You’ve seen it happen to people you know…
A blog gets hacked, or something happens to the server, and POOF! WordPress is gone, taking all of your posts, comments, and settings with it.
What Do You Do ?
The Anatomy of a WordPress Blog :
Before we talk about what happens when things go bad, let’s talk about how WordPress blogs are structured.
1. The File System
At the surface of your blog is a file system, which consists of your actual WordPress installation, theme files, plugins, and media, such as images, audio, video, etc. This structure sits on your server and can be accessed via FTP or your cPanel’s file browser, and acts as the shell to host your blog content.
2. The Database
The database hides behind your file server, and acts as a sort of brain for your blog. It stores all of your posts, comments, and settings, and when this goes, so does your blog. Take away your database, and your blog looks like it’s brand new. No posts, no comments…
Nothing !
Most people never see the database, because it can only be access via PHPMyAdmin, or a similar control panel, which can confuse even the most technically savvy bloggers. As a result, it’s very easy to inject malicious code, and worse…
It’s Rarely Backed Up !
When Things Go Bad :
So let’s get back to talking about what happens if some jerk hacks your blog and injects malware, or worse…your database becomes corrupted and useless.
What Do You Do ?
You could call your host, and if they’re good (I mean really good), then they might have a backup that they can use to restore your site. But, it’s probably outdated, and they’ll likely charge you some sort of fee to restore it for you. Though it’s nice to get some of your data back, it really stinks to lose even a single post, especially if…
You Don’t Have a Copy
Saved Anywhere !
On the other hand, you could create backups manually by logging into your database and exporting the entire thing on a daily basis. Of course, you’d also want to manually download your site files via FTP at the same time. To do all of this, you’re talking at least 30 minutes per day, which is time that…
Most of You
Don’t Have !
Securing Your Blog with Automatic Backups :
The true solution isn’t to depend on your host, or to manually backup your data on a daily basis, but to take advantage of already existing software…
To Do it for You !
One of my favorite tools for doing this is the WordPress plugin: WordPress Automatic Backup, which automatically backs up your entire site, database and all, and stores it on Amazon’s secure S3 server. The great thing about this is that S3 is amazingly inexpensive, and the plugin works automatically after…
A Very Simple Installation !
In using this plugin, you’ll always have an up to date backup ready at a moment’s notice. Of course, I recommend checking 2-3 times per month to make sure it’s doing it’s job, but as long as you do that, you can rest easy knowing your blog is safe.
Stay Secure,
The Bad Blogger
Also Known As “The Secure Blogger”
How to Keep Your Blog Hacker Proof ?
Article by Wong Chendong aka The Bad Blogger
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: techcrates
March 30, 2011 at 1:05 am
As far as database backups are considered, I do it … but for site files backup, whether the files from public_html are enough ??
Tech Crates recently posted..Nokia C5 – C Series Smartphone Review
Twitter: TheBadBlogger
March 30, 2011 at 10:20 am
Well, if you want to be safe, download and save it using ftp, but I never really look into that, since I thought database backup was enough…
Yeah.. taking a backup is one the most wisest thing you can do.. the plugin you’ve receommended is a good one..
If someone is nto interested in paying up.. they could perform the good old manual backup as well.
Curious Little Person recently posted..SEO Checklist- For Blog Posts
Twitter: TheBadBlogger
March 30, 2011 at 10:40 am
Well… the good old manual backup is good but time consuming, but again doing it once in awhile is not such a time waster….
most of us understand its importance only after the shock. It is always suggested to prevent earlier than curing later.
Himanshu recently posted..Free iMate Giveaway from Wondershare
Twitter: TheBadBlogger
March 31, 2011 at 5:54 am
Well said, but seriously I never thought of it till one of a blogger recently got hacked…
I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to back my sites up with the plugin you pointed out. and also I keep a redundant copy on my local machine and also a well known web based repository as well.
tonyknuckles recently posted..113Tidbits – Blink Product Design Giveaway
Twitter: TheBadBlogger
April 1, 2011 at 6:08 am
Well, I too save my backup on my hard disk, I mean at least if S3 got some problem, I still had one back up on my computer…
Twitter: earningdiary
April 2, 2011 at 3:05 am
Great post.I think automatic backup is better than manual backup and we can do it by installing some WP plugins.
Lakhyajyoti recently posted..How to Blog and Make Money Online
Twitter: technicallyeasy
December 2, 2011 at 10:40 pm
I have a plugin that automatically backs up my database on a regular basis and then e-mails the backup file to an account that isn’t associated with my blog.
I’ll have to check out the Wordpress Automatic Backup plugin as it seems to do everything for you.
Paul Salmon recently posted..My Data Backup Solution to Keep My Data Safe
Twitter: TheBadBlogger
December 3, 2011 at 8:52 am
Kind to recommend what plugin you are using?
Wong Chendong aka The Bad Blogger recently posted..6 Ways to Become Harry Potter in Your Blogging Niche!
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