Why is Cloudflare blocking me?

cloudflare

Cloudflare is a content delivery network (CDN) and security service that helps protect websites from various threats, such as DDoS attacks, malicious bots, and hackers. If Cloudflare is blocking you, it’s likely because the security settings on the website you’re trying to access have identified your connection as potentially suspicious or harmful. Some common reasons for Cloudflare blocking your access include:

  1. IP reputation: Cloudflare maintains a list of IP addresses known for spam, hacking attempts, or other malicious activities. If your IP address is on this list or has a poor reputation, you may be blocked.
  2. High security settings: The website owner might have set their Cloudflare security settings to a high level, causing more aggressive filtering of incoming traffic. In such cases, even legitimate users might be blocked or challenged.
  3. Rate limiting: Cloudflare can block or limit access from IP addresses that make too many requests within a short period, as this can indicate a DDoS attack or automated scraping attempts.
  4. Browser or user agent issues: Using an outdated browser, a non-standard user agent, or having disabled cookies and JavaScript might trigger Cloudflare’s security measures.
  5. VPN or proxy usage: Using VPNs, proxies, or Tor can sometimes cause Cloudflare to flag your connection as suspicious, as these tools are often used to hide malicious activities.
  6. Firewall rules: The website owner may have set specific firewall rules in Cloudflare that block certain IP addresses, countries, or user agents.

To resolve the issue, you can try the following:

  1. Clear your browser cache and cookies, and ensure JavaScript is enabled.
  2. Update your browser to the latest version or try using a different browser.
  3. Temporarily disable your VPN or proxy, if you are using one.
  4. Check your internet connection and restart your modem or router to obtain a new IP address.
  5. If you suspect your IP address has been mistakenly flagged, you can contact the website owner or Cloudflare support to request a review of your IP address.

Remember that these measures are in place to protect websites and their users from security threats. While blocking can be frustrating, the intent is to maintain a safe online environment for everyone.

FAQ

  • How do i know if i have been blocked by Cloudflare?
  • How does Cloudflare block websites?
  • How long does a Cloudflare block last?
  • How do i unblock my IP address on Cloudflare?

Published on: 2023-03-31
Updated on: 2023-03-31

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Isaac Adams-Hands

Isaac Adams-Hands is the SEO Director at SEO North, a company that provides Search Engine Optimization services. As an SEO Professional, Isaac has considerable expertise in On-page SEO, Off-page SEO, and Technical SEO, which gives him a leg up against the competition.