Latest News from NSDesign
Keep up-to-date with the latest news at NSDesign. Browse the news headlines below, or subscribe using our RSS Feed and your favourite RSS News Reader. You can also view the entire News Archive.
Notification of Upgrades to all Linux Servers [return]
We have taken the decision to make a few software upgrades to all our Linux Servers.
These upgrades are vital to the ongoing security and reliability of all our servers. They are being implemented for the good of our entire client base, and while the majority of customers will not be affected by these changes, a few may have "compatibility" issues with their websites.
We apologise in advance for any problems, and we will of course try and help resolve any issues as we are notified.
The upgrades will take place over the next few weeks, but to summarise, we will be:
Ceasing the availability of PHP4
On older servers, we've been running both PHP4 and PHP5 for some time, giving you the option as to which version you wish to use (see: http://bit.ly/bSnvp7 ) - newer servers have only been running PHP5.
We've now taken the decsision to remove PHP4. It's no longer supported (it was "end of life" back in December 2007), and therefore no longer developed - as such it poses a security risk to the server.
Most clients will not notice any difference, but there is the possibility that some older websites will have been developed specifically for PHP4 will have certain issues. We would urge you to update these, and test using PHP5 asap. As well as better security, PHP5 actually includes many more features and functions that you can take advantage of. Click here for more info: http://www.devshed.com/c/a/PHP/Whats-New-in-PHP-5/
"register_globals" and "allow_url_fopen" will be OFF by deafult
One or two of our old servers had these PHP setting ON by default. Effective immediately, these will be set to OFF. Again most customers shouldn't notice any difference - most PHP scripts will have been developed for this scenario, and for those that require it - again we strongly suggest that you fix this asap. Both Register_globals and allow_url_fopen are big secuity risks hence why we've taken this decision.
mySQL upgrade to version 5.x
For similar reasons as PHP, we're upgrading mySQL to version 5.x (was previously version 4.x which was end of live at the end of 2009). mySQL5 offers a range of improved features, as well as being more secure. Most sites will not be affected, but there is a risk that your site may have database queries that were written in a syntax that is not supported by mySQL5. Again, we'd urge you to resolve these asap (check with the author of the script if it's not yourself).
Improved security features within Cpanel etc
We'll be making a few tweaks to Cpanel among other things to tighten-up general security. This includes forcing any logins through a "secure" (SSL) login page, increasing the required password strength for accounts, and more. These things won't make any negative difference to your own hosting account.
Please contact us if you have any questions on any of the above.
Thanks for your continued support
Regards
Gary Ennis
Managing Director
NSDesign Ltd
Posted on 14 July, 2010
