Backup first then update WordPress
For goodness sake…
As I encounter more and more of my client’s sites getting hacked, I feel the urgency to write an article about why you should be updating the WordPress platform as all updates are released. Actually this goes for plugins as well.
The onslaught of ill-willed hackers disrupting the businesses of others is mind boggling, but rather than belabor their sinfulness, I will focus on being proactive in building up an armory against them.
First and foremost, your WordPress website should always be updated when WordPress releases an update. You will know they’ve released an update by the alert message in your dashboard.
But before you perform a WordPress update, you will need to create a backup of your website. Since WordPress is database driven (also known as dynamic), you will need to backup your website files as well as your database. You’re probably saying, “Ya right, easy for you to say.” And yes for me it’s easy, but I try to make it easy for my clients as well. Lately I’ve been very happy with the Duplicator plugin. This gem creates a TOTAL backup of your website files AND database. You create a package that you allow to stay on your server and download to your desktop until the next time you backup. Then you delete the previous package (to guard against too much file storage on your hosting server).
Below is a nifty little tutorial on how to create a backup and update your website. Don’t hesitate to backup when you see these notifications but if you feel a bit apprehensive you can call me to perform this much needed maintenance to prevent your WordPress website from being hacked.
