Does this error message look familiar? If so, perhaps you’re locked out of your WordPress blog like I was this morning.
I could browse around just fine on my blog itself. However when I tried to do anything else I got this error message:
Error 403
We’re sorry, but we could not fulfill your request for /wp-admin/moderation.php (requested file changes based on task) on this server.
Your Internet Protocol address is listed on a blacklist of addresses involved in malicious or illegal activity. See the listing below for more details on specific blacklists and removal procedures.
Your technical support key is: 4428-b779-1366-73cd
You can use this key to fix this problem yourself.
If you are unable to fix the problem yourself, please contact dawudmiracle at gmail.com and be sure to provide the technical support key shown above.
Didn’t matter what I tried – comments, add post, delete spam, even update my profile – nothing worked. So I tried logging out and back in only to find out that I couldn’t log back in.
After a bit of frustration I found the error related to the Bad Behavior plugin. Here’s what Michael Hampton, BB’s developer said:
…Yesterday I moved all of my sites to a new dedicated server. In the process, I decommissioned an old blacklist I was running which I thought wasn't being used, not realizing that Bad Behavior was still set to use it. Shortly afterward, I found myself locked out of my own blog, just as you all did. So therefore, this release.
So if you use Bad Behavior, you probably want to upgrade immediately (link begins download).
To upgrade the plugin simply do the following:
- Download the latest version of Bad Behavior (2.0.11)
- Unzip the download
- Create an FTP connect to your WordPress plugins folder (wp-content/plugins/)
- Upload the entire Bad Behavior folder into your plugins folder, overwriting the one that’s currenly there.
- Try logging back into your WordPress admin
This should be fixed. It certainly worked for me. Just to be clear, I could browse my blog just fine. I just couldn’t do anything on it.
And…thanks to Joanna Young from BusinessBlogAngel for first bringing this error to my attention when she tried to leave a comment. Joanna, and everyone else, the issue is resolved so please join back in the conversation.
You saved my butt!
Thanks Dawud, I got those errors and thought my computer had got infected and started spreading viruses, even though it’s a Mac! I’ve had an antivirus scan running on it all day and I disabled Bad Behaviour from my plugins straightaway. I’m glad it’s not my, or my computer’s fault and thanks very much for pointing out the update! I would probably have just not re-activated Bad Behaviour and had to deal with more spam.
What does the plugin do? I’ve never heard of it.
Phil,
Glad to help. I was close to disabling all plugins.
Douglas,
Glad I could help
Jean,
It’s a great comment spam manager. I use it with Akismet and SpamKarma2.
Thanks Dawud. You increased my knowledge. I didn’t know something like this happens and there is even a pluggin for that bad behavior.
Living Room,
Absolutely…that’s why I’m here.
Laser,
You’re welcome. BB has been a great plugin. I’m just happy that the author fixed what was happening.
Hi Dawud, thanks for this explanation. I was a little bit alarmed when I got the error msg accusing me of malicious activity yesterday! I’ll go back and post my comment on your other piece now.
Joanna
PS Thanks also for working out my split identity!
This writeup is informative. Atleast those who didnt know such error upon reading this will be knowledgable enough to avoid the complication that it would cause.
Joanna,
I can imagine what you experienced since I experienced the same thing. I wouldn’t say panic, but I sure wasn’t pleased that I was locked out of my own blog.
paulette,
I love WordPress. And from time to time we run into plugins that break some part of WordPres. If you ever have issues in WordPress, plugins are the first place to look.
Dawud,
Thanks for sending me an email letting me know I was back in. I was very worried to see I had been black listed. I’m relieved to hear that it wasn’t personal.
Alex
I could not post my comments yesterday and I have now done on your post of yesterdays. Glad that this has been sorted out.
Very glad I’ve read this post.
Have not encountered the error message yet but I’ll upgrade the bad behavior plugin right away.
Home Recording,
Me too. Thanks for hanging in there.
Advice Network,
I couldn’t let that happen to you. I’m just glad your comment prompted me looking further into it. Thanks.
Zazsis,
Good idea. I know some that have encountered it and others that haven’t. Better to be safe, than sorry.
I try to donwnload from http://www.bad-behavior.ioerror.us/2007/12/06/bad-behavior-2011/ but it keep failed (time out) can anybody give me another link?
Please contact me..
Rio,
Link worked for me.
Thanks Dawud for sharing. I personaley do not use plug-in for wordpress any more. I haver learn my lessoin ages ago. when a plag-in tried to take control of my site.