As sailors and boaters, we know that maintenance isn’t just about making things look good, it’s about safety. We check our rigging, inspect our hulls, and ensure our engines are running on clean fuel. Now it’s time to think about your website the same way.
Many of the marine business, club, and organization websites in our region are built on WordPress, a fantastic platform that powers a huge portion of the internet. However, just like everything else, it requires regular upkeep to stay secure. One of the most critical, often overlooked, parts of that maintenance is the PHP version running under the hood. In 2026, thanks to the growing use of AI for hacking, serious new vulnerabilities were identified that affect a huge portion of the web.
What is PHP?
Think of PHP as the engine of your website. It’s the behind-the-scenes code that tells your site how to talk to your database, process member registrations, and display your racing calendars. Older versions of PHP (like those found on many websites across the Chesapeake) are no longer being updated by the people who built them. When a version of PHP reaches its “end of life,” it stops receiving security patches.
In the summer and fall of 2026, major vulnerabilities were discovered in PHP, including both older and new versions. They need to be patched immediately or your website risks being hacked for sensitive information, or destroyed beyond repair. Read more about the vulnerability and PHP here.
The Spring Commissioning for Your Website
Here’s the good news: updating PHP is a standard part of website maintenance. It usually involves a quick check with your hosting provider and a bit of testing to ensure your plugins and themes are compatible with the new version. If your website hasn’t been surveyed by a professional in a while, it is important to do this ASAP. Ask your web administrator or reach out to us at Maryland Marine Marketing.
Maintaining a secure, fast, and reliable website is one of the best ways to ensure your club stays active just like your fleet. We’re here to help with website security and marketing.
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