WordPress version 2.8.5 addresses the following security vulnerabilities:

• Fixes the Trackback Denial-of-Service (DOS) attack vulnerability
• Removes code areas where php code in variables are evaluated
• Upgrades file upload functionality so all users (including Admins) are whitelisted
• Retires two Tag data importers from old plug-ins

This interim release shows the WordPress Development Team’s commitment to protecting users with the maximum level of security they can provide. Impressive!

All WordPress users should harden their installation immediately by upgrading to this new version now. Upgrading your website is a great excuse to upgrade your hosting environment as well.

Ask yourself:

• Does WordPress power your business or a high-traffic blog?
• Do you require maximum up-time and speed?
• Does your website handle and collect information from users?

If so, add an additional layer of protection and reliability by moving to a web host that stands up to hackers and cybercrime.

Seriously. You’ll be messing around with your site anyway. Let our team of expert Security Engineers provide (FREE) hands on support for the upgrade and the transfer in one appointment to ensure both services are carried out with minimum service interruption.

WordPress users can get the latest version (which was released about a week ago) three ways:

1. Download it here to manually upgrade.
2. Initiate the upgrade automatically by clicking the Upgrade link under the Tools menu in your blog’s admin. (v 2.7 or later)
3. Host your website with FireHost, and let us take care of the upgrade for you.

We’re glad to see WordPress take action to help prevent hackers from compromising websites built on the their great platform. Kudos to the WordPress team for helping keep everyone safe.

The astonishing success of WordPress rests on the shoulders of the open source principle, which provides free access to anyone and everyone with a desire to use the software. This delivers a no-cost environment for users, but also enables absolutely anyone to contribute to the development of the WordPress source code. This has led to a plethora of plug-ins and themes which can take a WordPress blog to amazing new heights, in both function and aesthetics.

Wondering if a company blog is right for your business?

Companies large and small are discovering the power of consistent, direct interactions with their customers via company blogs. Some of the most prominent companies in the world are already using WordPress for their company blogs, including General Electric, Coca-Cola, CNN, Fox News, and The New York Times. In fact, FireHost uses WordPress to deliver the blog you’re reading right now.

Getting your company or non-profit organization started with WordPress couldn’t be easier, especially when you host with FireHost. Our web hosting clients can have access to the most recent release of WordPress in an instant, and our professional services staff will ensure your WordPress blog is configured to your exact specifications by installing plug-ins and custom themes.

WordPress Vulnerabilities Require a Secure Hosting Environment

Like all open source platforms, WordPress is susceptible to exploitation by malicious hackers. Since the source code for WordPress is freely accessible, hackers have dissected and discovered vulnerabilities. They can exploit those vulnerabilities in mass on websites using WordPress to gain access to your website’s database, for example.

Stopping these attacks and giving your company peace of mind is the FireHost promise. We believe that every business and individual has the right to do business and express themselves online, without worrying about attacks. That’s why we deliver industry leading security, including web application firewalls to prevent hackers from exploiting open source applications like WordPress.

To start a company blog with unparalleled security, visit FireHost.com and contact a FireHost Agent today.

Extensibility through plugins is an important feature in WordPress. This tool allows users to build upon the original application and customize it according to their own needs, similar to add-ons in the popular Firefox web browser. Currently, there are thousands of WordPress plugins, but there’s one in particular enabling your blog to easily serve millions of visitors at once: The WordPress Super Cache.

The Super Cache plugin automatically generates static HTML pages directly from your dynamic WordPress blog, transforming resource-heavy WordPress PHP scripts into much lighter HTML pages. This allows your website’s blog to operate faster and serve more visitors.

There isn’t a visible difference for your visitors, but this plugin is very important when your traffic spikes upwards of millions of visitors per hour. As long as you have a professional web hosting plan, The WordPress Super Cache will enable you to easily serve millions of visitors from sources like Digg, Facebook, or Twitter.

Because WordPress is an open source platform however, it is highly susceptible to exploitative attacks. This is where FireHost steps in, providing an industry-leading secure hosting environment, safeguarding your website and protecting your data. Without this protection in place, your website will be prepped to weather an onslaught of visitors by using Super Cache, but could be easily compromised and taken offline by a single hacker.

With professional hosting solutions from FireHost, your company can embrace success, rather than worry about it. To realize your company’s full potential with FireHost and WordPress, contact a FireHost professional today.