Getting 404 responses when I change my IP address

Question

Hello,

I'm building a project for my Master's Software Engineering program, which involves using Bing's mapping API to find and map specific locations based on given addresses. My program has a function which calculates distances from point A to point B based on the Haversine formula. Another function takes the shortest distance and associated address, maps that address, and posts a static map image to a chat channel.

I'm trying to test this functionality. When I don't change my IP via a VPN, it works fine and I can get responses from the API. When I change my IP address via a VPN, all I get from the Bing API is 404 responses and I can't see if my function actually works properly. In addition to me not knowing if my function is working, I'm worried that if other people in other provinces/countries try to use it, it won't work for them, which would ruin a good portion of my application's functionality. Is this a known problem? And how can I deal with it?

Thanks

Answer 1

Hi Josh,

Some VPN software can change the API call contents itself. I recommend using something like wireshark to see the changes your VPN is making to the call. Also the 404 should give you a reason for the rejection that might also be coming from the VPN or IP routing service itself and not even getting to Microsoft. Usually this is a firewall block imposed by the VPN software on Bing.com or VirtualEarth.net.

Note I can reproduce similar issues with NordVPN and their security turned on. Just try to calculate a route on Bing.com/maps with the VPN on and it will likely fail to find a route for the same reason.

Sincerely,
IoTGirl