are gonna having a full time job adding and maintaining that. On normal use you can easily spent 2-8h a week in keeping step with the various content providers.

You need in addition to the server something like a sensor or honeypot as well. And one for the logs.

Hey. That brings us to the required backups. Necessarily on a separate machine. By now we have added three machines to the backup server and we are shifting backups from vulnerable machines on the protected backup server. Does not sound great?

Well indeed, better do a backup for the public machines separately. (Machine No. 4!)

With that setup we are really looking at an ix-router (Machine No. 5). So we should have a server cabinet. And, and, and.

By the way, we are not wireless yet.

What the customer is only running a pub? And does not see the point for all that machines and an admin visiting on a daily base? Small business? Using solutions that used to be tailored for small businesses?

Apologize if I question this but this seems to be going in the wrong direction here.

As I already mentioned, somehow there need to be a justification for the price of the BT Business.

And if it is not the services anymore what exactly is it then?

Broadband and telephone? Be honest, there are a few more providers out there.

The router? What does it provide that other routers do not? Ah, content screening *cough*.

If you do not have anything to offer what shall people buy of you then.

Please remember your old slogans which caught me initially, like "We understand businesses", "24h service" etc.

Truly have not heard them for a long time now.

But there is still on the first page: "Small to Large Business Telecommunication Provider".

And a bit further: Support when you need it.

Or: Great value Broadband and Telephone...

Oh by the way: With over 4 million hotspots..., who provides them actually and pays for the installation and running costs?

Either I am picked to be the one that does not deserve to get it or there is something foul.

Re: Content Screening problems

whiller123 — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 07:23:09 GMT

@bombinho

An interesting point my client that runs the public house used to have a problem with the same handful of Chinese IP addresses constantly probing at their open ports. I used to refresh the IP address at least twice a day but they were able to find us again straight away.

Since the content screening stopped working, nothing!

I had thought that a device on the network was betraying us but I now inclined to think that is was the BT content screening server. What better place for enterprising hackers to get UK business IP addresses from!

Rob

Re: Content Screening problems

bombinho — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 07:44:55 GMT

@whiller123

oha, that sounds pretty familiar. The only thing is that I meanwhile included a lot of chinese providers into my ip filters.

Have not received anything of that very recently.

But I had a similar phenomenon recently. I was running a server on the DNS port for trial.

After that I got flooded DNS requests until I blocked that too. IP change did not help at all. Within seconds

I got new requests. I might need to have a look into this again.

Interestingly these DNS request were part of an distributed attack against micro servers and farm machines.

(levered DNS attack). And there was an incredible lot.

And it was well spoofed.

Just if it is the CS server then it must connect straight to this and not only on request.

I had tried with nothing live but the sensor. And still. So surely it was none of the internal machines.

On the other side the "open" update structure of the hub actually asks for abuse.

So I was not sure. But there was no abuse of data so I took it easy and just made sure the level

of encryption in the traffic is up to date.

Bombinho

Re: Content Screening problems

whiller123 — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 09:17:09 GMT

@bombinho

Have you spoken to BT about the content screening? if so what did they say?

I have spoken to them 3 times now Twice they told me they are not doing it any more & once they told me they were working on the problem.

I have made other arrangements but to be honest the content screening in the hub was far better than anything I can find elsewhere.

I see on the BT web site they are selling content screening by McAfee (no thanks)

But they still have their page up telling us how to use the content screening in the business hub????

http://btbusiness.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/10853/~/managing-content-screening-and-internet-access-control

Rob