Bikeshedding is a term that was coined as a metaphor. Focusing on minutiae while neglecting the bigger picture sums it up quite well. Below is a discussion of how bikeshedding can be utilized in an effort to maintain perspective while still creating a compelling, relevant, and functional website.

Joomla is already a feature rich system but sometimes you may need additional features that are not available in Joomla by default. To extend the capabilities of your Joomla site, you will have to install third party tools which are referred as ‘Extensions’. Extensions include plugins, components, modules, templates and languages.

So you just tried to update your site to the latest version or install a new extension or template and your site broke. To make matters worse, you forgot to create a backup prior to these actions and are constantly taking risks by making changes and testing on your live site. Well not anymore! That’s right - you can choose to setup a staging site at CloudAccess.net, it’s as easy as 1,2,3!

So here comes another major release of Wordpress with version 4.6, which includes cool new features and of course bug fixes. This article will explain how you should proceed with updating the site and then we will check out the new features introduced.

Those who do not have automatic updates set to ON will need to update the site manually, but make sure you take a BACKUP of the site before proceeding with the update.
Go to the Dashboard > Updates > Update your site. Easy, right!

We pride ourselves on having an extremely secure platform, but even the most secure hosting providers see hacked websites on a daily basis. Almost always, the goal of the hacker is to steal content, send spam, spread malware or conduct some type of phishing scam. Many times we’ll see a site administrator clean a site only for it to be hacked again a few days later, and then they come to us wanting to know why. We find that some additional steps that can secure a site and fend off attacks are often neglected. This blog explains why sites are hacked, steps for cleaning up a hacked site, and preventative measures that can be taken to secure the site moving forward.

Why sites get hacked

Vulnerable Extensions

There are several reasons a site can be hacked, but the culprit we identify most often is an outdated extension. Updating extensions is critical because hackers can easily identify vulnerabilities in older versions, which are like a wide open back door to the site. If you’re using a Joomla site, it’s best practice to visit the Vulnerable Extensions List frequently. If you see an extension you’re using on this list, download and install the patches immediately. If no patches exist, disable the extension and find something to replace it.

Outdated Applications

Another reason we see sites hacked is because the site itself is an older version of the application, like Joomla 1.5 for example, which is no longer supported with security patches. We provide a managed hosting platform, which means we’ll update versions for you when a new STS (short term support) version becomes available. When a new LTS (long term support) version becomes available, it’s up to site administrators to upgrade on their own. It’s definitely best practice to stay current with the most recent version of your application.