One of the lead developers of WordPress, Peter Westwood, created a WordPress plugin called “Health Check.” Currently, it checks that the PHP and MySQL versions of your server meet the requirements for WordPress 3.2, which is scheduled to be released sometime around May, 2011.

When WordPress 3.2 is released, PHP4 and MySQL 4 will no longer be supported by WordPress. So you'll want to make sure that your hosting provider has your site meeting the minimum requirements (PHP 5.2 and MySQL 5.0.15) before its release.

Why check your PHP and MySQL version now?

As a good WordPress security measure, it's important that your hosting company provides you with the most up-to-date web applications.

Being on an outdated server is a security risk that you can avoid!

The Health Check plugin will help you by checking what your current PHP and MySQL versions are on your website's hosting server.

The PHP 5 and MySQL 5 series were created for a good reason. They contain thousands of security fixes addressing vulnerabilities, as well as many enhancements.

If you're hosting provider has your site running on PHP 4 or MySQL 4, you need to get them to upgrade you or run as fast as you can and switch to a safe hosting company!

It's vital that you have a trustworthy host provider. If you don't know who offers secure WordPress hosting, check out *HostGator or *LiquidWeb, they both update their servers regularly.

Be sure to read my article “10 Tips for WordPress Hosting” to find out more.

I've tested the Health Check WordPress plugin

Our site is currently running WordPress 3.0.1. I successfully installed and activated the Health Check plugin, Upon activation, I noticed at the top of my Plugins Page it reads…

Excellent: Your server is running PHP version 5.2.14 and MySQL version 5.1.50 which will be great for WordPress 3.2 onward.

However, I do not notice any other area to view “Health Check” inside the dashboard. At this time, there is nothing located on the Dashboad left-side menu.

After revisiting my Plugins page the message disappeared. I deactivated and reactivated the plugin and the message appeared once again.

Good news about Health Check

In the future, the Health Check WordPress plugin is supposed to perform additional security health checks including detecting common configuration errors and known issues of your WordPress installation.

According to Peter Westwood, he plans on having Health Check accessible from the Dashboard > Tools menu.

I'm looking forward to the new developments of this plugin.

The importance of WordPress Security

For those who do not meet the minimum requirements of PHP and MySQL are at great risk of having their websites hacked and will not be able to upgrade to WordPress 3.2. The WordPress built-in updater won't allow it.

Be sure you're on an updated web server and take your WordPress security seriously by keeping up to date, using strong passwords, making regular backups, and doing monthly WordPress security checks.

Resources:

• Health Check — WordPress Plugin
• Health Check handy plugin installation tool
• Health Check development log
• 10 Tips for WordPress Hosting
• PHP 4 and MySQL 4 End of Life Announcement

Leave your feedback

Have you tried Health Check? Is your hosting company keeping your web server updated? Leave us your comment below.

Securely yours,

Regina Smola
WordPress Security Specialist
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