Spark blocking MediaFire downloads

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BarryQuest

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Topic # 170915 30-Mar-2015 20:19

I have just had confirmation from Technical Support at Spark that they are blocking downloads from MediaFire.

I discovered this after a day of thinking it was a problem with my PC and trying to fix it. I realised the problem was not specific to my PC when I tried it on several other PCs and had the same problem. I then tried it at a friends house on Vodafone and the file downloaded fine.

I then tried using a proxy and was successful in downloading the file so this led me to believe that Spark were the cause. Spark Tech support were reluctant to admit it but eventually did stating that the MediaFire downloads are being blocked for security reasons, the file I am trying to download is content I created myself and is of no security risk at all and violates no copy write laws but that doesn't seem to matter to Spark as they have taken the blanket approach of blocking all downloads from Mediafire.

If you would like to test this here is a link to a txt file I have uploaded just with the word "test" written in it. If you are on Spark please let me know if you are able to download it successfully.

I will be changing ISP as soon as my contact expires.

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'That VDSL Cat'
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Reply # 1273759 30-Mar-2015 20:48

One person supports this post

i wouldnt think spark would block mediafire.

Ild be interested in what a spark rep has to say on this...

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

BarryQuest

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Reply # 1273761 30-Mar-2015 20:51

I wouldn't have thought so either but there seemed like no other explanation......and then they admitted it.

Talkiet

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Spark NZ

Reply # 1273768 30-Mar-2015 21:00

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BarryQuest: I have just had confirmation from Technical Support at Spark that they are blocking downloads from MediaFire.

I discovered this after a day of thinking it was a problem with my PC and trying to fix it. I realised the problem was not specific to my PC when I tried it on several other PCs and had the same problem. I then tried it at a friends house on Vodafone and the file downloaded fine.

I then tried using a proxy and was successful in downloading the file so this led me to believe that Spark were the cause. Spark Tech support were reluctant to admit it but eventually did stating that the MediaFire downloads are being blocked for security reasons, the file I am trying to download is content I created myself and is of no security risk at all and violates no copy write laws but that doesn't seem to matter to Spark as they have taken the blanket approach of blocking all downloads from Mediafire.

If you would like to test this here is a link to a txt file I have uploaded just with the word "test" written in it. If you are on Spark please let me know if you are able to download it successfully.

I will be changing ISP as soon as my contact expires.

I'm certain you misunderstood what was said, or the person on the phone was simply wrong. I don't know how that could really be though since I can tell you for a fact there is no intentional blocking of traffic on our network with the following exceptions that spring to mind:

Port 25 - See here for details (http://help.spark.co.nz/app/answers/detail/a_id/1218)
Port 53 - DNS protection measure - you can opt out of this as well by applying for the port 25 unblock above
Any sites covered by DIA content filter (AKA the child porn block)

Please PM me with the incident number you had logged.

Your link to a test file doesn't show up.

For the avoidance of doubt, Spark does not have a blanket block on downloads from Mediafire.

Cheers - N

[edit: Sorry, from time to time we also block specific URLs and sites that are phishing targets but I've never heard of us blocking a genuine domain for this reason]

Jase2985

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Reply # 1273769 30-Mar-2015 21:04

One person supports this post

if you post the link up maybe others on spark can see if there is an issue

Inphinity

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Reply # 1273771 30-Mar-2015 21:06

I have had issues with MediaFire downloads while having an adblocker running, do you have an adblocker or similar enabled that could be causing trouble?

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michaelmurfy

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Reply # 1273779 30-Mar-2015 21:11

Mediafire is working 100% fine with me on a Spark UFB connection. The problem is something with your setup. Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
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LennonNZ

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Reply # 1273781 30-Mar-2015 21:16

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Can you try: (just made by me). just a text file and a big buck bunny trailer

http://www.mediafire.com/view/44xrej2qls9t6q8/testfile.txt
http://www.mediafire.com/watch/6l8vugmb6zlc9vk/trailer_480p.mov

Inphinity

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Reply # 1273784 30-Mar-2015 21:19

LennonNZ: Can you try: (just made by me). just a text file and a big buck bunny trailer

http://www.mediafire.com/view/44xrej2qls9t6q8/testfile.txt
http://www.mediafire.com/watch/6l8vugmb6zlc9vk/trailer_480p.mov

Those both work for me on Spark UFB.

Jase2985

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Reply # 1273790 30-Mar-2015 21:27

Inphinity:
LennonNZ: Can you try: (just made by me). just a text file and a big buck bunny trailer

http://www.mediafire.com/view/44xrej2qls9t6q8/testfile.txt
http://www.mediafire.com/watch/6l8vugmb6zlc9vk/trailer_480p.mov

Those both work for me on Spark UFB.

and me on spark VDSL

and thats with sparks DNS servers and ad block plus turned ON

robjg63

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Reply # 1273820 30-Mar-2015 22:04

Antivrus?
Try temporarily disabling and see if the av is getting in the way...

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

BarryQuest

12 posts

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Reply # 1273823 30-Mar-2015 22:12

Thanks for your replies. Neither of those files download for me, here is the link I meant to post before
http://www.mediafire.com/view/ld92kcq211bu1pa/test.txt

I have tried multiple computers and various browsers and the result is the same on all. I can get the to page with the download link but the file never downloads....unless I use a proxy such as 4everproxy.

I dont mean to jump to conclusions but Im running out of ideas and the tech at Spark definitely said that Mediafire downloads were being blocked.

I dont have an incident number as I didnt think there was much point but I am happy to PM you my account and phone numbers if that will help.

BarryQuest

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Reply # 1273826 30-Mar-2015 22:22

robjg63: Antivrus?
Try temporarily disabling and see if the av is getting in the way...

I have turned off AV, firewall, disabled all Antispyware and Ad blocking software, I have never had a problem before with MediaFire downloads and I have tried the download from my 3 laptops and another desktop pc apart from my own PC.

I have uninstalled and reinstalled Chrome, I have tried Internet Explorer, I have reset all settings to default, I have rebooted the router and also reset it to factory defaults. Nothing works except connecting to the page via 4everproxy and clicking the download link there.