Have a WordPress Site? Ignore This at Your Own Peril!

I sat here for some time trying to determine a headline that would get folks to read this very important post. I chose the title that I did because it states exactly what I want to get across — if you have a WordPress site, you need to read this post, follow the links within and act — now!

Some think these sort of scare tactics are more of a marketing ploy. That’s not the way I wired nor am I trying to be a marketer extraordinaire and sell you something.

Well, that’s not entirely true … I am trying to “sell” you on something …

THE IMPORTANCE OF
UPDATING AND BACKING UP!

• When you know the software you are using, whether it be on your desktop or on your Web site — as in the case of WordPress, has come out with a new update — update! Not doing so can cause major problems if the fixes covered in the update are not in place on your site. As is the case with WordPress 2.8.4 which I typed about here on August 26th.
• Backup your Web site data, files, databases at least once a month — more is even better! If your server has problems (it is your responsibility to backup your Web site in its entirety — not your hosting company’s duty to do so) or your site is hacked, you will need these backups to restore your site. Don’t have backups? You’ll be starting from scratch — not fun!

Over the past Labor Day holiday weekend, hackers kept themselves busy (I guess they didn’t get invited to any picnics) exploiting a security flaw in WordPress 2.8 that an updated to 2.8.4 would have resolved. Those who didn’t update and ignored that pale yellow “nag” warning at the top of the Admin screen that every user sees when they log in, are scrambling today.

I am hearing reports of entire sites lost, porn links inserted and even more benign types of things that at the very least may cause Google to put a warning (“This site may harm your computer.”) on your Google listing that doesn’t allow visitors to follow that link to go to your site.

The small effort it takes to backup and update your WordPress site is a small price to pay to avoid any unnecessary headaches, downtime and/or lost business. Just ask some of the folks whose sites were compromised this past weekend …

At your service,
Judith

Tags: wordpress tips

4 Responses to “Have a WordPress Site? Ignore This at Your Own Peril!”

1. Ginger says:

   September 23, 2009 at 4:36 am

   You’re right… updating your sites while in a panic, hoping to avoid something like this is so easily avoided. Of course, that’s always when something goes wrong, when you’re rushing. I updated over 20 blogs this last go-around, only ran into one snag. I was able to figure it out because I back up and update regularly. There’s always a new trick or two to learn ;)
   .-= Ginger´s last blog … Updating WordPress Tips and Tricks =-.
2. Judith says:

   September 23, 2009 at 9:15 am

   Hey, Ginger:

   Thanks for stopping by! Panic mode is definitely not where you want to find yourself. Being backing up and updating is relatively easy with WordPress I have a hard time understanding why so many simply ignore doing so. Backups are one of the things in life that you hope you never need — but when you do, they are a godsend! ;-)
3. Dr. Laraine says:

   September 30, 2009 at 12:13 am

   What an interesting design you have put together. On backups: I am using a plugin called “Database Backup” which makes database backups of my blog and sends it to my email automatically. In your opinion, are automated backups adequate, or perhaps the superior method? Thanks for the post.
   .-= Dr. Laraine´s last blog … Employ Your Imagination – Give it Room to Wander =-.
4. Judith says:

   September 30, 2009 at 11:20 am

   Hey, Dr. Laraine:

   Thanks for stopping by!

   My design is part of the Elegant Themes collection. I change my theme every time I find one that “zings me” from Premium Theme developers that I trust! ;-)

   As far as as backups, what you are doing is best. The biggest problem with backing up is not remembering or taking the time to do so! So to have automatic backups happen on predetermined schedule really is the way to go.