Software runs the internet. It is rare that you find a website that does not have some sort of software package as the site’s backbone. Today, most websites are built on software packages that make it easier to update the site and create a more dynamic experience for the visitor. These include content management systems/blogging software like Joomla and WordPress. Since the web has become more software driven, there is a higher security risk if you don’t keep your website software up to date.

Web software has taken over from traditional html coded websites because it gives users a functional interface to create and format content. The content is stored in databases and the software tells the web browser what to show and how to show it. If your web software is setup correctly, this makes maintaining a dynamic website fairly easy if you have the content to provide. That’s why software has taken over from html.

Updated Software keeps hackers away

But, since software is written code that can be hacked into, it also makes websites running certain software targets for hackers. What can they do? Once they find a way into the backend of your site, they can create a security mess, from redirecting all of your links to virus and spyware-laden places, to storing viruses that people find through other links, to even taking your site down and deleting it. This creates a major problem for you to fix and can damage your reputation, no matter if your site is for personal or business purposes.

That’s why the people who write website software are constantly updating their builds, to safeguard their software. They typically make it easy to update through the backend interface (or administrator) portion of the site.

Does this sound intimidating to you? Do you not want to devote your important resources to making sure your website is up to date? That’s where a web consultant can help; they have the resources to do this easily and typically know when an update is coming out before it’s released. This can really safeguard your web presence.

So, how up to date is your software?