A couple months ago, I learned how to better protect WordPress installations from those with less-than-godly intentions. One action step was to install security plugins, such as Login Lock and WordPress Firewall 2, on the sites I manage. The subsequent plugin alerts began arriving in my email inbox at least weekly. They warned me, “This notice is to inform you that someone at IP address 83.103.119.239 tried to login to your site and failed,” or “WordPress Firewall has detected and blocked a potential attack. This may be a Directory Traversal Attack.”


 

Client New Year Card 2012
Instead of sending seasonal cards, this year I created a forward-looking message for clients. I packaged hand-stamped cards wishing them a noteworthy 2012 with branded sticky notes. The final product is pictured above.


 

As one of the most popular web development platforms, WordPress enjoys a wide and active user base, frequent new features, and thorough documentation. The company estimates that almost 15% of global websites harness WordPress software. With this immense popularity, however, a serious drawback surfaces. Hackers and harmful scripts target WordPress sites because they form such a large pool and share vulnerabilities.

By implementing the strategies outlined below, WordPress site owners can empower themselves and protect their sites beyond the default settings. Owners can successfully minimize their security risks and continue to enjoy the many benefits of the platform.


 

All business sites have a lifespan. After initial launch, they promote your brand, help customers find you online and/or geographically, and generate new sales. At some point, however, your site will no longer align with your company goals. Perhaps the design suggests an era passed, or the structure is not user-friendly. The timing and reasons for a website redesign are different for every business. Periodical site reviews can inform the decision when to redesign. During the evaluation, the respective site owner should articulate the website’s strengths and weaknesses. If any of the following characteristics are present in your resulting list, you may need to fast track a redesign.


 

On Thursday, May 26th, Douglas Rushkoff presented the most thought-provoking session at the Webvisions Conference. Promoting his latest book, Program or Be Programmed, he suggested that digital technology imposes biases on our online experiences. Understanding these biases allows us to work around the medium’s limitations and use it most effectively.


 

Flickr Photos

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