New FM Security Features Causing Problems?
p.1 #1New FM Security Features Causing Problems?
Recently I’ve been running into consistent issues with the security features that seem to now be in place on FM. I do understand the need to deal with some of the attacks and other issues that current webmasters face, but for me these features are at times making FM almost unusable.
For example…
Yesterday evening I was logged in via iPhone, but when I went to the site I got that screen asking me to verify that I’m not a bot. I did so and was taken to the site. But then, every single time I switched to a different forum at FM I got the same message and had to again go through the verification process that I had just completed I finally just gave up.
Another example…
Today I’m using an iPad to read the forum. So far, almost every time I have attempted to post a reply to a forum message, after I hit the post or share button I again get the verification screen… and when it completes I get another error. At that point I’ve lost the message that I just composed and cannot get it back. (Sometimes I’m remembering to copy my messages after I finish writing so that I can start all over when this happens, but that’s not a realistic kludge.)
At the moment, this is making FM quite difficult to use.
For example…
Yesterday evening I was logged in via iPhone, but when I went to the site I got that screen asking me to verify that I’m not a bot. I did so and was taken to the site. But then, every single time I switched to a different forum at FM I got the same message and had to again go through the verification process that I had just completed I finally just gave up.
Another example…
Today I’m using an iPad to read the forum. So far, almost every time I have attempted to post a reply to a forum message, after I hit the post or share button I again get the verification screen… and when it completes I get another error. At that point I’ve lost the message that I just composed and cannot get it back. (Sometimes I’m remembering to copy my messages after I finish writing so that I can start all over when this happens, but that’s not a realistic kludge.)
At the moment, this is making FM quite difficult to use.
Sep 24, 2026 at 09:49 AM
p.1 #2New FM Security Features Causing Problems?
Hi Dan, you're not alone in your new FM experience. On my old phone (Samsung S9) I can't even get the FM website to load in Firefox Focus browser. In DuckDuckGo it will load, but can't return to the original loading page. On my laptop, I have to allow cookies & scripts, which I loathe for security reasons. A.I. has changed everything. Nothing will be secure. I was reading the MacRumors forum & someone posted that MacOS 26 & 27 were buggy because bad actors are using A.I. to find zero-day hacks to exploit. They claim Apple engineers are doing the same. They claim that's why there have been so many patches in their updates, which doesn't always olay nice because they don't have the luxury of time to patch these security issues. These are all harbingers of things to come.
Wing.
Wing.
Sep 24, 2026 at 07:28 PM
p.1 #3New FM Security Features Causing Problems?
I'm using LibreWolf in Windows and it is working fine at FM. It's a version of FireFox that has the tracking and most other crap removed. There is one Cloudflare challenge when visiting the site initially and then another one when logging in. That's it. I can navigate all over and see no further challenges until lagging out. I'm not using the AI.
EBH
EBH
Sep 24, 2026 at 09:28 PM
p.1 #4New FM Security Features Causing Problems?
Issue here as well, today only. Usually can stay logged in, but was kicked out today and had to log in again. First time that has happened to me in a very long while.
Sep 24, 2026 at 11:47 PM
p.1 #5New FM Security Features Causing Problems?
I run a VPN on my devices, including my MacOS desktop and my iOs and iPadOS devices. For various reasons, this is generally not a debatable option at this point.
At times I have tried temporarily disabling the VPN for 5 minutes, but even with that the problems persist.
These things are not consistent. For example, today I am at the FM site with no issues…
At times I have tried temporarily disabling the VPN for 5 minutes, but even with that the problems persist.
These things are not consistent. For example, today I am at the FM site with no issues…
Sep 26, 2026 at 08:48 AM
p.1 #6New FM Security Features Causing Problems?
I do not have a smartphone.
I do use Window's pc's and my wife's Macbook Pro laptop.
I use AdBlocker Ultimate and do not have any issues of any kind.
I have Norton's Tracker software and I use a VPN on all but the mac.
Yes I get the Cloudfare "challenge" 2xs before I get logged in to FM but after that nada!
Dan2
I do use Window's pc's and my wife's Macbook Pro laptop.
I use AdBlocker Ultimate and do not have any issues of any kind.
I have Norton's Tracker software and I use a VPN on all but the mac.
Yes I get the Cloudfare "challenge" 2xs before I get logged in to FM but after that nada!
Dan2
Sep 26, 2026 at 10:35 AM
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p.1 #7New FM Security Features Causing Problems?
gdanmitchell wrote:
I run a VPN on my devices, including my MacOS desktop and my iOs and iPadOS devices. For various reasons, this is generally not a debatable option at this point.
At times I have tried temporarily disabling the VPN for 5 minutes, but even with that the problems persist.
These things are not consistent. For example, today I am at the FM site with no issues…
I'd try a few different browsers also. Security software can cause the issues to be worse by breaking some site functionality.
EBH
I run a VPN on my devices, including my MacOS desktop and my iOs and iPadOS devices. For various reasons, this is generally not a debatable option at this point.
At times I have tried temporarily disabling the VPN for 5 minutes, but even with that the problems persist.
These things are not consistent. For example, today I am at the FM site with no issues…
I'd try a few different browsers also. Security software can cause the issues to be worse by breaking some site functionality.
EBH
Sep 26, 2026 at 02:26 PM
p.1 #8New FM Security Features Causing Problems?
Cloudflare took over one minute to clear me earlier today on my notebook. It took only a few seconds, just now on my phone.
Sep 26, 2026 at 06:50 PM
p.1 #9New FM Security Features Causing Problems?
No issues at all using Safari on an iMac.
Sep 26, 2026 at 09:54 PM
p.1 #10New FM Security Features Causing Problems?
I'm getting a white screen with a message in the upper left hand corner that says "access denied" about 50% of the time. I never know whether my replies will be posted, or lost to the ether. I'm on a MacBook Pro using Safari. Sometimes if I open the forum in a private browser, it will let me in, but recently even that hasn't worked. Quite frustrating when you spend the time composing a helpful reply, only to then either lose it, or not be able to log in to try again. I'm copying every reply just before hitting "send reply", just in case.
Oct 01, 2026 at 09:43 AM
p.1 #11New FM Security Features Causing Problems?
gdanmitchell wrote:
Recently I’ve been running into consistent issues with the security features that seem to now be in place on FM. I do understand the need to deal with some of the attacks and other issues that current webmasters face, but for me these features are at times making FM almost unusable.
For example…
Yesterday evening I was logged in via iPhone, but when I went to the site I got that screen asking me to verify that I’m not a bot. I did so and was taken to the site. But then, every single time I switched to a different forum...Show more →
Dan,
I will mention this as a possible cause in the last few weeks or so.
Everyone should see that Fred has a new "opening" web page.
Speculation could be that in upgrading that page, other issues resulted?
I have not had issues as members have posted here. I do use AdBlock Ultimate and rarely, if EVER, do I have issues with ads or login.
I use an Anti-Tracker and VPN on my Windows pcs. And MalwayreBytes on my wife's mac.
Just speculation here. I am not a "techie" so I can't answer many of your issuess.
Good luck!
Oh do keep Fred aware of the issues.
Dan2
Recently I’ve been running into consistent issues with the security features that seem to now be in place on FM. I do understand the need to deal with some of the attacks and other issues that current webmasters face, but for me these features are at times making FM almost unusable.
For example…
Yesterday evening I was logged in via iPhone, but when I went to the site I got that screen asking me to verify that I’m not a bot. I did so and was taken to the site. But then, every single time I switched to a different forum...Show more →
Dan,
I will mention this as a possible cause in the last few weeks or so.
Everyone should see that Fred has a new "opening" web page.
Speculation could be that in upgrading that page, other issues resulted?
I have not had issues as members have posted here. I do use AdBlock Ultimate and rarely, if EVER, do I have issues with ads or login.
I use an Anti-Tracker and VPN on my Windows pcs. And MalwayreBytes on my wife's mac.
Just speculation here. I am not a "techie" so I can't answer many of your issuess.
Good luck!
Oh do keep Fred aware of the issues.
Dan2
Oct 01, 2026 at 09:47 AM