December Update
Vital Information
-Security Issues
It was recently discovered that several blogs have been hacked via a vulnerability in the WP code structure. As of now we do not know of a proven way to avoid the actual process once it starts, but we do know how to watch for malicious users.
Basically, what you need to do is go through your users list and purge out bad or unfamiliar users. To do this, log in to your admin panel and click the “Users” tab.
You want to delete any user who registered using an e-mail address that ends in “ru”. For example:
ilikespam@mail.ru
You also need to be on the look out for users who have names that look computer generated or who use throw away/fake e-mail addresses. The bottom line is that if you have a user who is not active and has no need to actually have an account on your blog, you should get rid of him/her/it.
-Plugin Warning
Another hack has been discovered that uses the “wp-contactform” plugin. The hacker is able to inject html into the contact form, which then gives him/her access to all of your files. This is why we have restricted access on most files on this site.
If you’re using this plugin, please deactivate it immediately and reply to this post for alternative options.
-Theme Changes
In order to clean up our file tree and get rid of a lot of unneeded files, I’ll be deleting any and all themes that are not currently being used. PLEASE reply to this post letting me know which theme/s you want to keep (yes, you can keep more than one). I’ll also need to know which theme you are currently using for your blog.
Once I delete all unneeded themes I will be going through and editing the footer files on ALL blogs on the site. During this edit I will make updates to the links in your footer, and add a short snippet of javascript that will allow us to better track statistics on the entire site.
You are still free to add your own stat scripts to help keep track of your traffic, but please do not move or edit the strip of code that I put in your footer files.
Your help with everything mentioned above would be much appreciated.
Recent Updates
-ConservaBlogs.com Main Site
As most of you probably already noticed, we finally got the main site switched over to its permanent theme. A lot of changes will be made as we customize and tweak the template, but for the most part what you see now is what the site will always be moving forward.
We also changed the content theme for the main site. One of our new goals is to become the leader in right minded technology and internet related commentary and news. You’ll see this start to take hold as we move in to 2008.
-Updates Status Page
There is now a page that shows projects currently being worked on and where we are in the progress of the project. You can view that page at any time by clicking the “Updates” link at the top of ConservaBlogs.com.
Visit the updates page now.
Recently completed projects include:
–Flickr Group :: When you submit your Flickr photos to our group they will appear on the homepage here at CB
–Facebook Group :: We now have a Facebook group located here
–Google Adsense revenue sharing system :: Everyone who posts on the main site is now entitled to a piece of the pie
Coming Soon
-Wordpress Version Upgrades
All blogs will be updated to 2.4.0 when it is released in early 2008
-New forums
The new forums will be an actual part of Wordpress and not a separate site.
Recommendations
-Clicky Web Stats
Clicky web stats is, without question, the BEST stat tracker available. It just opened up to the public and everyone is invited to use it. It’s free and works REAL TIME, so you see the visits as they actually happen.
Final Note
I created a a post dedicated to each of you. This post is a little thank you from ConservaBlogs to you for sticking with us through this year and helping us make this a great site.
If you get a free minute, please visit that post and comment. Click here.
With that I wish all of you a Happy New Year!!!
Comments are open on this page so feel free to reply with any questions or concerns.
Regards,
-Eric Odom
