5 Reasons Why Regular WordPress Updates Are Key to Site Security

4 Jul 2024 | CloudHost.One, Security, WordPress

Introduction

WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) that powers millions of websites across the globe. It offers a wide range of themes and plugins that allow users to customize their websites and add various functionalities. However, it’s crucial to ensure that these themes and plugins are regularly updated to maintain website security.

In this article, we will explore the importance of keeping WordPress themes and plugins up-to-date to safeguard your website from potential vulnerabilities.

1. Performance Improvement

Regular updates play a crucial role in enhancing the performance of WordPress websites. Here’s how:

Optimized Code

Updates often include optimizations to the code of themes and plugins, resulting in improved efficiency and faster loading times.

Improved Compatibility

Updated themes and plugins are more likely to be compatible with the latest web technologies and standards, which can positively impact website speed and performance.

Outdated themes and plugins can significantly hinder website speed and loading times. This is due to:

  • Outdated software may contain inefficient or obsolete code that slows down website performance.
  • As web technologies evolve, outdated themes and plugins may struggle to work seamlessly with newer components, leading to slower website speed.

By staying updated with the latest versions of themes and plugins, website owners can ensure their sites run smoothly and efficiently, providing a better experience for visitors while also potentially improving search engine rankings through enhanced performance.

2. Enhanced User Experience

Regular updates are essential for improving the user experience (UX) of a WordPress website. Here’s why:

Improved Functionality

Regular updates ensure that themes and plugins have the latest features and improvements, making the user experience smooth and efficient.

Responsive Design

Updated themes and plugins are usually optimized for responsive design, making sure that websites look good and work well on different devices and screen sizes. This means users can easily access the site from desktops, tablets, or smartphones without any problems.

Consistent Performance

By staying updated, website owners can provide visitors with a consistent and reliable browsing experience. Outdated themes and plugins may cause compatibility issues or display errors, which can frustrate users.

Enhanced Accessibility

Regular updates often include improvements to make websites more accessible for all users, including those with disabilities. This ensures that everyone can navigate and use the site effectively.

Streamlined Navigation

Updates may introduce enhancements that improve website navigation, making it easier for users to find what they’re looking for. This ultimately enhances their overall experience on the site.

With these benefits in mind, it’s clear that regular updates are crucial not just for security but also for delivering a positive user experience.

3. Strengthened Security Measures

When it comes to website security, regular updates play a crucial role in strengthening the security measures of your WordPress site. Here are a couple of important points to consider:

  • The connection between regular updates and enhanced website security: Regularly updating your WordPress themes and plugins is essential because it ensures that you have the latest security patches and fixes. These updates are designed to address any vulnerabilities or weaknesses that may exist in the software. By staying up-to-date, you minimize the risk of potential security breaches and unauthorized access to your site.
  • Common vulnerabilities in outdated software: Outdated themes and plugins can become easy targets for hackers and malicious actors. As technology advances, new threats emerge, and developers work diligently to address them through updates. When you neglect updating your themes and plugins, you leave your site exposed to known vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. These vulnerabilities can lead to data breaches, loss of control over your website, or even compromise the sensitive information of your users.

To illustrate the importance of regular updates for security, let’s consider an example: Imagine you have a WordPress plugin installed on your site that hasn’t been updated for several months. During that time, a security vulnerability is discovered in the plugin’s code. Hackers become aware of this vulnerability and start exploiting it on websites where the plugin is outdated. However, if you regularly update your plugins, you would receive the patched version as soon as it becomes available, effectively closing off any potential points of attack.

By prioritizing regular updates for your WordPress themes and plugins, you actively take steps towards safeguarding your website against potential security risks. Remember, staying up-to-date helps protect not only your own data but also the trust and privacy of your visitors.

4. Benefits of Updates

Regular updates for WordPress themes and plugins offer several significant benefits that contribute to the smooth operation and optimal performance of your website. Let’s explore some of these advantages:

4.1 Addressing Bugs and Glitches

Updates play a crucial role in addressing bugs and glitches that may exist in themes and plugins. Developers constantly work on improving their products and release updates to fix any issues that are identified. By regularly updating your WordPress software, you can ensure a more stable and error-free experience for your users.

4.2 Compatibility Enhancements

Another key benefit of updates is the enhancement of compatibility between different components of your website. As technology evolves, new devices, browsers, and operating systems emerge, each with its own set of requirements. Regular updates help ensure that your themes and plugins remain compatible with the latest technologies, allowing your website to function seamlessly across various devices and browsers.

For instance, an update to a responsive theme can optimize your website’s layout for mobile devices, making it more user-friendly for visitors accessing your site from smartphones or tablets.

4.3 Improved Performance

By keeping your themes and plugins updated, you can also enjoy improved performance for your website. Outdated software may have compatibility issues or inefficient coding that can slow down your site’s loading speed. This can negatively impact user experience and even lead to higher bounce rates.

On the other hand, regular updates often include performance optimizations that help streamline code, reduce resource usage, and improve overall website speed. These optimizations not only enhance user experience but also contribute to better search engine rankings.

In addition to these benefits, staying up-to-date with WordPress updates ensures that you have access to the latest features and functionalities offered by theme and plugin developers. It also helps protect your website from potential security vulnerabilities.

Effective WordPress version management is a key aspect of website management. By prioritizing updates, you can ensure that your WordPress site remains secure, performs optimally, and provides an excellent user experience. However, it’s important to handle updates properly. Before performing any updates, make sure to backup your website to safeguard against any unforeseen issues that may arise during the update process.

5. Vulnerability Patching

Regular updates play a critical role in patching vulnerabilities in WordPress themes and plugins, which helps ensure the security of your website. Here are some key points to consider:

  • Patching Vulnerabilities: Routine updates include security patches that address vulnerabilities in themes and plugins. Vulnerabilities are flaws in software that can be exploited by hackers to gain unauthorized access or control over your website. By regularly updating your WordPress themes and plugins, you stay ahead of potential security threats and reduce the risk of a breach.
  • Preventing Unauthorized Access: Staying up-to-date with updates is crucial for preventing unauthorized access and control of your website. Outdated software often contains known vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers. By installing the latest updates, you ensure that these vulnerabilities are patched, making it harder for unauthorized individuals to compromise your site.
  • Protecting Sensitive Data: Vulnerabilities in outdated themes and plugins can lead to data breaches or loss of control over your website. Attackers may exploit these vulnerabilities to gain access to sensitive customer information, financial data, or even take complete control of your site. Regularly updating your WordPress themes and plugins helps protect against these risks, safeguarding both your data and your users’ information.

Ensuring that you install updates promptly is essential for maintaining the security of your WordPress site. By staying up-to-date with the latest patches and fixes, you minimize the chances of falling victim to security breaches or losing control over your website.

“Regularly updating your WordPress themes and plugins helps protect against these risks, safeguarding both your data and your users’ information.”

With vulnerability patching being a crucial aspect of WordPress security, it’s essential to prioritize regular updates to keep your site protected.

The Risks of Neglecting Updates in WordPress Security

Neglecting updates for WordPress themes and plugins can pose significant risks to the security and performance of your website. Here are some key points to consider:

By neglecting updates, you expose your website to these risks, potentially compromising its security, performance, and overall success. It’s crucial to prioritize regular updates for your WordPress themes and plugins to mitigate these potential issues.

Conclusion

Regular WordPress updates are essential for maintaining the performance, user experience, and security of your website. By prioritizing these updates, you can ensure that your website operates seamlessly and remains protected against potential threats.

Managing updates doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With hosting providers like CloudHost.One, regular updates are included in most plans. This means your WordPress themes and plugins will be automatically updated without any extra effort from you.

Being proactive with updates not only protects your site from vulnerabilities but also improves user experience and helps maintain traffic and revenue. Regular updates are a proactive way to keep your WordPress site healthy and secure.

Are you 2020-ready?

30 Dec 2019 | Business, Company News, Computer Repair, Web Hosting, WordPress

Is your

ready for 2020?

As we come to a new year, posts are starting to appear online touting a ‘new year, new me'. Resolutions, promises, goals, diets, and all that jazz.

Why should January 1st be any better than any other day to start being the best you?

That's not the point of this post though. It's a not a Victor Meldrew-esque rant, but a reminder of some of the other things you may want to ensure are in good shape for the start of a new decade (though I recognise this is also a topic for debate since, if the first year was 1, then the second decade starting in year 11…. follow the logic and the ‘new decade' starts next year. Procrastinators rejoice! You can be a lazy slob for another year and roll out the new you for the start of the decade in 12 months time – thank me later). I'm not really into the whole new year resolution thing (can you tell?) but maybe if I was, it should be to stay more focussed mid-post. Or even just mid-sentence, or mid- what were we talking about again? 

Is your Computer or Laptop 2020-ready?

They get slower with age. Computers that is. As they accumulate all that data and knowledge that you have gleaned over time, things slow down a little. The little man inside your computer says “ah, he likes this website so I'll keep some information on here so he can find it easily next time”, which is all well and good but it happens every time. And then there's the software you no longer use and the bank statement that you downloaded ten times, and the photos you stored in three different places….

You take your car for a service and MOT every year, right? Maybe clear the loft out occasionally (or at least rearrange the Christmas decs when putting them back)? Why not your PC or Laptop? It needs a HealthCheck every so often, removing the rubbish so that there's more space (and hopefully speed) for the things that matter to you.

The other thing about Computers is that they do stop working one day. It's inevitable. The hard drive may stop working, or the memory may fail. Prevention is better than cure, so check our tips of 20 things to get your PC 2020-ready.

20 things to get your PC or Laptop 2020-ready

Is your Website or Web Presence 2020-ready?

More and more people are looking for a website to validate a businesses before using them. Our most popular web service in 2019 was single-page sites that give an opportunity to show what you do, without the cost of a full-blown website. Many of the businesses had no great desire to build a site, or just couldn't justify the cost at the early stages of the business, but these have been setup to grow with the business, and it's been exciting to see some of these businesses really take off and want to add in more pages and more information.

Several of the sites are automatically pulling in information from other sources to help keep them fresh. So as customers leave reviews on Google or Facebook, or the business owner adds pictures of their latest work on Facebook, that information is automatically added to their site.

We've made some massive improvements to our hosting over the last couple of months: it's ready to grow with your business throughout 2020, and we'd love to be part of your online journey. You can find out about the updates here.

It's not all about websites though. Making sure your business, charity or community group has a strong online presence is increasingly important. There are lots of simple things you can do to help ensure that you can be easily found online. Check out our top 20 tips for a 2020-ready online presence, or schedule a call to discuss options.  

20 things to get your Web Presence 2020-ready

Is your Networking 2020-ready?

Do you attend any networking events? Networking can massively help your business, and could be just what you need to make 2020 even more successful. There are lots of different types of networking events out there, and some may suit you more than others. That's OK. We're all different, and all like to do things differently. 

This February it will be three years since the Lakeside Lunch networking group launched. I think I've missed three of the fortnightly events in that time, but have made friends, found customers and found other local businesses that I can rely upon. I now help run three different networking events locally (Lakeside, Billericay and Ongar) as part of the UK's only joined-up networking organisation…. which itself celebrates 14 years in February.

There's no 20 tips for 2020 this time. Instead, look out for a new networking tip every fortnight, or get in touch and we'll help you find some local opportunities to talk about your business and grow your network.  

20 Tips to get your Web Presence 2020-ready

29 Dec 2019 | Business, Web Hosting, WordPress

Is your

ready for 2020?

Are you ready to take your business to the next level in 2020 with a strong website or web-presence?

Here's our top 20 tips to do just that, but there are plenty more, so get in contact if you need any help!

  1. Backup, backup, backup! If you have a website, keep a backup of the files and any associated database.
  2. Run our Website Audit Report to see if there are things you could do to improve your site – it's free!
  3. Don't ‘we' all over your site (or profiles) – no one cares about you, so focus on the benefits for them.
  4. Be consistent – Name, Address and Phone number (NAP) should be the same on every platform you use.
  5. Ensure your site is using an SSL certificate, and that all links use https:// – this is free with most hosts.
  6. Check what you are getting/paying your provider. We often rescue people from over-priced bad service.
  7. If you are using a CMS-powered site (eg WordPress) ensure all code, themes and plugins are updated.
  8. Deactivate and/or remove any plugins or themes you are no longer using – keep it all clean and simple.
  9. Update your site's copyright notice if you have one – ©2017 suggests you may no longer be in business!
  10. If you are using third-party integrations (eg Facebook, Maps) or contact forms, check they are working.
  11. Ensure your site visitors can contact you easily from any point on your website. Don't hide this away.
  12. Check that any Domain Names are owned and registered to you or your business, not host or designer.
  13. Unlucky for some – passwords (again)! Make sure they are secure and consider 2-factor authentication.
  14. Check who else has access to your website admin area or any online profiles. Do they still need access?
  15. Is your business on Google Maps? Have you claimed it on Google My Business?  Refer back to tip 4 🙂
  16. Add photos and ‘posts' to your Google My Business listing regularly – show Google that you still exist.
  17. Check other online directories, especially Bing Places (Microsoft) and Yelp (used by Amazon's Alexa).
  18. Keep a list of the directories/services you are on and check them regularly. Respond to any reviews.
  19. Show/link your business name on your Facebook profile – make it easy for us to know what you do.
  20. Time to spare? Google* yourself or your business and see what's there!  (*other searches available)

Get your FREE Website Audit Report now!

enter your website URL, name & email address below

Web Hosting Updates to take you into 2020

27 Dec 2019 | Web Hosting, WordPress

Over the past couple of months, we have been moving web hosting and email to new servers. This is now complete, and all hosting clients are now able to benefit from this. All hosting accounts now carry the CloudHost.One™ branding, but are still supported directly by S6 Connect.

Previously sites were hosted on one of two servers – each with some limitations and quirks of their own if we're honest. All sites are now hosted on the 20i network, which offers several benefits and improvements including:

  • Fast UK-based SSD hosting
  • Data stored and replicated on multiple servers
  • Dynamic load balancing
  • On-demand autoscaling
  • Linux, WordPress or Windows hosting
  • 10GB Mailboxes as standard
  • Free DNS-based SSL certificates
  • Unlimited Bandwidth
  • Additional WordPress management tools
  • New Hosting Control Panel
  • Native WordPress caching service
  • IPv6 and HTTP/2 support

We have also replaced the billing platform and reduced the volume of emails sent at renewal.
The billing and hosting control panels can both be accessed at https://control.cloudhost.one

Webmail has also been improved and can be accessed via webmail.cloudhost.one

WordPress-optimised hosting is £9.50 a month for users who are happy to mostly self-manage their site, but our Basic ManagedWP service at £30 a month is the most popular and includes regular updates, backups and access to additional themes and plugins. Other plans and options are available to suit your needs and budget.

All accounts are now setup on the new platform and login details have been sent to all users. If you have not received this, or have any questions you can email support@s6connect.com or call 033 3340 3380, ext. 201 – our phone systems have also been updated.

We are currently trialling some additional services to reduce comment and form submission ‘spam' on WordPress sites, and to further enhance site security. If you are interested in trying this, please let us know: we hope to be able to offer this to all accounts shortly.

Is your WordPress site Secure?

Is your WordPress site Secure?

24 Nov 2019 | Managed Services, Security, WordPress

I've spoken with two people this week who lost access to their website, as a direct result of not keeping on top of security updates. 

Both of them are WordPress sites – a popular platform, with lots of additional functionality available through third-party plugins. Its popularity means it is often the target of hacking attempts too though, which is why it is vital to ensure that the core code and any plugins or themes in use are regularly updated. Whilst some of the updates are functional (adding new functionality or making things easier to use), some are security patches resolving vulnerabilities that have been detected in the code.

To give you an idea of how some people take advantage of this, here's the message I received from one of the people I spoke to:

Is your WordPress site Secure? 1

…it has been hijacked. Someone, a few months ago wanted some money or else.
He honoured his word.
So now it's closed until, I can find some one to sort it out on a charitable basis for now.

Someone had managed to gain access to the site, remove the existing admin logins, and make themselves the only admin for the site. When they did not receive the money they asked for, they deleted the entire site.

The Charity were not in a position to resolve the issue themselves. Their hosting provider gave them a backup of the site, but said that the backup contained the malware used to exploit the site still, and would not put it live for them until they paid to have it checked and cleaned.

Another person contacted me after noticing their website was not loading. Instead, an error message was shown. She eventually found out that her hosting provider had taken the site offline after they discovered malware on it. They had written to her two months ago, but the email had been overlooked. Their automated malware scanning system had noticed the code, and highlighted the infected file. Eventually, the host removed the malware on the site and restored access…it took two minutes, but they had done nothing for two months.

She doesn't know when the website was taken offline: it may have been down for the whole two months! Their only recommendation was that she pay an additional £5 per month for a scanning service…. a service which clearly was already running since they had previously notified her of malware.

 

Tips for keeping your site secure

There are several measures that can be taken to help protect a WordPress site. Here's our top recommendations:

  1. Regularly update the core code, themes and plugins
  2. Take regular backups in case of disaster recovery
  3. Avoid having a user called ‘admin'
  4. Use unique complex passwords

If you want to take things a step further, then you may also want to use a security plugin to detect – and block – unusual activity. These typically look for attempts to login as ‘admin', repeated failed logins of any kind, or repeated 404 errors; and then block that IP address for a period of time. Two-factor authentication is also worth considering, requiring a user to respond to an emailed link or other form of additional authentication when trying to login. Some security plugins also give you the option of changing the URL used to login to the site, or present a captcha to detect bots on the login screens.

Some webhosting providers have additional tools available to help keep your site safe and secure. Sometimes these tools are provided as standard, sometimes they charge a premium for them.

Our hosting provides a ‘checksum report' for the core WordPress code, which ensures there are no changes to the main code. Malware scanning, permissions check and on-demand backups are also included on every site as standard.

For sites connected to our WordPress Management Platform, regular backups are taken and stored off-server, and every site is checked at least once a week for any code updates. A staging environment is also available so that changes can be tested without affecting the live site. Additional security is also applied to most sites automatically, and provided as standard on all sites that we actively manage. All from just £10 a month.

Do check what your host provides, take a backup of your site today, and ensure all the updates have been applied.

Schedule a Tech Surgery Consultation

If you're unsure about any of this, or want it taken care of for you, then get in touch today and we'll make all the necessary arrangements. A one-off Tech Surgery is currently just £25, and in most cases will cover the work needed.

Schedule a Meeting

WordPress Update (5.2)

WordPress Update (5.2)

8 May 2019 | WordPress

WordPress Update (5.2) 2

As you may already have seen, there is an update available today to the core WordPress code, version 5.2
The main improvements are around configuration error protection and accessibility.

We will be installing this update on all sites with a current maintenance package later today, which will mean sites are unavailable for two minutes as the update runs. If you do not have a WordPress maintenance service with us, then you should undertake this update yourself in the next few days.

We have also today been notified of a new vulnerability in the W3 Total Cache plugin. If you are using this, please update it urgently (no one on a managed plan has this, but of course if they did it would already be patched).

In other news…

Whilst we are only sending this email to people we know use WordPress, there are a few other bits of general information that may be of interest to you…

  • G Suite users with “Team Drives” will see these renamed to “Shared Drives” shortly, and may need to update links accordingly.
  • We are trialling a new email marketing application which should soon be available as an additional service (this email is being sent from that system to those who previously subscribed or where there is a legitimate interest).
  • Office 365 icons have changed this week – don't be too alarmed… nothing sinister has occurred 🙂
  • Our Website Audit Report tool has been updated – get your free report today at s6connect.com/web-report
  • We are working on some new training resources – now's a great time to get requests and suggestions in!