Last week I mentioned I couldn't get onto Stromtrooper.com. Then I found I couldn't get to RangeRovers.net. "Odd", I thought. Then I wondered if it was an issue with the owner of both, VerticalScope. They own 640 automotive fora. I tried a lot and every one failed.

I Googled for ideas, tried resetting the DNS, etc, using desktop with wired ethernet, my iPad, iPhone (WiFi), my wife's Mac (wired ethernet), all to no avail and started to suspect my ISP, Optus. So I asked a neighbour whom I also used Optus. He couldn't access the sites, either.

However, said neighbour could get through on mobile data (he's with Aldi - [Telstra]). Hmm. So I tried at my local coffee shop and could get through on their WiFi. They also use Telstra.

I tried talking to Optus tech support but initially they said it's my network. When I challenged them, they said I need to contact the overseas company, VerticalScope in Canada.

I happened to go onto Whirlpool and found a single post from a bloke who couldn't get onto some sports fora. Well, what do you know, they are hosted by VerticalSports, part of VerticalScope. I replied to him with my tale of woe.

Unable to access specific website(s) - Cable - Optus Broadband - Whirlpool Forums

It seems VS aren't the only site affected, Amazon is, too.

I tried the suggestion to change my DNS from automatically detect to 8:8:8:8 and 8:8:4:4 but to no avail.

I've emailed VS (I had a contact address as I'm a Moderator on Stromtrooper.com) but the bloke is away until 6th July so I've emailed the company with TRACERT results, etc.

How long it will take to fix I have no idea.