If your website or blog uses WordPress, you're no doubt familiar with that message that appears at the top of your dashboard reminding you that there's a new version of WordPress out and you really need to upgrade. If you don't know how, this article's for you.
The three steps are:
- Backup your full site
- Get the latest version of WordPress
- Install the upgrade
1. Backup your full site.
You don't have to know cPanel or how to work with a database in order to backup your site - you can use a WordPress plugin.
The WP-DB-Backup plugin is a wonderful addon that will let you backup your site right from your WordPress admin panel. You can download the plugin at WordPress.org. You'll have to learn how to install a plugin if you don’t know already - go here for more info.
Using WP-DB-Backup is easy - login to your WordPress admin site, scroll down to Tools > Backup. You'll see a list of database core tables that will always be backed up, and you can also check the other tables for backup (it won't hurt). Then choose to either email it to yourself or download it to your computer and click 'Backup Now!'. All done.
2. Get the latest version of WordPress.
Download it at www.wordpress.org or use the button on the WordPress Automatic Upgrade screen (see number 3).
3. Install the upgrade.
You can do this automatically with - you guessed it - another WordPress plugin. WordPress Automatic Upgrade. You can get it here. Once it's installed, go to Tools > Upgrade in your WordPress admin site and click the button. Don't interfere or try to reload or change screens while the upgrade is in process, it might take a minute or two.
Barring any errors, that should be it. If you try this process the next time you get an upgrade notice, and have any problems, we can help, but usually this is a very easy and error-free procedure.
Software Updates!
Are you using WordPress for blogging or for running your content-managed site? If so, you should update to version 2.8, which came out very recently. Updating insures that you have the latest features and latest security measures in place.
And if your WordPress site uses the Thesis theme, another update is available. It's free, but again, it's important that you attend to update notices promptly.
If you receive notices in the mail or on-screen for any software running on your website, please pay attention - it's for the safety of your site's files and data.
Noticed an Increase in Spam in June?
If you're a NOCO Hosting client and your spam suddenly increased in the third week in June, let us know. There was a server issue during an upgrade that caused the spam filter to be disabled on some sites.