HTTP status code 403.

Posts: 6 · yoyo 27 Oct 2016, 15:04

On one partition I get this error (HTTP status code 403.) when I start up and FreeFileSync wants to check for newer versions.

Any Idea how to fix this? I don't have an option to let FreeFileSync not check for updates.

I understand from a google that it has to do with Internet Information Services (IIS) and Exchange Server 2010..(?)

Posts: 7282 · Zenju 27 Oct 2016, 17:41

Does this happen with the latest FFS 8.6?

Posts: 6 · yoyo 28 Oct 2016, 14:47

Yes. It happens with 8.6 also..
But it started already some time ago. I don't know anymore which version it started. (Or if it started with other software installs/updates)

I get a window every time I start FFS.
In blue letters : "Cannot find current FreeFileSync version number online. A newer version is likely available. Check manually now?"
in black letters : "HTTP status code 403."

If I then click the "Check" button it will start my default browser and go to https://freefilesync.org/get_latest.php

Posts: 7282 · Zenju 28 Oct 2016, 17:31

Can you give me an IP and a specific time when you receive the 403 by FFS 8.6? Maybe I can find something in the logs.

Posts: 6 · yoyo 29 Oct 2016, 23:54

xx.xxx.xx.xxx
I checked it now... 30 Oct 2016, twice @ 01:54 and 01:56 CET (GMT+2)

Posts: 7282 · Zenju 30 Oct 2016, 14:13

I'm seeing successful update checks on (UTC+2)
27/Oct/2016:00:00:44
27/Oct/2016:00:06:05
27/Oct/2016:00:38:20
27/Oct/2016:00:39:17

and browsing to the website on
27/Oct/2016:16:55:42
28/Oct/2016:16:32:35
28/Oct/2016:16:44:46
28/Oct/2016:17:33:19

So the 403 is not generated by the site but some intermediate layer. Is there a difference when you install FreeFileSync 8.5 and do the update check manually?

Posts: 6 · yoyo 31 Oct 2016, 02:33

I installed 8.5 again and I see a difference...

Version 8.5 does NOT give the "HTTP status code 403." error, but does give the "Cannot find current FreeFileSync version number online. A newer version is likely available. Check manually now?" error in blue letters.

So both 8.5 and 8.6 give the "Cannot find current FreeFileSync version number online. A newer version is likely available. Check manually now?" message...

Only version 8.6 also gives the "HTTP status code 403." message...

I now also found that if I unchecked "Check automatically once a week", I don't see the pop message every time I start FFS. I'll leave it unchecked for the time being. And I'll search for 'layers' on this side. Maybe it's my anti-virus that blocks attempts to download exe files... I use F-Secure...

Posts: 7282 · Zenju 31 Oct 2016, 10:56

Only version 8.6 also gives the "HTTP status code 403." message...yoyo

The newer version shows additional error details, but in general both versions are facing the same issue.

Maybe it's my anti-virus that blocks attempts to download exe files... I use F-Secure...yoyo

The update checks were received by the web site until "27/Oct/2016:00:39:17". Are you aware of any local changes since then?

Posts: 6 · yoyo 31 Oct 2016, 19:18

"27/Oct/2016:00:39:17" must be my other OS partition I think. That confirms a problem on my (current) working partition software 'layers'. Only on this partition I am using F-Secure...
F-Secure also gave warnings lately when entering the https://freefilesync.org/ website... As an untrusted website...

I turned off F-Secure and FFS worked normal. A check for updates answered with a pop-up "FreeFileSync is up to date."

I have turned on F-Secure again and FFS still works...
Strange... Does FFS has to write something in the registry or other (unsafe) area that might be blocked by F-Secure..?

Posts: 7282 · Zenju 1 Nov 2016, 10:47

The update check only fetches the version number from the homepage. Technically there shouldn't be a difference to a web browser doing the same. But who knows what heuristics F-Secure employs.

Posts: 6 · yoyo 1 Nov 2016, 15:20

Okay...

Then it's Problem Solved. Thanx..!