| Wordpress is an open source blogging platform that | | | | case, the plugins must be patched immediately. As it |
| is available for free to the general public. Over the | | | | is inconvenient to do an update for the plugins, many |
| years, it has become one of the most popular | | | | webmasters choose to ignore these drawbacks. |
| software on the Internet. Many business owners and | | | | Fortunately, the latest version of Wordpress allow |
| individuals use Wordpress to power their blogs and | | | | webmasters to upgrade their plugins to the latest |
| websites. | | | | version without having to go through the usual |
| One of the main reasons why this software is so | | | | lengthy process. |
| popular is because it is very versatile. It allows third | | | | To perform an update, login to your Wordpress |
| party developers to create plugins that can be easily | | | | control panel. Then navigate to the plugins |
| added to the platform. For instance, if you want | | | | management page. If an update is available, a prompt |
| more traffic, you can download an install an SEO | | | | will appear above the plugin. Click on the link and you |
| plugin that will configure your site to become more | | | | will be asked if you wish to perform an update |
| search engine friendly. | | | | automatically. Performing an update regularly means |
| Plugins are great to have, but there is a drawback. | | | | that the new plugin is downloaded and then |
| The older versions of Wordpress require you to | | | | uncompressed and installed in the plugins folder. This |
| perform a series of steps to install the plugin. | | | | happens automatically without any intervention on |
| First, you have to download the plugin. This is usually | | | | your part. The automatic upgrade even activate the |
| available in ZIP (compressed) format. You then need | | | | new plugin on your behalf. Once the newest version |
| to unzip (uncompress) the file on your local hard | | | | has been installed, you may proceed to configure the |
| drive. Once the file has been unzipped, you need to | | | | plugin. |
| fire up your FTP software and upload the files to | | | | To enjoy this new automatic update feature, make |
| your server. Only then can you activate the plugin. If | | | | sure you have the latest version of Wordpress |
| there is an update available for the plugin, you have | | | | installed. You can install the most recent Wordpress |
| to go through the same process again. For this | | | | by using Fantastico. Fantastico is a script installation |
| reason, many webmasters choose to leave their | | | | feature that comes with Cpanel hosting. Check with |
| plugins as it is (without updates). | | | | your web host to see if Fantastico is available if you |
| A plugin that is not updated means that the | | | | own a Cpanel hosting account. If you don't have any |
| webmaster is not able to enjoy the latest features. | | | | hosting, consider signing up for an account. |
| In addition, if there are bugs in the plugins, the bugs | | | | Remember to go to Linux hosting with Cpanel control |
| are not fixed. In some cases (very rare but it does | | | | panel. Fantastico should be included in the hosting |
| happen), plugins may even contain code that | | | | package. Within minutes, you can setup your |
| compromises the security of the website. In this | | | | Wordpress website with the latest plugins. |