This Month’s WordPress SIG Topics
- What’s new in WordPress since we last met.
- Our featured area is a discussion on WordPress website security.
- But first, our Topics from the Trenches segment.
Topics from the Trenches
Anyone, anyone? Yes, in the back!
Topics From The Trenches
What is markdown?
– John Davey
What is Markdown?
Markdown is a text-to-HTML conversion tool for web writers.
Markdown allows you to write using an easy-to-read, easy-to-write plain text format, then convert it to structurally valid HTML.
Uses of Markdown
- Creating WordPress content Add New Page ‹ wpsigworking — WordPress
- Generic HTML writing
- General notes – Obsidian
What’s new with WordPress?
- State of the Word – 2022
- The Month in WordPress – November 2022 – Detailed blog post on The State of the Word.
- No new code releases
Featured Topic: SSL Certificates
Why & How
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)
The standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between networked computers.
Benefits to your WordPress Website
- Encrypts and secures sensitive information so that only the intended reader can read it.
- Ensures secure passage of information across the net
SEO & Perceived Value Impact
- SSL certificate impacts your website SEO
- Sites w/o SSL installed deemed lower-trust websites
- Penalized on search rankings
- Give visitors confidence
- Secure with SSL
How to Get One?
- Ask your host
- Let’s Encrypt (letsencrypt.org) is free
- Some charge, eg GoDaddy $79/year
- Cloudflare, free tier
- Really Simple SSL – WordPress plugin | WordPress.org
Then What
- Install Certificate
- Redirect HTTP -> HTTPS
How to Redirect
- Log into WordPress Dashboard
- Settings | General
- WordPress Address (URL)
- Site Address (URL)
- Update URLs to include https instead of http
Server Redirect
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} !=on
RewriteCond %{HTTP_USER_AGENT} ^(.+)$
RewriteCond %{SERVER_NAME} ^coolexample\.com$ [OR]
RewriteCond %{SERVER_NAME} ^www\.coolexample\.com$
RewriteRule .* https://%{SERVER_NAME}%{REQUEST_URI} [R=301,L]Mixed Content Messages
Database Search and Replace
http://coolexample.com -> https://coolexample.com
http://www.coolexample.com -> https://collexample.com
Plugin: [Better Search Replace – WordPress plugin | WordPress.org](https://wordpress.org/plugins/better-search-replace/
Cloudflare Options
