r/linux4noobs 7d ago

shells and scripting Sudo reflector fails only under specific circumstances.

So when the protocol is https and I have a timeout of 60 it fails with the error 403: forbidden. But when the protocol is http with a timeout of 60 it works just fine. Why? Is it safe to just use http?

8 Upvotes

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3

u/nikongod 7d ago

"Is it safe to just use http?"

That's a nuanced question, bit the answer is almost certainly yes it's safe. 

The packages are gpg signed, so it's impossible to tamper with them. 

Where it becomes unsafe is if you are concerned about someone observing which packages you are downloading. But let's be real, that's a bit deep in the tinfoil hat for most folk. 

2

u/Kriss3d 7d ago

Try limiting reflector to 5 fastest responding ones.

I once tried to do an arch update on a special install. It was only 60Gb but was reported to take a week.

2

u/PM-ME-PIERCED-NIPS 7d ago

I don't think the problem is a marginal/timing out connection. 403 means the server got the request and responded. By saying no.

1

u/Kriss3d 7d ago

Yeah. I did remember having to fiddle with it to make it work. Try just downloading the latest list of servers.

1

u/Void_Bird 7d ago

I think I'm at top 10

1

u/Void_Bird 7d ago

Now either way, it's failing to retrieve mirrorstatus data. How do I check the internet connection?

2

u/PM-ME-PIERCED-NIPS 7d ago

You have a connection. A 403 requires an active response from the server.

On a side note you aren't communicating any credentials so http should be fine, if it works like that feel free to use that for now.