I am a premium/paid user and having this same issue.
I wrote the premium support but hope to get an answer.
Here is what I wrote:
Ok, so I was trying to log in to a DIFFERENT site on the multisite than this one to install Clean Talk actually. I got the password wrong like 3 times in a row and then ALL the sites on the multisite started blocking my device/IP address.
I tried to whitelist my IP address on ALL SITES of mine but still won’t let me in unless I spoof my IP address with a VPN. This should be something I can QUICKLY resolve when it happens. Also, what happens when my clients somehow trip this issue and get locked out?
I tried Clean Talk a while back, felt it was too aggressive but thought that was due to international users. It has been on the shelf (even though I continued to pay) and now I am trying to deploy it again for clients. But I need more control over NOT locking myself or clients out.
Also, why don’t I show up on the log? I feel like this is a huge issue because if it is blocking my IP address, this should IMMEDIATELY show up on the log that this is happening and the IP address so I can check it/fix it if needed.
The concept of all of this is sound but I can’t have a tool on websites that doesn’t give ME control of who is getting locked out and telling me IMMEDIATELY if it is locking someone out, why, and how I can quickly unlock them if CleanTalk is making a mistake.
Thanks.
OK, so in my case, it was NOT CleanTalk’s fault. I had become the victim of a server level fail2ban instance which I was able to find and remove via the terminal/shell. (this was on a digital ocean wordpress multisite install).
So I apologize to CleanTalk and I am hoping the software does a good job of reducing/eliminating spam on my client’s sites.
Hello, @virgojoe
We are sorry you are having such problems.
You could use the Personal lists to add all IPs you want to whitelist, so they won’t be blocked for any reason. Read the guides, please: https://cleantalk.org/help/sfw-blacklist-usage and https://cleantalk.org/help/security-firewall
If you have any questions, please, contact us via https://cleantalk.org/my/support/open.
We will need to know your personal data to solve the issue of blocking any IPs.
Be well.
Hello, @greenrhyno
Thank you for your feedback.
We’re glad the issue has been resolved.
I hope spam won’t bother you ever again.