After browsing teh interwebs about securing Wordpress installations I found a good tutorial over here:

http://www.guvnr.com/web/blogging/10-tips-to-make-wordpress-hack-proof/

I would encourage everyone to have a look.  Beyond the usual “install the latest version” and “use stronger passwords” , there’s some other great hints, like changing the default “admin” user’s name to something else; changing the “wp_” prefix on your datatables, and using the power of .htaccess to block unauthorized usage of your wp-admin folder (and plugins folder for that matter).

For the lazy or less-inclined (your truly included), you can also try this plugin:

http://semperfiwebdesign.com/custom-applications/wp-security-scan/

Which is super awesome, and automates most, but not all of those changes.

A relatively recent review of other blog security plugins can be found over here — fair warning: haven’t tried any of them, but some of them do sound nifty.

Ugh, what a nightmare.

In fact, even “searching” on the site triggered this particular behaviour, which was annoying and embarassing at the same time.  I spent the greater part of two hours yesterday combing through WP code to try and find the culprit file / code / hex / curse, but to no avail.

You may, therefore, notice that DJI is looking a little different, as I have went DEFCON 1, and simply obliterated my old compromised Wordpress install, keeping my database.  I re-installed Wordpress using a clean install, and am going with a simpler theme for now.  I’ll be sticking with it while I try and implement a few more things to lock down the security on this blog (as, of course, there a great many things that you can do in addition to running the latest version), which I will be implementing, and blogging about, shortly.

Cheerio

I guess it speaks to your own blogging habits as well.  I used to be able to blog when I got back from work and maybe after dinner.  I used to pride myself on how fast I could blog, but even so, it takes about 20 minutes of uninterrupted time to put something even remotely intelligible.

Why has blogging changed for me?  Well, I just don’t have 20 minutes of uninterrupted time any more, until the Boy goes to sleep.  And quite frankly, I’m not even doing most of the heavy lifting (points to wife).

And after that, there are other household obligations that need to be taken care of.  Perhaps I’m getting older, but I find that I just don’t have the stamina to stay up an extra 30 – 60 minutes to do extra stuff, when I have to be up the next day for work.

I can’t even imagine what it would be like to try all this with two children (or twins), nevermind one.

Bottom line — blogging has been taking a bit of a back seat to parenting these days, and has made me appreciate all of those “mommy bloggers” out there for two reasons:  *being* a mom, and being a mom AND a blogger ;)

One other specific bit of help that I also want to throw out is that I’m also looking to redesign DJI.  I wrote this current theme myself, but I don’t really have the time to put together a new one.  If you know (or happen to be) an up and coming Wordpress Theme Ninja, and would like a a crack at this particular blog, leave a comment and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

Just so that there’s no confusion — there’s absolutely no money in it for you.

But, on the other hand, you get the notoriety of saying that you created a blog, the chance to work with me (if such a thing is worth something to anyone), and the chance at spreading your own reputation around the blogosphere through my constant braying (for I will bray loudly if it is good).  And if the design is at all popular, maybe we’ll release it for public consumption as well.

If you’re interested leave a comment and we’ll try an hash something out.

Cheers!

Hey folks,

Its been a while since my last post, but blogging will continue to be sparse as I am taking stock of all things blogging these days. Late yesterday, with much regret, I stepped down from my post as the Editor of the BlogHerald. The reasons weren’t personal, but, as they say in Hollywood, along the lines of having some “irreconcilable differences”. It was not something I did lightly, and it is something that I am actually doing with a lot of sadness. Over the past year I put a lot of work, time and goodwill into making what it is today, and I hope that I have left it in better shape than when I first took it on.

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and work with some great bloggers, some of whom are my blogging heroes. In that I do feel lucky and blessed to have a chance to learn a few new things and make some coin while doing it. Not everyone gets the chance to do what they love to do and get paid for it, and I did, and for that I am grateful.

At any rate, much like a year ago this date, I am considering what direction I should take, and it may take a while before I am blogging regularly again. For those of you who are faithful readers, thanks for being patient as these past few weeks on DJI have been sparse (reality check: bordering on empty). Things will pick up soon, I hope.

Cheers,
Tony.

PS. If you have any bright ideas you can, of course, leave a comment or email me personally at anthony {dot} hung {at} gmail {dot} com

In the meantime, please check out the following blogs/ sites:

Allen Stern’s CenterNetworks

Mat Ingram’s blog

BlogRunner: Tech

Marshall Kirkpatrick’s blog

Aaron Brazell’s Technosailor