Why am I repeatedly asked for security verification to access Mumsnet?

[SOT3]

For a few weeks now every time I try to go on to Mumsnet it won't let me go on to the page, it always says 'Performing Security Verification' to check that I am not a bot.

It does always let me in eventually but takes several minutes which is quite frustrating if I only have ten minutes or so on a break to look at Mumsnet.

I have been a member on here for around 15 years now and have never had any problems with my account, no deletions or temporary bans etc, so it feels quite off that I am now having to prove myself before I am allowed to access my account now.

Please could you look in to this for me, and look at my account history to see that I am definitely not a bot, and please arrange for my account membership to go back to the way it always has been previously.

Yes I've had this three times today! It seemingly triggers at random (e.g. moving to page 4 of a thread) and it gets stuck on it for ages each time! I'm logged in, and have been a member for years (across three international moves); that should be enough to verify that I'm not a bot. I am coming from abroad atm, but this never happens on my phone on the same IP address. Could you at least set it up so that it saves a cookie on "verified" computers so we don't have to do it multiple times a day?

I wouldn't take it personally as it happens to others too.

I get it probably every couple of months but it doesn't take several minutes for me to get in, just a few extra seconds I'd say.

I'd be annoyed if it took as long as it does for you.

Yes I've been getting this today, every time I go to active convos!

Thank you all for replying, I really appreciate it.

LadyTable, I haven't taken it personally, it was more the point that the message always ends up saying that I have been verified as not being a bot, so I was thinking that surely the system could then retain that information and stop putting me through the verification process multiple times a day.

Hi @SOT3 ,

The security verification checks you're seeing aren't related to your account history, length of membership, or any moderation action on your account. They're generated automatically by browser security systems and can sometimes be triggered by factors such as browser settings, network configuration, mobile data connections, VPN use, or other signals that the system detects.

Can we just ask whether you're using mobile data to view the site? @LadyTable @AuContrairePubicHair if you could let us know whether you're on wifi or data too, that'd be extremely useful.

Laptop, Google Chrome, desktop and BT home hub.

It doesn't happen very often though and only takes a few seconds to verify.

Thank you for replying to my query I appreciate it.

No I am not using mobile data I am using wifi.

Hello @SOT3 thanks for the info. We had added some extra security checks over the weekend and so you may be pleased to hear this wasn't an issue relating to your account in particular. We turn this on when the site is receiving an unusually high level of automated traffic just as a precautionary measure. Just checking you're able to access the site okay now?

Hi Becky, I have just tried again and unfortunately it is still happening.

Just to mention again in case it is relevant, this has not just been happening since the weekend it has been going on for two or three weeks now.

Thank you for your help.

I have the same, and moreover it now just slows to a crawl when I click on a new thread. It's better on my phone. Laptop is awful (Chrome, WiFi).

Hi Becky, I was just wondering if you could give me an update please on whether this problem will be sorted out, so that I am able to go back to using my account normally?

I had a search for this thread because I have started to have the same issue too. In my case it goes to the cloudflare screen and just locks up for ages, and a few times has just stuck. I wondered if it was because of my non UK IP and I had been flagged as a "propaganda" account or something, but the reply from @BeckyAMumsnet explains it.

Looks like a temporary thing till whoever is spamming stops spamming. Or whatever they do.

Thanks for the answer MNHQ.

Hi there @SOT3. Yes, this should all be fixed now. Let us know if you have any further problems.

I just had another cloudflare lockup. Non UK IP.

Was ok earlier, but as UK woke up it started again. So likely traffic ?

Hi Becky, unfortunately it is still happening, no different to when I first put my post up.

I am still having to be verified that I am not a malicious bot every time I try to go on to Mumsnet.

Hi again @SOT3.

These checks happen at Cloudflare level, before the traffic reaches Mumsnet, so they’re not linked to whether you’re logged in or not. They’re triggered by things like traffic patterns, IP and, sometimes, where the connection is coming from. So some users may see them more often if they’re using a VPN, iCloud Private Relay, a proxy, or posting from a non-UK connection.

This isn’t something unique to Mumsnet as lots of sites use similar checks to protect themselves from automated or suspicious traffic, but we do appreciate that this is irritating if you’re being asked to prove you’re human while trying to read a thread.

We do need to keep some checks in place when we detect suspicious traffic, and in some cases they may stay on for locations where we repeatedly see problems. But we’ll keep reviewing it and ease anything we safely can.

This is still happening every time I log in, and I am not using any of the methods you list above that might necessitate extra screening.

I am using my mobile phone, the same one and in the same way as I have been using for years on Mumsnet with no problems.

Could you please look in to this further and attempt to get my account reinstated to normal service, I am sure it could be arranged to have a note put against my account that I do not need these constant checks to see if I am a malicious bot week after week.

@SOT3 can we just ask, are you receiving our responses via email?