Apache Web server updated to fix CVE-2016-8743

We’ve upgraded our Apache Web server software to fix the security bug CVE-2016-8743.

Customers should not notice any changes, with one exception: If you’ve written your own software, and that software contains certain bugs that haven’t previously been noticed, the update may cause the bugs to be more visible.

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Brief MySQL scheduled maintenance Feb 24, 2017 (completed)

Between 9:00 PM and 11:59 PM Pacific time on Friday, February 24, 2017, the MySQL database software on each of our servers will be restarted. This will cause an approximately 60 second interruption of service on each MySQL-using customer Web site at some point during this period.

This is necessary for security and stability reasons. We apologize for the inconvenience this causes.

Update 9:49 PM Pacific time: The maintenance was completed as planned and all services are running normally.

PHP 7.0.16 and 7.1.2

The PHP developers recently released versions 7.0.16 and 7.1.2 that fix several bugs. We’ve upgraded the PHP 7.0 and 7.1 series on our servers as a result.

These changes should not be noticeable, but as always, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any trouble.

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Brief MySQL scheduled maintenance Feb 3, 2017 (completed)

Between 9:00 PM and 11:59 PM Pacific time on Friday, February 3, 2017, the MySQL database software on each of our servers will be upgraded from version 5.5.53 to 5.5.54. This will cause an approximately 60 second interruption of service on each MySQL-using customer Web site at some point during this period.

This upgrade is necessary for security reasons. We apologize for the inconvenience this causes.

Update 9:44 PM Pacific time: The maintenance was completed as planned and all services are running normally.

PHP 5.6.30, 7.0.15, and 7.1.1

The PHP developers recently released versions 7.0.15 and 5.6.30 that fix several bugs. We’ve upgraded the PHP 7.0 and 5.6 series on our servers as a result.

In addition, we’re now providing support for the PHP 7.1 series, so PHP 7.1.1 is also available in our control panel.

Finally, the PHP 7.0 series has been out long enough that all modern script software should be compatible with it, and the authors of the WordPress software recommend it specifically. Because of that, we’re making PHP 7.0 the default for new customers, and we recommend that all customers switch to PHP 7. It’s almost twice as fast as old versions of PHP.

If you’re not yet using PHP 7 but you’d like your WordPress or other PHP-based site to seem snappier, or be able to handle twice as many visitors per second, you can easily do so:

  1. First, update your site’s PHP scripts, including WordPress, Joomla, any plugins or themes you use, and so on
  2. Login to our My Account control panel
  3. Click PHP Settings
  4. Click PHP 7.0 series
  5. Click Save Settings

Then test your site to make sure it works properly. If it does: Great, you’ve just made your site much faster! If it doesn’t, it’s probably because you’re using older scripts that haven’t yet been updated, and you can simply set PHP back to an earlier version for now. (But be sure to contact the authors of your scripts and ask when they will be compatible with PHP 7.)

As always, if you have any trouble, don’t hesitate to contact us.

PHP 5.6.29

The PHP developers recently released version 5.6.29 that fixes several bugs. We’ve upgraded the PHP 5.6 series on our servers as a result.

This change should not be noticeable, but in the unlikely event you experience any trouble, don’t hesitate to contact us.

PHP 7.0.14

The PHP developers recently released version 7.0.14 that fixes several bugs. We’ve upgraded the PHP 7.0 series on our servers as a result.

This change should not be noticeable, but in the unlikely event you experience any trouble, don’t hesitate to contact us.

PHP 7.0.13 and 5.6.28

The PHP developers recently released versions 7.0.13 and 5.6.28 that fix several bugs. We’ve upgraded the PHP 7.0 and 5.6 series on our servers as a result.

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Brief MySQL scheduled maintenance November 18, 2016 (completed)

Between 9:00 PM and 11:59 PM Pacific time on Friday, November 18, 2016, the MySQL database software on each of our servers will be upgraded from version 5.5.52 to 5.5.53. This will cause an approximately 60 second interruption of service on each MySQL-using customer Web site at some point during this period.

This upgrade is necessary for security reasons. We apologize for the inconvenience this causes.

Update 9:43 PM Pacific time: The maintenance was completed as planned and all services are running normally.

PHP 7.0.12 and 5.6.27

The PHP developers recently released versions 7.0.12 and 5.6.27 that fix several bugs. We’ve upgraded the PHP 7.0 and 5.6 series on our servers as a result.

For the PHP 5.6 and 7.0 series, we’ve also updated ionCube Loader to the current version 6.0.6, and SourceGuardian Loader to the current version 11.

These changes should not be noticeable, but in the unlikely event you experience any trouble, don’t hesitate to contact us.