Having Problems Accessing ELi’s Reports?

For the last couple of weeks, some of our readers have been struggling to access our reports. Some readers aren’t able to access the site at all. Others run into slow loading that simply stops.

Our tech team has been working with our server host, A2Hosting, to try to remedy the problems.

From what we can ascertain, the root of the problem is a distributed denial of service (DDOS) attack. Cloudflare explains that a DDOS attack “is a malicious attempt to disrupt normal traffic of a targeted server, service or network by overwhelming the target or its surrounding infrastructure with a flood of Internet traffic.”

This doesn’t mean that ELi has been specifically selected for attack by somebody. In all likelihood, we are just caught in a tangle that has little to do with us other than its frustrating effects. As we’ve reported before, ELi’s servers (like just about everyone’s) are subject to constant hacker attacks.

To try to deal with DDOS attacks, server hosts like A2Hosting lock down various approaches. Ironically, that can slow things down for people who would not otherwise be running into problems.

If you’re running into problems on a computer, you can help us work with A2Hosting to diagnose the problem.

If you’re using a Windows device:

1. Open the command prompt. (This can be done by opening the start menu and searching for the command prompt.)

2. In the prompt, type this command: tracert eastlansinginfo.org

3. Copy the result as text or as a screenshot and send it to us at techsupport@eastlansinginfo.org.

If you’re using a Mac:

1. Use the search function in the upper right of your screen to find an application called Terminal. (Just open that search screen and type “terminal.”)

2. Then click on the Terminal application icon. That will open a little box.

3. Type in this: traceroute eastlansinginfo.org

4. Copy what the result is and send it to us at techsupport@eastlansinginfo.org.

Note: Whether you’re doing this on a PC or Mac, we also need to know your IP address. You can find that by going to http://ipfinder.us/. Copy that number with the decimals at the top, and send us that with your message.

Thank you in advance for your help!

One more thing: If there’s an article you know you want to read and you can’t access it, just drop me a note at publisher@eastlansinginfo.org and I’ll send you the article by email.