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Verizon no longer to allow users to use FTP to maintain their personal web site

Just received this email from Verizon:

_________________________________________________________

Dear Verizon Internet User:

As part of our ongoing enhancements to the online customer experience, Verizon continues to ensure security for our Internet customers. As a result of this ongoing effort, Verizon Online is making modifications to the Internet access provided to you. These modifications will occur on August 21, 2011. For security reasons, Verizon will no longer allow users to FTP their HTML files to the personal web site Verizon offers.

Verizon recommends that current FTP users download their files prior to August 21, 2011 to prevent any data loss.

If you still wish to have a Verizon website, please go to our site builder tool available with Personal Webspace which can be found under My Services in My Verizon at:

http://my.verizon.com/central/vzc.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pws_manageWebSpace#wlp_pws_manageWebSpace

Remember, after August 21, 2011, you will not be able to use FTP for uploading your files.

Thanks for being a valued Verizon Online customer. We encourage you to act now to protect your private information.

Sincerely,
Verizon Online
____________________________________________________________

Anybody here use FTP to manage the pages on their personal website? It appears they want us to use only the Site Builder; any clue what security reasons there would be for eliminating the use of FTP and forcing us to use Site Builder? No explanation in the email or on any web page I have found so far.

__________________________________
Justin
FiOS TV, Internet, and phone user
QIP7232, IMG 1.8, Build 02.54
Keller, TX 76248

Comments

tgraner

I received the same email. Wondering the same things. I use the iWeb page builder on my MAC to make my pages and then upload using FTP software (ClassicFTP).

Does this really mean that after that date I can't use it to upload or delete items??

Hmmmmmm. From what I saw on the Verizon site it looks like if you pay them $5.95 per month to get a bigger site you can have domain names AND use FTP. If that is the case I will probably just use Google or Yahoo.

Tom

Justin46

@tgraner wrote:
I received the same email. Wondering the same things. I use the iWeb page builder on my MAC to make my pages and then upload using FTP software (ClassicFTP).
Does this really mean that after that date I can't use it to upload or delete items??
That's the way I read it......
Hmmmmmm. From what I saw on the Verizon site it looks like if you pay them $5.95 per month to get a bigger site you can have domain names AND use FTP. If that is the case I will probably just use Google or Yahoo.
Ah, maybe you just broke the code, they simply want more money.....
Tom

The free sites are supposed to be for "personal" use, I wonder if lots of small companies, home businesses, etc, are maybe using the free option and Verizon just wants to get rid of them? I just can't see any "security" issue here, but what do I know.......

__________________________________
Justin
FiOS TV, Internet, and phone user
QIP7232, IMG 1.8, Build 02.54
Keller, TX 76248

mikeveris

I see no way to maintain my site without FTP. The Sitebuilder doesn't even see my existing pages. My cable company's been looking to grab my landline business for years--looks like the last obstacle has been cleared if I can't figure out a way to make this work...

devjoe

Ditto. I looked at their sitebuilder thing and it is completely unusable. Not only is it absurdly limited (only HTML pages in a few predefined templates, and a few image types) but half the few features provided don't even work.

Examples:

There is a section for site add-on files, but going there only tells me I don't have any, and doesn't provide me any way to add anything. Anybody know if there is some way to make this feature work as a replacement for FTPing externally created files onto my site?
I selected a "blank page" in the sitebuilder and ended up with some sort of template with a site title, page title, heading, subheading, and content space. Fair enough. I was able to edit the page title in this template, but trying to edit the heading or subheading brought me to an editing box somewhat like the one for these forums -- except that the one for these forums works, while this one was always grayed out. I could select various font options with buttons above the box, but the box itself is always grayed out and never lets me start typing anything.

smith6612

If the Verizon web servers supported PHP, I could write a script to run as a PHP-based FTP Client that does not use FTP under the hood to transfer files to the server. Unfortunately they do not so there's no point in writing one up. For those in need of FTP access to manage their website, download the contents of your current site (if you don't already have a copy on your computer) before Verizon's cut-off date and move the files over to a Free Web Hosting company such as x10Hosting who will offer FTP indefinitely (since it's a core component of all web hosting). At least by moving off of the ISP hosting, you can switch ISPs if you ever do without worrying about your site's address changing or having to reupload files to another server.

By the way, I do help out over at x10 on my free time. Great company as a whole for what they offer, so definitely take a look at them.

tns

Ditto.

Site builder can even build a halfway decent Photo Album. So I have always built such seperately and updated my main page to connect to them.

Scott_AR

Well, this topic is what I was looking for. Verizon's Sitebuilder seems to basically be the Sesame Street approach to web site building. If I can't use my own software and upload it, the personal webspace is useless.

xcalibur4

I use my PERSONAL WEBSPACE to store pictures of items I sell on eBay....I wonder if I will be able to FTP these JPG files to my personal webspace ??

wolfedman2

I'm also confused about this. If we can't FTP, how are we to add content to the our personal web space?

blh4

The following webpage shows that FTP Access is available for an "Advanced" Domain.

http://surround.verizon.com/Shop/PopUps/VerizonYourDomainOptions.aspx

However, I called Tech Support, and was told that ALL personal webpages MUST be uploaded using Website Builder (their tool). Apparently, the FTP Access is for downloading a file. So it doesn't really matter HOW much money you pay them as a "person" (not a business), you will HAVE to use the Website Builder tool (horrible as it is).

So, we WILL have to move our websites. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good web hosting company?

Scott_AR

@blh wrote:
The following webpage shows that FTP Access is available for an "Advanced" Domain.
http://surround.verizon.com/Shop/PopUps/VerizonYourDomainOptions.aspx
However, I called Tech Support, and was told that ALL personal webpages MUST be uploaded using Website Builder (their tool). Apparently, the FTP Access is for downloading a file. So it doesn't really matter HOW much money you pay them as a "person" (not a business), you will HAVE to use the Website Builder tool (horrible as it is).
So, we WILL have to move our websites. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good web hosting company?

I helped people I know get sites on freehostia (which, as the name implies, is free for basic sites). It wasn't used for anything fancy--they had restaurants and basically wanted to post directions, menus, and the like. Never had any problems.

smith6612

Just do a search for web hosting and you'll find plenty of well-known web hosts. I suggested x10Hosting on the previous page. They do both Free and Paid as an FYI. Prices for features are loads better than what Verizon wishes to offer, the same goes with any other host.

Check these guys out though: http://www.x10hosting.com/

MrChris1

After more than an hour and a half of waiting, talking, being transferred 5 times, and no one at Verizon having any idea of this issue, it seems like I'll have to find a new provider to host my photos & miniscule personal web site. Way to go to lose customers, Verizon!

virtualbob

heh -- lots of first time posters here, including myself.

agree with what "devjoe" says in msg #5. Site builder not user friendly, at all. Why can't I paste my html into a blank page ???

BAD change for verizon internet service.

Scott_AR

You just have to love the corporate doublespeak: it's part of "enhancements to the online customer experience."

Only a marketing person could describe the removal of a feature as an "enhancement."

MrChris1

A couple of comments.

1. Verizon themselves seem to be clueless regarding this 'issue'

2. Per the scam email comment, I looked at the IP it came from, and it's not coming from Verizon (all of their replies to my inquiry did come from Verizon).

3. Unless I hear an official response, either by email, or by an employee on this forum, it looks like I'll be going to IPOWER.com.

Scott_AR

@MrChris wrote:
1. Verizon themselves seem to be clueless regarding this 'issue'

I don't think so. My guess is that this is purely cost-benefit. They probably dropped or reassigned employees who were maintaining the FTP servers, thus saving those salaries, and were fairly certain that though they might have unhappy customers, they wouldn't lose any over the issue. Very few companies care about making customers happy if it doesn't directly translate into revenue.

RobHamm412

I think Verizon has got caught with some security hacking or Intuit, who manages Verizon servers has a security problem. I manage both a personal and business account thru Verizon and tech support told me there will be no FTP's after 8-21-2011 for either type. Guess I'm screwed. I'll probably have to move to GoDaddy or someone like that. Pisssssed

cayz

All,

I think if we want to be heard on this issue, we need to have a combined effort, instead of having multiple, smaller threads. One thread with 30-50 messages is more likely to be "listened to" than 3 threads with 10-15 each.

May I recommend that all users upset with this, and wanting to have further user input, post to the thread labeled "No More FTP?" in the General Residential Products and Services Forum
(http://forums.verizon.com/t5/General-Residential-Products-and/No-More-FTP/td-p/327795)

If you wish to discuss or add ideas for an FTP substitute I would suggest voting for / commenting on
"Discontinued FTP service substitute " in the Share Your Ideas forum
(http://forums.verizon.com/t5/Share-Your-Ideas-with-Verizon/Discontinued-FTP-service-substitute/idi-p/328453 )

United We Stand (and Be Heard)

James

nkplt

I have been posting on the broadband forums to Verizon users there as well. This is a very bad decision by Verizon. What is worse is that Verizon says they care about our business bu they don't even take the time to inform their agents. I spent hours last night trying to get an answer only to be told they were clueless to the issue. I was directed to a couple different phone numbers, several people and lots of waiting on hold. No results. I have also been trying to access this so called web site builder only to find it won't connect. I was told by another agent that they did something that is causing the problem. This is what this agent said via live chat

Some upgrade, unable to access since 8 pm last night

If they continue with this sort of service I don't know what I will do but I don't want to lose my web site.

jimfo1

I got email from Verizon stating: "For security reasons, Verizon will no longer allow users to FTP their HTML files to the personal web site Verizon offers".

I am puzzled by this - What "security reasons" will this solve? Virtually ever $5 web host allows FTP access. How can they deal with these security issues but Verizon can't?

I don't think security has anything to do with it, but I'll give Verizon the benefit of the doubt. So, can anyone tell me - Is Verizon's reason just a feeble PR attempt (i.e. bald-faced lie) at calming customer fury, or are there really security issues that they can't deal with?

tns

Also everyone vote on suggestion asing for a replacement for the soon to be discontinued FTP service

http://forums.verizon.com/t5/Share-Your-Ideas-with-Verizon/Discontinued-FTP-service-substitute/idi-p/328453

pnew122

Hoping not to blow a head gasket here, buthinking I might. Have paid years for extra web space, and uploaded what I needed. I left Crimecast for DirecTv and tht total package here, but this will be the last straw messing with my web space and uploads. Crimecast even gace you 200 KB for free, and 100 times faster than my currect DSL, which is all I can get. Will be calling tomorrow, and have sent an e-mail, but got a feeling I will be **bleep** when this is over.

wrhimes1

After talking to Customer Service and Tech Support, Yes they are disabling FTP for the personal web sites. This is being painted as a "security enhancement" but if you pay $6 a month it is no longer a security risk? I think is is probably a means of cutting cost cutting by reducing DASD use. If you make a service inconvenient then people will stop using it. What a shame, and I have been so satisfied with Verizon prior to now, but I just don't appreciate being treated as if I am stupid.

nkplt

I have tried to connect to site builder since last weekend and cannot connect. I am on a Mac using the lastet browser. Is anyone else having trouble connecting to site builder? I wanted to see how bad it really is since I soon will not be able to ftp to my web site. I tried to call Verizon support but absolutely no one has a clue what I am talking about. Some great tech support. I spent two hours plus on two different occasions and all I got was run around. The last person they connect me to hung up on me! So I am hoping that someone in this forum can help me out.

Thanks Smiley Mad

somegirl

@nkplt wrote:
I have tried to connect to site builder since last weekend and cannot connect. I am on a Mac using the lastet browser. Is anyone else having trouble connecting to site builder? I wanted to see how bad it really is since I soon will not be able to ftp to my web site. I tried to call Verizon support but absolutely no one has a clue what I am talking about. Some great tech support. I spent two hours plus on two different occasions and all I got was run around. The last person they connect me to hung up on me! So I am hoping that someone in this forum can help me out.
Thanks

I'd bet money you're using Safari. Sitebuilder opens in a new window, and Safari doesn't seem to be able to open it (neither can Chrome). This is just another reason on the long list of why getting rid of FTP is a terrible idea.

jimfo1

Question: What will happen to my existing personal website (downloaded via FTP) after Aug. 21? Will Verizon remove it? Will I be able to modify or delete the pages using the Site Builder? I tried, but I couldn't find my HTML pages with Site Builder. When I get a new host, I would like to be able to post pages with links "Site move to...".

nkplt

nkplt wrote:

Thanks

somegirl wrote:

nkplt answer:

Yep! You are right but I also tried Firefox and that did the same thing. So today I signed on at work on a Windows machine and guess what, it did not work there either. I think Verizon has really dropped the ball here and they are going to get a lot of flack from customers. The sad part is that I really like Verizon fios, at least up until now. I guess I will keep trying until it gets close to the 21st deadline and then I will pull my web site down and go somewhere else for a web page. This will definately be a black eye for Fios in my opinion and it will make me stop recommending people going to Fios. It just seems like the big companies don't care anymore. Just hand over the money and don't complain!

nkplt

Well guess what folks. I was reading where another user said he had to use his primary account so I tried what I thought was my secondary account. Turns out it was the primary account after all and all of a sudden I can now access site builder. Why on earth does Verizon not put that in a faq! Man all this time wasted. As a footnote to all Mac users out there, sorry but Sarfari will not work with site builder, I have no idea why but Firefox (at least this version 5.0.1) will open site builder and allow you to edit your website. Now I find I am at my maximum 10 mb (small in todays world but that is life for free) so I will have to delete some of my old website for now so I can try to see how this sitebuilder works and if it is as bad as everyone says it is. I guess I will find out and report back. By the way, I had to sign in to add to this forum in my secondary account because that is where I started. Sorry for the wordy reply. Smiley Surprised

tenor2

This is really a shame. I don't care to use there slow web upload. FTP worked fine. Didn't find out about this until after the fact. Now I can't get all of my files back. This is not good business.

smith6612

@tenor wrote:
This is really a shame. I don't care to use there slow web upload. FTP worked fine. Didn't find out about this until after the fact. Now I can't get all of my files back. This is not good business.

Don't you have a copy of your website stored on your hard drive somewhere? If not, you'll have to spider your site to retrieve your content and also remember paths to any hidden files if Verizon doesn't release a method to download your account's data.

jhhorwitz

It's worse than not getting your files back: I don't think you have a way to delete the files already there--SiteBuilder doesn't provide access as far as I could tell. So they are stuck there, using up your "valuable" (ha, ha, ha,...) Verizon web space.

RMchief

I am so ticked off right now I could strangle someone at Verizon. I dowloaded my data from the "free" webpage but the sight still remains. There is no way to connect to it since it was associated with the FTP server protocol. I have tried for hours and hours to find some way to unpublsih the site. I spent an hour and a half last Friday with one of their tech support guys who did a remote access to my PC and after all that HE gave up and told me to wait 48 hours for the main server to update. What a crock of *&^%.

Nothing happened. They sent me an email and said to use the Home Assist or some crap like that but it will not download. They also gave me a support link that was for FIOS. I DONT EVEN HAVE FIOS!!!.

Now I have people contacting me that my site is unresponsive and has not been updated for over a week. It is a weather site and with no updates it is useless.

I am so sorry I ever worked for that lousy company. At least I got my retirement so now I can tell them where to go.

Do I sound upset? That does not come close to describing it. !!!

Tedm2

Isnt that peachy. I have been fighting verizon now for a week. Answer I get when I want to delete some info on my site is SORRY!. Its locked and you cant touch it. Aint that just great. Just remember. Verizon isnt the only service out there.

Tedm2

I can still see my files by using Cuteftp. But cant delete or do anything with them. However I can still download them. You might try that.

jespat1

I cannot access Site Builder.

up_the_creek

GoDaddy!

or check the list at http://www.websitehosting.com/

df034381

Just posted:

http://forums.verizon.com/t5/FiOS-Internet/Info-on-Deleting-FTP-Files-from-Personal-Web-Space/td-p/351015

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