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The "USE" Folder

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Lenard
2007-03-29
2013-06-03
  • Lenard

    Lenard - 2007-03-29

    Could you possibly tell me why, on my server, all of the forms was working great, then they stop working, then I notice the "use" folder was gone. I reloaded it and it worked and a day later, it's gone again. To this day, the "Use" folder keeps being gone for some reason while it was all working before. My ISP doesn't have a clue as to why it keeps coming up as missing/deleted/gone, whenever I reload it back to the server, and repeats itself-again, again, again and so on.
    Any help on this?

    Thanks
    Lenard

     
    • TNTEverett

      TNTEverett - 2007-03-29

      Take some simple security precautions.  It seems that someone is deleting your folders.  Probably because you have left them with default permissions such that anyone has access.  Here is what I do:
      1.) I create forms and test them using the folders as they are created using the generator.
      2.) I move the tested form to another folder keeping the form folder structure in tact (./formname/all folders below).
      3.) I create index files in all folders that do not already have one.
      4.) I modify permissions on all files and folders to have a minimum read only set for anyone else but me. 
      5.) I setup a .htaccess file in the admin folder. 
      6.) If I am using file upload, I create a separate folder for file storage that is outside the form folder structure. 
      7.) I move login names and passwords to a separate file (not process.php) located in the admin folder. 
      8.) I always backup my work. 

      When I am done using the generator I add a .htaccess file to that folder.  I will sometimes remove the generator folder structure entirely and put it back only when I need to create new forms. 

       
    • Shelia

      Shelia - 2007-03-31

      I am having the same problem with my "use" folder. I have a .htaccess file the phpform directory.  I'm stumped and so is my ISP.

      Any additional help is appreciated.

      Shelia

       
      • TNTEverett

        TNTEverett - 2007-03-31

        It is very difficult to help without any detail about your problem.  Maybe you have an .htaccess file that does nothing.  Take the perspective of a hacker and try to hack your own web site or form installation and then provide fixes based on what you find. 
        If you need specific help you will have to provide more information on the exact problem you are experiencing. 

         
    • Bullmax

      Bullmax - 2007-05-20

      I have the same problem.  Hope someone can figure it out.

       
      • TNTEverett

        TNTEverett - 2007-05-20

        Your best defense is a great offense.  Use the generator to create your forms then move them to another folder that does not require the same level of permissions that you are "instructed" to have for the generator to work.  Personally I only use the generator this way so anything lost is not an issue.  I also backup my site so that if I need to anything can be replaced with ease. 
        I have been using the generator for years and have never experienced this issue, or anything like it. 

         
        • Bullmax

          Bullmax - 2007-06-03

          Could it be because of this file?
          del_form.php

          This is the contents of that file:
          <?php
            include("global.inc.php");
            include("copyfunc.php");

            pt_register("GET","id");

            if ($id <= 0 ) {
              header("Location: index.php");
            } else {
              $dir_list = ls_a("use");
              deldir("use/" . $dir_list[($id-1)]);
              header("Refresh: 0; url=index.php");
            }

           
          • TNTEverett

            TNTEverett - 2007-06-03

            PHP files do not run on thier own.  Someone must take some action before a file can execute.  In the case of the del_form.php file, it also must take input from another form.  The input is the form number to delete.  Without this data input the file will do nothing. 

             
    • Bullmax

      Bullmax - 2007-06-07

      Since I deleted this file, my use folder has not been deleted.  Some other file or script must be doing it.  I suggest anyone having this problem to just delete the file.

       
      • TNTEverett

        TNTEverett - 2007-06-08

        Not very helpful to say "this file".  What is "this file"?

         
        • Bullmax

          Bullmax - 2007-06-09

          This is the file  del_form.php

           
          • TNTEverett

            TNTEverett - 2007-06-09

            This file is used by the phpFormGenerator home page.  The option is provided to delete previously created forms so that you don't build up files that are not used.  It only deletes forms that remain in the use/ folder this is why I recommend that finished form be moved to another location.  I also recommend that the phpFormGenerator be removed when no longer needed or password protected to prevent unauthorized use. 
            It is never recommended that files be deleted that are part of the phpFormGenerator program distribution.

             

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