App won't connect? Spam issues?

[eXodus]

I'm having two major issues:

- Unable to open Internet connection via the app. Using the "latest" app version, I was previously logged in with no issue
- Recently I've been receiving a massive amount of automated spam calls. How can we block a number from within the app, I read you can with the Fongo app but not the FPL one? Is there a way to switch to using the fongo app instead?

[Liptonbrisk]

I'm having two major issues:

- Unable to open Internet connection via the app.

The Freephoneline desktop application for Windows?

I don't know what you mean by "unable to open internet connection". Do you mean "Test connection" fails? That test has always failed. It has never worked for me despite the app working fine for outbound and incoming calls.

Using the "latest" app version, I was previously logged in with no issue

Latest version? The Freephoneline desktop app hasn't been updated since 2013: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=8268.
The latest version is 3.2.7.0.

If you haven't updated the app recently, I'm uncertain what the significance is of mentioning "latest" is. Do you mean that FPL's desktop application is no longer working for you and that it once did? I would guess that you were using the same version previously. Are you unable to call?

Do you receive an error message?

Recently I've been receiving a massive amount of automated spam calls.

Coincidentally, I know people have been affected by the Shopper+ (12ink.ca and Prime Cables) data breach: https://forums.redflagdeals.com/shopper ... #p37449134.
The thread starts here: https://forums.redflagdeals.com/shopper ... h-2605813/.
There have been so many data breaches in general over the years, I'm surprised I'm not receiving increased spam calls. However, one of my email addresses was exposed, and now Bitcoin scammers are using it to spam people (I receive bounced emails I never sent to undeliverable email addresses, typically in my spam folder).

https://haveibeenpwned.com/ is a well known place to check to see whether you might be affected. Not all breaches are necessarily listed at that site.

How can we block a number from within the app

Click the four horizontal lines in the upper left of the app. Then select "Blacklist manager". Enter the number you want to block.

Is there a way to switch to using the fongo app instead?

Fongo Mobile?

You'd have to port your FPL number to Fongo Mobile. They're separate apps and separate accounts. Your FPL account would be closed and anything associated with it would be lost after porting.
https://support.freephoneline.ca/hc/en- ... Home-Phone

[Liptonbrisk]

Installation instructions can be found in my post here: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=19063&p=74810.

32 bit Java is required for the Freephoneline Desktop Application for Windows.

1. Run an anti-virus/anti-trojan/anti-malware scan on your computer.
2. Check to ensure there isn't a problem with your OS (based on the one listed in your profile): visit https://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/3 ... ml#option2. Run sfc /scannow from an elevated command prompt. Instructions are similar for Windows 10 and 11: visit https://www.majorgeeks.com/content/page ... annow.html.
3. Run windows update

For Windows 8,
a)Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings. (If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)
b)Tap or click Update and recovery, and then tap or click Windows Update.
c)Tap or click Check now.
d) Install updates

For Windows 7, visit https://www.wikihow.com/Check-for-Updates-for-Windows-7.
For Windows 10, visit https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/480 ... -10-a.html
For Windows 11, visit https://www.elevenforum.com/t/check-for ... ates.5058/

4. Download the free version of Revo Uninstaller: https://www.revouninstaller.com/start_f ... nload.html and install it.
5. Uninstall any previous Freephoneline installation using Revo Uninstaller. Backup your registry, and create a system restore point if given the option. (Select the "Safe scan" option) Scan for leftover traces of FPL (Freephoneline) in your registry using Revo Unistaller. Remove them. Uninstall Revo Uninstaller afterwards if you wish.
6. Reboot computer
7. Freephoneline uses Java, so ensure your 32 bit version of Java is up to date: https://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp. If you encounter Java errors, uninstall all versions of Java on your computer. Then install the latest 32 bit version of Java again.
8. Delete the Freephoneline installer file that you downloaded previously.
9. Download Freephonline desktop app again after logging in here: https://www.freephoneline.ca/downloadDesktopApplication
10. After downloading, temporarily disable any VPN clients you may be running on your computer.
11. Right click on the file you downloaded, and select "run as administrator"
12. Allow Freephoneline to install completely.

Keep in mind that it's possible for antivirus products to interfere with the installation of safe files.

If the desktop app successfully installs but you can't get it to run, try right clicking on it, and selecting "run as administrator"

[Liptonbrisk]

Related

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=20073

For the Freephoneline desktop app . . .

Make sure that you're not muting anything (microphone/speakers), and that you tested to ensure your mic is working before fiddling around with the app: http://win10faq.com/fix-microphone-settings/

And make sure you test incoming calls for 1-way audio issues before paying anything to FPL (you'll need a mic and headphones/speakers to test). Test on a computer that's connected to your router (without DMZ or port forwarding enabled). Should you encounter 1-way audio issues, look for a feature called SIP ALG in your router (you may need to call your ISP if you're using a modem/router combo) and disable that feature.

Steps i,ii, and iv below are for help dealing with 1-way audio issues with Freephoneline desktop application.


from http://forums.redflagdeals.com/fongo-at ... #p27011164

You can try the Freephoneline desktop app for free: https://www.freephoneline.ca/downloadDesktopApplication
It requires 32-bit Java to run. If you have problems installing the desktop app, visit http://forum.fongo.com/viewtopic.php?f= ... 63&p=74810.


A.Use winmtr https://sourceforge.net/projects/winmtr/

B. For Freephoneline.ca (based in Ontario), test to voip.freephoneline.ca (let winmtr ping about 100 times), voip2.freephoneline.ca, and voip4.freephoneline.ca. You can copy text to clipboard and paste your results (do not post your own IP public address though) and post them for others to examine if you want.

C. Look at the very last hop or line. Take a look at your average ping--and your maximum. You want those values to be relatively close.
You do not want high pings and lots of jitter (you do not want a lot of variation between each ping). If you get horrible results (pings over 200ms), you should probably avoid FPL.

I get between 11 (voip.freephoneline.ca and voip2.freephoneline.ca)-24ms (voip4.freephonline.ca) on average, depending on the server I'm testing to. Preferably, you want pings below 100ms.

Anything over 200ms is unacceptable.

What you don't want to see is 40, 45, 50, 35, 500, 40, 30, 45, 700. That's bad jitter.
You want relatively consistent pings without a lot of variation.

Try the free FPL desktop app first: https://www.freephoneline.ca/downloadDesktopApplication.

Make sure that you're not muting anything (microphone/speakers), and that you tested to ensure your mic is working before fiddling around with the app: http://win10faq.com/fix-microphone-settings/

And make sure you test incoming calls for 1-way audio issues. Test on a computer that's connected to your router (without DMZ or port forwarding enabled). Should you encounter 1-way audio issues, look for a feature called SIP ALG in your router (you may need to call your ISP if you're using a modem/router combo) and disable that feature.


i. Typically it's better to have your own router and to stick whatever modem/router combo your ISP gives you into bridge mode.

ii. Disable SIP ALG in your own router. Many modem/router combos that are issued by ISPs have faulty SIP ALG/SPI functions enabled, with no way to disable them. These features can mangle SIP headers. If you don't know how to disable SIP ALG, contact your router's brand or contact your ISP.

To understand why SIP ALG is often a serious headache visit https://www.voip-info.org/routers-sip-alg/ (scroll down to "SIP ALG Problems")

iii. Properly enable QoS in your router for your computer that's running the Freephoneline desktop app (and ensure no other programs are running on your computer that are hogging bandwidth while using the Freephoneline desktop app). Refer to your router's manual or contact your ISP if you were issued a modem/router combo from them (typically those routers suck and have horrible or absent QoS functions).

I'm not a huge fan of this website, but it suffices for an explanation of QoS: http://www.voipmechanic.com/qos-for-voip.htm
Avoid anything it says about the G.729


iv. If you still get one-way audio issues with the Freephoneline desktop app, you may need to port forward, which is a security risk (and not advisable).

The FPL desktop app uses ports 5060-5061,6060-6061,13000-13001 if you're going to port forward for the desktop app (you need to port forward to the LAN IP of the computer you're using. For most home networks the IP will begin 192.168.xxx.x). Refer to your router's manual to learn how to port forward (if your router came from your ISP, contact your ISP).

I would start just by port forwarding 13000-13001 only, which is for RTP (audio packets). If that still doesn't work, you can try adding 6060 or 6061. The most dangerous ports to forward are 5060-5061 and really shouldn't be necessary if you're forwarding 6060 or 6061 anyway. I guess if all else fails, forward all of them: 5060, 5061,6060, 6061,13000, and 13001.

These are all UDP ports.

5060, 5061, 6060, and 6061 should be alternate SIP ports.

Only port forward if all else fails (and only do it temporarily, since it's a security risk).

[eXodus]

- Yes the Windows App running version 3.2.7.0 and yes Java is installed.
- Windows 10 is up to date
- It was previously working a few weeks ago
- The error is from the windows app (see attachment).. This is on login. Can confirm this login does work (just logged into the FPL website with it).
- Confirming there it's not a firewall issue
- No VPN is active
- Ping is good (avg. 15ms)
- I can ping voip2.freephoneline.ca, voip4.freephoneline.ca quickly without issue.
- App is running as administrator
- I have tried repaired the app via the installer
- Spam is likely from the Shopper+ leak

My next step is to completely uninstall and reinstall the FPL app.

[Liptonbrisk]

-
-This is on login. Can confirm this login does work (just logged into the FPL website with it).

I've never seen that error before, but it's not a login credential issue. The app just appears to be blocked from internet access.

Are you prompted to choose a network adapter (bunch of options) upon login? Are you selecting the right one?

"You have more than one active IP address. Please choose one that Freephoneline will use to connect to the Internet.

Available hosts:"

And then host options (LAN IPs) should be available in a drop-down list. If you see that drop-down list, choose the IP that corresponds with your LAN IP address.


Try these 10 steps: https://support.ucsd.edu/services?id=kb ... =KB0033298.

Spam is likely from the Shopper+ leak

I'm really sorry. I'm going through similar hassles (but with an exposed email address).

My next step is to completely uninstall and reinstall the FPL app.

That would be my next suggestion: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=20571#p80713. Unfortunately, I'm uncertain what would be causing the error in your pic.

[Liptonbrisk]

Oh, do you have any any antivirus or security software installed that blocked the app?

Windows Firewall?
https://pureinfotech.com/allow-apps-fir ... indows-10/
You said it's not a firewall issue, but there's both NAT (hardware) router firewalls and software (security software firewalls).

I'm doubtful you would have made changes to your hardware firewall.
Antivirus and anti-malware products can also produce false positives and block safe apps.

[eXodus]

I disabled antivirus + firewall, Windows firewall is already disabled. I've even disabled the router firewall. Still same issue.

[Liptonbrisk]

Other than flushing dns/these suggestions, I'm not sure what would be causing that then: https://support.ucsd.edu/services?id=kb ... =KB0033298.
Actually, the fact that you can ping servers makes that exercise pointless . . .


I have the the FPL app installed on three PCs. I've never seen that error.

SIP ALG in routers can cause SIP registration to fail, but even then you should be able to get past the login screen.

I'm not sure what would be causing that error in your case.

[Liptonbrisk]

I thought a server might be down, but I'm able to log out and log back in to the FPL desktop app using different FPL accounts.

I don't have any other suggestions at the moment.

[eXodus]

Still the same issue after reinstalling, tried on another computer on a different connection weeks later and the same issue. No support from Fongo it seems unfortunately.

[Liptonbrisk]

I am unable to reproduce this problem on three different PCs (actually 5, if I include another location in a different province). In fact, I've never see that error before, until just now by dropping by my WAN connection on purpose in attempt to see whether I could reproduce getting that error message.

I'm sure blocking ports (UDP 6060, UDP 5060) or Fibernetics IPs (208.65.240.44 and possibly 162.213.111.7x) would accomplish the same thing.

Testing without any router in use is a possibility (along with bridge mode if a modem/router combo, gateway, or hub was issued by your ISP) , but I wouldn't recommend connecting a Windows PC directly to a modem without any protection.

Unfortunately, Fongo support staff hasn't offered free technical support for the desktop application in years.

[Jake]

If you have tried on a different computer @eXodus, then it would suggest to me an issue with the account. I know you mentioned that you could log into the website with it, but I don't think that will indicate if there is an issue elsewhere.

It's been a very long time since I played around with that app, and I don't really want to start again to test, but if I was you I would create a brand new account and see if that works. That will prove your computer and network if nothing else.

[Liptonbrisk]

If you have tried on a different computer @eXodus, then it would suggest to me an issue with the account. I know you mentioned that you could log into the website with it, but I don't think that will indicate if there is an issue elsewhere.

Jake makes an interesting and good point. The error message from the app is misleading if the problem is account related, and the only way I can get the same error message is by dropping my WAN connection.

If a shared router/ISP issue is preventing connectivity to any related Fibernetics IP that the app uses, then the situation suddenly makes sense.


If it turns out that the problem is an account issue, then submit a ticket: https://support.fongo.com/hc/en-us/requests/new. Choose "My Account Inquiry" for the issue type.
You can check your ticket status by logging in at https://support.fongo.com/hc/en-us/requests That's an account for tickets (zendesk) only and is completely separate from your Freephoneline account. Use the same email address that you use to submit tickets.

Support staff does not respond to tickets on weekends or holidays. Support hours are 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. EST.

Visit https://status.fongo.com/.
If "Support System" indicates "Degraded Performance", ticket response time can take up to a week.

An account block shouldn't occur from using the Freephone desktop application, and the block wouldn't be for trying to abuse VoIP unlock key credentials when using the FPL desktop app by itself.
https://support.freephoneline.ca/hc/en- ... is-Blocked

If the account were deleted, I wouldn't expect a user to be able to login to it.
https://support.freephoneline.ca/hc/en- ... t-deleted-

Because the desktop app was involved, the possibility of an account block, suspension, or some other account issue didn't occur to me since logging in to the website is possible.

@eXodus if your account is blocked and you discover the reason why, I would appreciate learning the reason if it's not too much trouble.

[Liptonbrisk]

Still the same issue after reinstalling, tried on another computer on a different connection weeks later and the same issue. No support from Fongo it seems unfortunately.

What happens if you purposely enter the wrong username and password into the app?

Your answer will determine whether the app is actually receiving internet connectivity.

Does the error message, "Wrong Username or password!" appear?
If so, the problem isn't firewall or internet related; the problem would likely be what Jake mentioned.
I have no idea why your account would be blocked then (or if there's some other account issue) since you're using the desktop application.

[eXodus]

I've ruled out my ISP, Router, Computer. Logging in via web works, using the SIP/VoIP unlock credentials works on a third party iOS app.

I tried entering a invalid email/pass on the app and got the same error about Unable to open Internet Connection.

Filing a ticket now to see if customer support can give some better insight. Then got this back, seems like there's zero support now?

Hello Fongo,

We have received your FreePhoneLine support request.

Please note, we no longer provide support for FreePhoneLine. However, there is an active community that provides support to fellow FreePhoneLine users for all matters ranging from the desktop app to configuring your own ATA (with the VoIP unlock key). You can check it out by visiting: http://fongo.help/fpl

If you are interesting in Fongo Home Phone (including customer support), please visit http://www.fongo.com/home-phone or call 1-855-553-6646 to talk to our Fongo Home Phone representatives.

[Liptonbrisk]

I tried entering a invalid email/pass on the app and got the same error about Unable to open Internet Connection.
using the SIP/VoIP unlock credentials works on a third party iOS app

Then the app clearly isn't able to connect to Freephoneline's server for you. The error message you're receiving isn't due a blocked account.

Given the app worked in the past for you and hasn't changed since 2013, clearly something else did that's the source of the problem for you, and whatever that change is, it's unrelated to the app itself.

Then got this back, seems like there's zero support now?

That is correct for the desktop app, yes, and it's also true for anything that is not account or billing related.

fpldesktop.jpg (94.4 KiB) Viewed 487 times

In my router's web UI, I am able to see PCs running Freephoneline's desktop app connecting to Fibernetics IP addresses.

The desktop app works for me on multiple PCs in different provinces.

To ensure the installer still works (is still valid), I uninstalled the app, re-downloaded it, and installed it again.

java.JPG (27.58 KiB) Viewed 488 times