Smith and Wesson Forum Got Filtered Out

[arabensburg]

I hope this does not get deleted.

Perhaps I am naïve, but I have not been exposed to such internet filtering. Today, I was in the big city of Houston on business and took a needed late lunch break at a favorite restaurant and ordered my usual waffle combo.

My cellphone was ready, and I attempted a log-in to Smith and Wesson Forum for a needed update in Gun Leather and Carry Gear. I do this every day in La Grange when I need to treat myself right.

Today, however, I could not get my fill of the "Brill" holster world but was blocked totally from the Smith and Wesson Forum. I tried many different ways to gain access but was barred consistently.

I was directed to a site, which I did not recognize. The Smith and Wesson Forum had been barred as a "weapons" organization. I attempted to block it without success.

When I left the restaurant, I called my cellphone carrier to complain and see if the problem was from its end, and it was not. According to two technicians, there was no such filtering policy in place. According to them, the problem came from the restaurant's Wi-Fi policy.

Tomorrow, I will complain to the restaurant, which is nationwide and has 214 such locations within the state of Texas. If not satisfied, then I will find another waffle combo elsewhere.


Neale Rabensburg

 

[gdogs]

1, Never connect to wifi that you don't 100% trust, and for most people that is their home, office, and their friend's homes. 2, The restaurant doesn't care, more than likely they have no say in the matter. If you are going to call anyone, call the corporate office... which probably will also not care.

 

[DETROIT]

Never use a stores Wi-Fi. It's like handing a your bank card and pin to a polite and thankful thief.

 

[cadmike]

Turn off your wifi and use data in that scenario.

My former employer, a large engineering firm, had a very strict internet use policy with filtering. "Weapons" was a forbidden category and this forum was blocked as such.

 

[pacecars]

Our police department's wi-fi blocked weapons sites also. I had to get the IT guys to give me access with my sign on. They just used what the city provided and then we had to show a need to access those sites.

 

[BillBond]

Your complaining about free wifi ?
If you were paying for it, then you might have a valid concern.

 

[SAFireman]

Some people use a proxy service to circumvent that type of filtering

 

[Ranger17]

I have had this happen for this or any firearm related site or search, if using a retailer or restaurant's wifi. Heck even other locations' wifi has blocked access as well.
Not for me to dictate what their free internet allows access to, not like I am required to use it. I just switch off my wifi and use data if I "need" to hit a specific site. In fact often m data or 5g is a heckuva lot faster than whatever free wifi was offered anyhow.

 

[M29since14]

Turn off your wifi and use data in that scenario…

That's what I would try. I agree with the OP's "vote with your feet" policy in cases where there's no reasonable workaround but, likewise, it never hurts to (politely) express your opinion to the management, too.

 

[bruce5781]

I keep an old phone with no sim card for using free wifi. Won't get calls, but I probably wouldn't answer if it did.

 

[WR Moore]

Another reason justifying my use of a stupid cell phone.

 

[glenwolde]

Businesses quite often buy a wifi router/appliance that includes a pre-configured filter for all sorts of things that a business may feel is not appropriate for employees or customers for a wide variety of reasons.

They can alter that to include what they want, but 99% of the time they just leave it with the default settings. Just be aware that it was not likely a conscious act on their part, just the default settings. The restaurant may not even have access to change it.

You can also get past it with a VPN. A VPN will also make it much more secure. I use public wifi at times, but never for anything sensitive like banking. Public wifi is becoming less relevant with the roll out of 5G and phones that become their own hot spot. That's what I use most of the time now.

 

[arabensburg]

A broad-brushed use of the word "weapons" goes too far.

Businesses quite often buy a wifi router/appliance that includes a pre-configured filter for all sorts of things that a business may feel is not appropriate for employees or customers for a wide variety of reasons.

They can alter that to include what they want, but 99% of the time they just leave it with the default settings. Just be aware that it was not likely a conscious act on their part, just the default settings. The restaurant may not even have access to change it.

You can also get past it with a VPN. A VPN will also make it much more secure. I use public wifi at times, but never for anything sensitive like banking. Public wifi is becoming less relevant with the roll out of 5G and phones that become their own hot spot. That's what I use most of the time now.

I still have an objection to any company's guest Wi-Fi service, which practices censorship. A broad-brushed use of the word "weapons" goes too far. Decision makers in a company are definitely aware of Wi-Fi policies and filters whether 3rd party driven or not because sales and/or services could be negatively impacted.

Those leaning in one direction might say it does not but others in the opposing direction, like me, believe it was an infringement since I was unable to access a discussion group, namely, the Smith and Wesson Forum.

The word "weapons" means "arms". The Second Amendment protects the use of the word "arms", when it says, "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

The word "weapons" and probably the word "arms" as well, are being barred from the language by some large companies in the private sector for reasons which could be up for discussion elsewhere.

The US Constitution protects these words, which have now been classified as unacceptable and dangerous by some corporate executives and third parties.

Neale Rabensburg

 

[M29since14]

This topic interests me, I guess. I use a spice-herb mix when I cook chicken that I buy from a company that actively promotes views I can't agree with. I like their product, not their politics. I could write them and complain about them using my email address to express their political opinions, but I just buy their stuff and ignore the rest. They're not going to change my mind, nor me theirs. I believe in their right to use their own resources to promote their views - and to live with whatever the consequences. Maybe I continue to buy from them because doing so reinforces my philosophy that I should reasonably be able to tolerate the views of others that vary from my own… ?

Bottom line here is (presumably) it's a privately-owned restaurant and the internet access provided occurs at the expense of the business, likely with no sort of contract as to allowed content between the business and patron. The business should be able to do (restrict) whatever they choose - and suffer/enjoy the consequences. That's the way it should be, IMO. Let them know you object, if you care to, then vote with your feet!

 

[Baxter6551]

Try looking anything up while in a hospital waiting room and using their WiFi …. Many subjects are blocked that us here on the forum might be interested in. Yes I know about the why shouldn't connect and cautions.

 

[chief38]

A) I never use a wifi connection other than my own, family member or close friend.

B) I use EVPN

C) This type of thing is happening more and more across our Country every day and will only worsen rapidly. Welcome to the new world order.

 

[jeffrefrig]

For the next 30 minutes and for your dining pleasure, WE will control what you see; what you hear; what you feel; what you think. When you leave here you will remember nothing...