Why VPNs and Tor Nodes May Be BlockedAt Susan's Place, our first priority is maintaining a safe, supportive space free from harassment, spam, and abuse. Unfortunately, many attacks on online communities—including ours—originate from VPN services and Tor exit nodes. While these tools have legitimate uses for privacy and security, they are also frequently exploited by spammers and attackers seeking to conceal their identities.
How VPNs and Tor Are Used in AttacksAutomated spambots often use VPNs and Tor to create fake accounts, post advertisements or malicious links, and evade permanent bans. More advanced attackers use them to probe for vulnerabilities, attempt brute-force logins, or harass members while hiding their real locations. Because VPN and Tor exit nodes are shared by thousands of users, one bad actor can cause the entire IP to be blocked across multiple websites.
Our firewall and anti-spam systems continuously filter malicious traffic. While we work to minimize unnecessary restrictions, some VPN IPs inevitably get caught in those protections. Unfortunately, this is sometimes the only way to protect our members and keep the community functioning safely.
Our Policy on VPNs and Tor- VPN connections: These are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. When you report a blocked VPN IP, I assess both the severity of the incident that led to the block—such as spam, attacks, or other abusive activity—and how long it has been on the list. Your private message with the VPN's IPv4 address and the exact ban or error message helps me locate the specific rule and determine whether it can be safely adjusted or removed.
- Tor exit nodes: These are permanently blocked without exception. Tor is one of the most heavily abused networks for spam, hacking attempts, and harassment across the internet. Its design makes it impossible to separate legitimate use from malicious activity, so Susan's Place does not and will not allow connections from Tor.
If You're Blocked While Using a VPNIf you see a ban message while using a VPN, please don't panic and don't assume you've done anything wrong. In most cases, you've simply connected through an exit node that was previously used for spam or automated attacks. Our system can't tell the difference between a new visitor reading the rules and a spambot probing the forum, so it automatically blocks that IP as a precaution.
After disconnecting from the VPN, your device may still show the ban page. This usually means your browser or app cached the "banned" page rather than loading a new one. That's actually good news—it means the block is tied to the VPN's IP, not your device, home connection, or account. If you can access Susan's Place from your home computer but not from a device that previously used the VPN, your home IP is fine.
To clear a cached ban: turn off the VPN, clear your browser history and cookies, then fully restart the device. Afterward, you should be able to reconnect normally using your home or mobile internet.
To regain access more quickly: if your workplace allows it, switch your VPN to a different country or city. This gives you a new exit IP that's not blocked.
QuoteIf you're blocked from Susan's Place while using a VPN, please send me a private forum message with:
- Your exact IPv4 address – Connect your VPN first, then visit WhatIsMyIP.com and copy the address shown (it will look like four numbers separated by dots, for example [tt]8.8.8.8[/tt]).
- The full ban or error message you received – Copy the exact wording.
Many VPN exit nodes are widely abused by spammers and may be blocked for everyone using that node. We also maintain older anti-spam ranges that can occasionally catch legitimate traffic. When you send both your IPv4 and the exact ban message, I can pinpoint the trigger and determine whether the block can be safely adjusted.
For privacy, never post your IP publicly—always send it via PM.
Need immediate access? Switch your VPN to a different country or city and log in again, but still PM me the blocked IPv4 and ban message so I can investigate.
Cached bans (credit to tgirlamg/Ashley): The "banned" page can be cached on some phones or browsers. Turn off the VPN, clear your browsing history and cookies, and restart your device. If you still see a ban after disconnecting the VPN, try that sequence before reconnecting—and remember to PM me your IPv4 and ban message so I can look into it.
A Real-World ExampleLet's say you're browsing Susan's Place as a guest through a work VPN and suddenly see a ban message. You've likely triggered one of our automated anti-spam filters because that particular VPN exit node was flagged due to previous spam or attack activity. The system then blocks that IP to protect our community.
Later, when you go home and still see the ban message on your tablet or phone—even on your home WiFi—that's almost always a cached page. If your home computer can access the site normally, your home IP is fine. Simply clear your browser history and cookies, restart the device, and reconnect over your home WiFi to restore normal access.
If you'd like me to review the specific VPN IP that was blocked and see whether it can be safely removed, please send me a private message with the IPv4 address and the exact ban message. That allows me to identify what triggered the block and determine whether it can be adjusted without compromising security.
You Are Welcome HereIf you encounter one of these filters while trying to read our policies or join the community, please know that you're not in trouble. False positives occasionally happen with any strong anti-spam system. We value your privacy and participation, and we'll make sure you have safe, reliable access going forward—while continuing to protect our members from spam, harassment, and abuse.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out by private message.
— Susan
