One of WordPress’ great strengths is the sheer number and diversity of available plugins. These plugins offer website owners a vast array of features and enhancements and are an integral part to any WordPress powered website. It is essential however, for website owners and administrators to understand the significance of keeping WordPress plugins up to date, as recent events have demonstrated.
A Recent Issue with Advanced Custom Fields
One notable example that highlights the importance of regular plugin updates is the recent issue with Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), a plugin used by over 4.5 million users and over 70% of our WordPress Support customers. ACF provides website admins with a flexible way to create custom fields and content types. However, a vulnerability was recently discovered in a specific version of ACF, which allowed attackers to exploit websites that hadn’t been promptly updated. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with neglecting plugin updates.
The vulnerability was responsibly disclosed to to the plugin developer WP Engine, who patched the issue before it was announced to the public. WP Engine notified it’s users the same day, but overall site owners have been slow to update to the latest version. As a result, there are many millions of sites still vulnerable.
More Reasons to Keep Plugins Updated
Keeping a website secure is the top reason to keep plugins updated on a regular basis. Here are a few more beyond security enhancements:
Bug Fixes and Compatibility
Plugins are not immune to bugs or compatibility issues with WordPress core updates or other plugins. Developers release updates to address these bugs, improve performance, and ensure seamless integration with the latest versions of WordPress and other plugins. By regularly updating your plugins, you ensure that your website operates smoothly and functions optimally, avoiding potential conflicts or functional limitations.
New Features and Functionality
Plugin updates often introduce new features and enhanced functionality. These additions can enhance the user experience, provide new customization options, improve performance, or introduce innovative capabilities. By staying up to date, you can leverage these new features to enhance your website, keep up with industry trends, and deliver a better experience to your visitors.
Maintaining Reputation and User Trust:
An outdated website with malfunctioning or insecure plugins can negatively impact your reputation and erode user trust. Visitors expect websites to be secure, reliable, and up to date. If your website is plagued with issues due to outdated plugins, it may deter visitors, lead to a higher bounce rate, and ultimately damage your online credibility. Regularly updating your plugins demonstrates a commitment to maintaining a secure and seamless user experience, instilling confidence in your audience.
Cinch: Your Partner in WordPress Plugin Updates
Managing and keeping track of plugin updates can be a time-consuming and challenging task, especially for website owners with numerous plugins installed. This is where Cinch Web Services comes in as a valuable partner. With our expertise and specialized services, we’ll keep your WordPress plugins up to date on a daily basis, ensuring your website remains secure and optimized.
Cinch customers using ACF were updated the same day the patch was released, and our security monitoring has showed zero sites exploited. If you haven’t already, update to the latest patched version (ACF 6.1.6). And if you’re ready to offload that responsibility, take a look at our Essential Support plan. It’s peace of mind at a reasonable price.
