(7) could not connect to host, but CURL is okay

The CURL proxy is set to 'false', RodG, and I have finally gotten the support team to admit api-3t.paypal.com is unreachable from the server. But it is reachable from their other servers. I have to now wait for the client to call Paypal to check their blacklist.

isaiah36:

I have finally gotten the support team to admit api-3t.paypal.com is unreachable from the server. But it is reachable from their other servers.

I hope they don't expect the PINGs to work?

isaiah36:

I have to now wait for the client to call Paypal to check their blacklist.

It's not your clients problem to fix, it is the host's problem, so they are the ones that'll be needing to contact PayPal. That's not to say PayPal won't act on the clients' report, but the host should (theoretically) be more knowledgeable, and will be able to answer any questions that PayPal may have. Odds are, the client won't even know the IP address of the server where the site is hosted.

Cheers
Rod

PS. To the best of my knowledge, PayPal don't blacklist any websites. No need. It is safer & easier for them to blacklist the account holders instead

No CURL proxy, RodG. I can do nothing more till the client contacts Paypal and checks their blacklist. The hosting support did recognize (finally) there was a problem reaching api-3t.paypal.com from this dedicated IP, but they were unable to replicate the problem from their other servers. Their DNS entries are correct. So, the likely problem is that Paypal firewall has blocked, due to malicious hacker activity.

The host probably has additional IP addresses available that they could swap in to replace the one that's being blocked on you.

isaiah36:

So, the likely problem is that Paypal firewall has blocked, due to malicious hacker activity.

I hope you are wrong about this (for you and/or your client's sake). IF Paypal firewall has blocked this dedicated IP "due to malicious hacker activity" it implies that someone has recently (ie: in the days before the blocking took place) had access to the rastaheadwraps.com server and were using it in their attempts to hack into the PayPal servers.

It's not unusual for hackers to do this, it helps cover their tracks, but the implication is, these hackers still have access to the rastaheadwraps.com server (unless you've found and blocked the hole they used to gain access).

Please understand that I'm not trying to find fault with you and/or any assumptions that your are making. My main interest is in trying to help you get your clients' paypal problem fixed in as minimal time as possible, and all the while you are convinced that PayPal has the site blacklisted you are ignoring some of the other possible (and more likely) causes.

I also have a bit of a personal interest in this type of problem, because I run the ozpost shipping quote servers, which use the same communication methods as the PayPal servers, and I've lost count of the number of reports/claims I've had over the years whereby it has been categorically stated they can't connect to our servers because our firewall has them blocked. This has never been the case, simply because the quote servers don't use a firewall. It has sometimes taken days/weeks before I've managed to convince them that we need to be looking elsewhere for the real cause of the problem.

I fear that you and your client could be in this exact same position, and as my opening comments state, if paypal have blocked the site due to "malicious hacker activity" then you have bigger problems than just the PayPal firewall blocking.

Cheers
Rod

RodG, if it is confirmed that Paypal block is not the problem then we will indeed be in a serious quandary. What would be the signs that the hacker still has access? I changed all passwords after the last known hack, should we change passwords again? would it make a difference? The site came up clean on tests by Norton and AVG.

A good starting point: http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.php/Recovering_From_Hacks

Problem appears to be fixed:

http://rastaheadwraps.com/extras/curltester.php?paypal=1

Cheers
Rod

Incredible! the client called Paypal, and they said she is not paying for the premium service so that is why it is failing, but she says she has never paid for any premium service from Paypal, go figure - based upon this curl test I will try it to see how it goes, thanks again RodG! you guys are just unbelievable

Oy. It has nothing to do with what PayPal "service" she has. Good grief, talk about passing the buck!
Tell her to get a host who has a clue!

It was not the host, Dr. Byte, it was the Paypal rep who told the client this. I did finally get the hosts to admit api-3t.paypal.com was unreachable, but only from the specific IP, not other servers. This may be something the client would go for, based upon pricing, but it probably needs a bit more integration into Zen than the Express button

https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/paypal-payments-advanced

isaiah36:

This may be something the client would go for, based upon pricing, but it probably needs a bit more integration into Zen than the Express button

https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/paypal-payments-advanced

This is an overkill for most merchants. There also not only the cost to consider, but since the CC details are handled by the store itself (rather than PayPal) it also has some serious security implications.

Cheers
Rod

isaiah36:

It was not the host, Dr. Byte, it was the Paypal rep who told the client this.
Oops. I misread your post.
Clearly they gave your client incorrect information. It has nothing to do with what PayPal services she's using. PPA is their latest marketing push, so I'm not surprised that she's being told to sign up for their latest paid service. Blah blah blah.