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Question

How do I unblock a blocked domain?

Jul 16, 2013 6:26AM PDT

Hi,
I got a "This domain is blocked " msg from the Huffingtonpost.com site while attempting a search that was trying to access "search.huffingtonpost.com. The screen also said this happened "based on category choices" re "News/Media/Blogs/Politics" and seemed to be coming from "blocked-website.com." Also said I should contact my network administrator. Well, that's me and I am the only user on this computer (an older MacBook). I have looked at Mac Preferences as well as settings for Safari and Firefox and cannot figure how or what was blocked to be able to unblock - can someone guide me here?

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
I've seen this from OpenDNS users.
Jul 16, 2013 6:33AM PDT

That can be in your router choice so you as the admin would know which DNS you are using.
Bob

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Blocked Domain
Jul 16, 2013 8:36AM PDT

Yes, the msg also said "powered by OpenDNS". And yes, I'm also the Administrator. I surely did not block this domain, though. I really hate messing with the router - must I get into the router software to clear the block? You also said "which DNS you are using - I didn't know there was more than on(!) Can you tell me how to determine that?

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Yes.
Jul 16, 2013 9:00AM PDT
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Blocked Domains --
Jul 16, 2013 10:53AM PDT

I took a quick look at the link - thanks, Bob - but before I start messing with this, please clarify: are you suggesting I switch from OpenDNS to GoogleDNS? And that the switch itself would/could solve the blocked domain issue?

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Sorry.
Jul 16, 2013 11:04AM PDT

But my answer is the same given the same questions. Since you can change it back, I'm unsure what the new question is here.

I don't want to upset you but this should be a few minute test. If it fails then ask OpenDNS what they did and while I did use them awhile back their failures and such put me off. So I changed and moved on.
Bob

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Blocked
Jul 16, 2013 1:51PM PDT

Not at all upset - just squeamish and maybe over-cautious - will try the switch and report back.

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Blocked -
Jul 17, 2013 5:21AM PDT

Well - I followed instructions on HowToGeek but Tiger (fully updated) does not show a DNS tab as stated, just TCP/IP, PPOE, Ethernet and a couple more. (My system is Ethernet). Under TCP/IP, there is a block labeled DNS Servers, noted as "optional", where I could enter data. I tried contacting HowToGeek to see how to proceed without the DNS tab but both my Safari and Firefox software, as up to date as they can be, are not up enough for Geek to allow me to contact them.

Any place to go from here? Or should I just hold until I get a new Mac someday?

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I would have entered in the DNS for a try.
Jul 17, 2013 5:35AM PDT

I know folk are mystified about all this but if you use OpenDNS such can happen. Support seems hard to find today.
Bob

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Blocked
Jul 17, 2013 10:35AM PDT

I'm going to print and file this information for future reference. Thanks, Bob.

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Update
Jul 18, 2013 5:25AM PDT

Wanted to let you know that I gave the GoogleDNS numbers a try in the Mac Preferences-Network-TCP/IP tab and all seems to be working well - that is, the couple of domains that were blocked are now unblocked. I'm not happy going with Google and will continue looking for other options, but regardless, thought you'd like to know. And thanks again.

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Be happy. Try.
Jul 18, 2013 5:34AM PDT

Now that we know that works, why not try your ISP's DNS entries. I can't guess from the clues so far what that is.

As you may or not know, ATT is up to it's old ways as Samsung Smart TVs don't connect. I'm unsure if it's intentional but ATT is battling for the market share of smart tv or set top boxes so my bet is it was intentional. You can read about it at:
http://forums.cnet.com/7723-13973_102-597428/samsung-smart-tv-won-t-connect-to-internet/?tag=posts;msg5478266

Here's a note about Godaddy's DNS shenanigans:
http://rscott.org/dns/GoDaddy_Selective_DNS_Blackouts.htm

And you found no support or help with OpenDNS so what's so bad about Google DNS?
Bob

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Google
Jul 18, 2013 10:55AM PDT

Just that it's Google - gobbling up the world.

Will take a look at your links - Thanks.

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Then and if so inclined, your very own DNS server?
Jul 18, 2013 11:02AM PDT
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Answer
Broadband forum: How do I unblock a blocked domain?
Sep 29, 2013 5:40PM PDT

Go to your Dashboard and undo what you did to get them blocked, whether by category or individual domain. Only the categories or domains you choose to be blocked are blocked. If you want a category to be blocked, but you want a particular domain in that category to be unblocked, add it to the Never Block list.