Forced PHP upgrade a red flag for SMBs
Small businesses could experience some serious downtime, as result of a forced PHP upgrade that local hosting companies have started to rollout. PHP is a scripting language used to create dynamic webpages – as PHP versions reach their end-of-life, upgrading is encouraged to avoid the potential security risks that arise from vulnerabilities and bugs in older versions. Local web hosting company 1-grid.com are pushing back on the forced upgrade.
“While upgrading your website PHP is important, it shouldn’t be forced on you. Choosing which PHP works for your business needs, and completing the upgrade, requires a lot of attention,” says head of local hosting company 1-grid.com, Thomas Vollrath. “For already cash-strapped small businesses, upgrading can become an expensive exercise.”
A PHP upgrade needs to be completed carefully – a single line of incorrect code can result in unwanted changes to a website. If a business is making a big jump in the PHP version they are using, certain pages – like a WordPress site – can encounter issues.
“Completing a PHP upgrade can be particularly difficult for small business owners, who are responsible for their entire business. Checking all components of a PHP is time-consuming, and technical. Small businesses do not necessarily have the knowhow, internal resources, or budgets to manage the forced update,” says Vollrath.
With the livelihood of the businesses hosted by 1-grid being top of mind, the company will be providing their clients with an alternative solution to ensure their website is not impacted by the upgrade, which will come into full effect in December. The web host is offering their clients a HardenedPHP solution; this ensures that even if a website does not use the latest PHP version, it will continue to operate effectively and securely.
With a focus on small-to-medium-sized businesses in South Africa, 1-grid.com offers an all-in-one digital solution, including web and email hosting, business and domain name registration, web security packages, a DIY website builder, and SSL certificates. The company currently services 35 000 customers across the country, including loot.co.za and Kauai. For more information visit www.1-grid.com.