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Have you checked your website recently to make sure it’s not growing mold?

If you’re running ecommerce or site builder software (or any scripts!) such as WordPress, Zen Cart, osCommerce, Magento, Drupal, CMS Made Easy, SohoLaunch, or anything other than plain HTML pages… you need to make sure that you’re running the latest, up to date version!

Why?  As scripts age, they become vulnerable to:

Hackers: If your script is old, chances are hackers have figured out how to get in, steal info, corrupt your files and even make your website distribute viruses!

Server Compatibility Issues: Server admins regularly upgrade their software to later versions to incorporate bug fixes and security updates.  If you’re running older scripts they may not work well with newer server software and when that happens you may suddenly find your website sending errors!

But if you keep your scripts updated, in addition to security and compatibility, you’ll also benefit from new features and bug fixes the programmers have incorporated into new versions.

For some scripts, updating is simple.  WordPress has changed their upgrade process so it’s much easier in the latest versions and only requires a few mouse clicks from your wp-admin area to upgrade (see, there’s an example of a benefit of staying up to date!).  Don’t forget to update your plugins, too!  Plugins can have vulnerabilities and allow your website to be hacked as well.  Luckily they’re usually one-click updates, too.

For other scripts, you may need to have your website helper or webmaster upgrade for you.  But it’s not a task you want to skip!  Better to spend the extra bit of time or money staying updated than wake up to a website that’s been hacked one morning or no longer works.

Don’t let your website get moldy!