Hackproof Your WordPress Blog NOW!

We woke up one morning and found out that one of our sites had been hacked. A red glaring warning sign appeared on Firefox and Google marked it as a dangerous site. This can happen to you. As much as I want to be intimidated by all the code talk I just cannot afford stop and moan about it. I guess it must be a boomer thing. I must keep asking questions and perserve.

 I have posted an insightful presentation on WordPress Security that was part of a presentation at a WordPress Conference.  Some of you, although you are long time bloggers, may still shy away from this critically needed stuff. DO NOT IGNORE IT!

I am also reviewing a four hour security seminar I took with Cathy Perkins. It must be done  in bit sized peices so it is good to stop, do then listen again.

I am not going to say it is easy and I would much rather be at Starbucks with a cup of Latte, at Barnes and Noble, or in the Virgin Islands. But I know what it feels like to have a blog hacked. So I am forcing myself to schedule this task and follow the steps so clearly explained in the Security Teleseminar. I am still trying to figure out how I am going to reward myself. If anyone else out there is doing the same thing and was in Cathy’s class please let me know.

Meanwhile, view the video below. You may not understand all of it, I am still learning also, but listen anyway. Write down your questions and post them after the video onthe WordPress TV site or here where someone smarter than me might answer.

But regardless if you do it your self or hire someone just secure that blog!

Google Analytics vs AWStats

Not to long ago I posted about a site that gave a great explanation for why my AWStats were different from my Google Analytics.

Well I do not know what happened but either boomer me left out the link or pixel thiefs stole it. (Just kidding)

But please see the post again with the link this time. Hope it helps you like it helped me. See the post corrected post on the two statistical packages AWStats and Google Analytics

And let this be a lesson for you also, always check your links. Also, sometimes when watching TV review some of the posts in your site to be sure embedded codes are still in bed and links are working. Thanks Rita for letting me know.

More on Gravatars

After writing a short introduction post to gravatars someone wrote a very detailed and wonderful post on the topic. I mean this post is basic 101 which is just what many folks need when they do not have a clue how to get that cute image up on their sites.

I found out about the post when I got a comment on this site. That’s right new bloggers when you comment about a blog post and include the url often the site you mentioned will be notified. That is cool.

Ok, this post is very well written just like the entire site. If you have a home business you will want to hang around a bit to glean more insights. So, I am going to subscribe so I can stay updated. That is just the way blogging works. That’s why I love it.

So, check out this excellent , clear and well illustrated post on gravatars.

PS the picture used in the post illustration is a handsome picture of a baby boomer, can’t get any better than that.

Do You Want People To Tweet Your Posts?

If you want people to be able to Tweet your Posts on Twitter then try adding a special plugin to your WordPress blog. A fellow baby boomer blogger, Heidi Caswell, just created a video showing you HOW TO ADD THE TWEET THIS plugin to your blog. Ok, some of you already know but others reading this will find this to be worth the time viewing.

So enjoy this post on how to add the plugin that will enable folks to Tweet your posts.

Be sure to hang out a while on her site. She has loads of goodies.

Oh, guess what, I added that cool plugin on this site. Soooo, you can feel free to Tweet it.

Why Do My Google Analytics Look Different Than My AWstats Report From My Host?

My stats from Awstats look so different from my stats on Google Analytics. I keep scratching my head trying to figure it out. Did it mean that one of them, hopefully the one with the lower numbers, was wrong?

Actually my research led me to several sites.  But I found one that seemed to be much clearer than mud. This baby boomer actually understood it! Ha!

Anyway, for all of you that have placed Google Analytics on your site please read this excellent article explaining the difference in the statistical reports. The site is designed for beginners and those with one step into the intermediate range.  Here is a short description about the author who seems to know what he is talking about. Well, he sure knows more than me.

Edward Lansink has been active in web marketing and web analytics since 2005, working with an international software development company and providing consultancy services to a few online retailers who have grown to understand the increasing importance of optimization of their websites and marketing spend.

So thank you so much Mr. Lansink for your excellent explanation about Google Analytics vs AWstats. Now, I understand. You made this baby boomer happy.