fw_files directory (?)

Hello, @abigailm.

Yes, the file is from the CleanTalk plugin. It is needed for updating the SpamFireWall feature.
And it shouldn’t be located in the “wp-admin” folder.

Please, copy-paste your question here in our private Ticket System for further investigation:
https://cleantalk.org/my/support/open

We’ve made some fixes. You can use this fixed version:

https://github.com/CleanTalk/wordpress-antispam/releases/download/dev-version/cleantalk-spam-protect.zip

1. Go to WordPress Administrator Panel —> Plugins.

2. Find the plugin “Spam Protection by CleanTalk” —> Deactivate.

3. After the automatic page refreshing find the plugin again “Spam Protection by CleanTalk” —> Delete. Confirm “Yes, delete these files”.

4. Download the plugin archive from the link.

5. Go to Plugins —> Add New —> Upload Plugin.

6. Choose the downloaded archive and press “Install Now”.

7. After the installation, activate the plugin, make sure that the access key matches the key from your CleanTalk Control Panel.

Hello Wordfence just reported this error

Unknown file in WordPress core: wp-admin/fw_filesindex.php
Type: File

Should we delete this file ?
are you going to release an update to cleantalk which fixes and removes this file from the admin folder or we should follow your instructions above and do it manually ?

• This reply was modified 3 years, 2 months ago by raffi007.

You can delete the file. We will release an update within 2 weeks. But you can use the dev version now if you want

I have also just noticed this folder fw_files in my WP root directory. There is nothing in this folder, it is empty. Should I delete this folder manually or will the coming update resolve this?

You can delete it if you want. The next release should delete it after the update.

I had the same warning as @abigailm from WordFence: “Unknown file in WordPress core: wp-admin/fw_filesindex.php”. I also found the “fw_files” folder @catr noted above.

Per your directions I removed the “fw_filesindex.php” file as well as the “fw_files” folder.

I used the link to download the updated file. However your instructions say to “Find the plugin “Spam Protection by CleanTalk”. I do not have a plugin by that name.

I do have the paid plugin “Anti-Spam by CleanTalk”. Are they one in the same? Is it safe to deactivate and delete that plugin and install the new “CleanTalk-spam-protect” plugin file I downloaded?

TIA!

• This reply was modified 3 years, 2 months ago by richsadams. Reason: Typo

Hello, @richsadams.

Yes, this is the same plugin “Anti-Spam by CleanTalk”.
And yes, it is safe to re-install the plugin from the archive with fixes:
https://github.com/CleanTalk/wordpress-antispam/releases/download/dev-version/cleantalk-spam-protect.zip

Did it help you?

That does answer my questions @sergecleantalk.

Thanks very much for the fast reply!

Best wishes.

You are welcome, @richsadams!

Hello @richsadams @catr @raffi007

We’re working on it.
The patch we’ll be released along with new update 5.161 in a few days.

We’ll inform you.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 2 months ago by Safronik.

Hello,

Thank you for the feedback! We have fixed the problem.

Version should be 5.160.4-dev

Please, note that this version hasn’t been tested yet!

Please, reinstall the plugin. ( Download link: https://github.com/CleanTalk/wordpress-antispam/releases/download/dev-version/cleantalk-spam-protect.zip )

Here is an instruction you may find useful:

1. Go to the WordPress Administrator Panel —> Plugins.
2. Find the plugin “Anti-Spam Protection by CleanTalk” —> Deactivate.
3. After the automatic page refresh, find the plugin again “Anti-Spam Protection by CleanTalk” —> Delete. Confirm “Yes, delete these files”.
5. Go to Plugins —> Add New —> Upload Plugin.
4. Download the plugin archive from the link above.
6. Choose the downloaded archive and press “Install Now”.

Contact us if you have any questions.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 2 months ago by Safronik.

Looking forward to the update.

That leads me to one more question. Is there any negative effect to leaving the current version of the “Anti-Spam by CleanTalk” plugin active if we’ve manually removed the “fw_filesindex.php” file and the fw_files folder from the wp_admin folder?

IOW, will the plugin continue to work as-is without those two items?

I’d rather not install an untested update if it’s not necessary.

Thank you again!

Hi @richsadams
If you delete these files and directory manually, there will be no negative effect.
As for installing the dev version, you can wait for the next stable 5.161 release, it will be out soon and will contain all the fixes.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 2 months ago by katereji.

Thanks for the fast reply @katereji! Much appreciated.