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Why is it important to update server software? Looking at the risks

In the world of server technology, stability and security depend not only on hardware, but also on timely software updates. Server software includes operating system, databases, web servers, control panels and other components, the operation of which directly affects the performance and reliability of the infrastructure.

However, many administrators put off upgrades for fear of failures or incompatibility with existing configurations. This can lead to serious consequences, from performance degradation to vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malicious users.

In this article, we'll break down the main risks associated with not updating and explore why keeping server software up to date is an important part of keeping servers secure, stable and efficient.

What elements of server software require regular updates?

To maintain high performance, stability and security of servers, it is important to regularly update all key software components. Let's take a look at which elements need to be updated in a timely manner and why.

Operating system (Linux, Windows Server)

The OS update includes vulnerability fixes, improved compatibility with new hardware, and performance optimizations. Operating system developers regularly release patches aimed at eliminating critical bugs that can be used by hackers for attacks.

Web servers (Apache, Nginx, LiteSpeed)

Web servers process HTTP requests, making websites available. Web server updates allow:

  • Eliminate vulnerabilities used for DDoS attacks and hacks,
  • optimize work with modern protocols (e.g. HTTP/3),
  • reduce server load due to improved algorithms for processing requests.

Databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB)

Databases contain critical information and their protection is paramount. Outdated versions can be subject to SQL injection attacks, performance problems and lack of support from developers. Updates help:

  • fix critical vulnerabilities,
  • improve performance through optimized query processing algorithms,
  • improve handling of indexes, transactions, and server load.

Programming languages (PHP, Python, Node.js)

Modern web applications and server-side scripts depend on programming languages. Older versions of PHP, Python and other languages can lose support, leaving them vulnerable to attack. Updates allow:

  • utilize new features and improved libraries,
  • reduce server load due to optimized code,
  • Eliminate vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers.

Control panels (cPanel, Plesk, ISPmanager)

Server control panels provide convenient administration, but outdated versions can be a security weakness. Control Panel Updates:

  • improve usability and add new features,
  • fix bugs that affect the servers,
  • improve protection against web and API attacks.

Regularly updating all of these elements helps avoid serious security, performance and compatibility issues, making the server infrastructure more reliable and resilient.

Risks of using outdated server software

Failure to regularly update server software can lead to a host of problems, from performance degradation to serious cyber threats. Let's take a look at the main risks of using outdated server software.

Cyber threats and hacks

One of the main risks is vulnerability to hacker attacks. Outdated software does not receive patches for detected vulnerabilities, making the server an easy target for attackers. This can lead to:

  • leakage of confidential data, including customers' personal data,
  • installation of malware (miners, viruses, trojans),
  • using the server for DDoS attacks on other resources,
  • complete loss of control of the system due to exploitation of vulnerabilities.

If a server is running an outdated version of PHP or MySQL, hackers can use known exploits to inject malicious code and steal data.

Reduced productivity

Older versions of server software are usually not optimized for today's workloads and technologies. This leads to:

  • increased processing time for requests,
  • high consumption of server resources,
  • slowing down the loading speed of web pages.

As a result, the site may slow down and its owners may pay more for additional resources instead of simply upgrading the server software.

Incompatibility with new technologies

Today's technology requires updated software. Using outdated versions can lead to:

  • inability to work with actual libraries and APIs,
  • problems with support of modern security standards (TLS 1.3, HTTP/3),
  • conflicts when integrating with new services.

If the server is running an older version of OpenSSL, it will not be able to support modern encryption algorithms, thus jeopardizing data security.

SEO problems

The speed and stability of the server directly affect the ranking of the site in search engines. If the server software is outdated and the site loads slowly, this leads to:

  • increase in bounce rate (users close the page due to long loading time),
  • decrease in positions in Google and other search engines,
  • loss of traffic and customers.

Google takes into account Core Web Vitals, in which loading speed plays a key role. If the server fails to handle requests, the site loses its competitive position.

Search engine sanctions and blocking

If a server is infected with malicious code due to vulnerabilities in outdated software, search engines may flag the site as dangerous and exclude it from being displayed. This leads to:

  • blocking the site on Google Safe Browsing,
  • warnings to users when they try to access the site,
  • decreasing the trust of clients and partners.

If a site is infected with malware due to vulnerabilities in an older version of WordPress or PHP, Google may remove it from searches and antivirus programs will start blocking access.

The use of outdated server software poses serious threats to both security and business processes. Hackers are actively looking for vulnerabilities in legacy systems, and search engines and clients demand speed, stability and security. To avoid these problems, it is important to regularly update your server software and keep it up to date.

What is the right way to update server software?

Upgrading server software requires a smart approach to avoid bugs, incompatibilities or data loss. Let's look at the main steps of secure server software upgrade.

Regular monitoring of updates

To keep the server secure and stable, it is important to keep track of new software releases. This can be done with the help of:

  • subscriptions to developer mailing lists (e.g. OpenSSL, Apache, PHP),
  • monitoring repositories and official sites,
  • notification systems in server control panels (e.g. ISPmanager, cPanel).

Automated monitoring allows you to quickly learn about the release of critical security updates and quickly apply them.

Creating backups before upgrading

Before installing any updates, you should create a backup copy (backup) of important data and configurations. This will help to quickly restore the system in case of failures.
Recommended backup methods:

  • Full server backup - creating an image of the entire system.
  • Database backup - especially important for CMS-based sites (WordPress, Joomla).
  • Saving configuration files - so that you can roll back changes.

Example: before upgrading MySQL, it is important to save the database dump (mysqldump -u root -p database_name > backup.sql).

Testing updates in a test environment

Before installing critical updates on a production server, it is recommended to test them in an isolated test environment (staging). This will allow you to:

  • check compatibility of the new version with current services,
  • make sure there are no bugs,
  • to test performance.

The test environment can be deployed using Docker or virtual machines.

Automating updates

To simplify the upgrade process and avoid human errors, you can automate the installation of new versions using special tools:

  • Cron - allow you to run updates on a schedule.
  • Ansible, Puppet, Chef are configuration management systems that centralize software updates across multiple servers.
  • Auto-updates in repositories - for example apt upgrade (Debian/Ubuntu) or yum update (CentOS).

An example of automatic package updates in Linux:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Automation helps reduce the burden on administrators and minimize the risks associated with outdated software.

Proper server software upgrades are not just about installing new versions, but a strategic process that includes monitoring, backups, testing and automation. This approach allows you to minimize risks and ensure stable server operation without unexpected failures.

What should I do if updates cause errors?

Despite all precautions, server software upgrades can sometimes cause errors, service failures, or incompatibility with installed modules. Let's see how to minimize the consequences and quickly fix possible problems.

Problem diagnosis

The first step is to analyze the error logs to help determine the cause of the failure. The logs can be found in the following places:

  • Linux system logs: /var/log/syslog, /var/log/messages.
  • Web server logs: /var/log/nginx/error.log or /var/log/apache2/error.log.
  • Database logs: /var/log/mysql/error.log.
  • PHP Logs: depending on the configuration (php.ini), the path can be /var/log/php_errors.log.

Analyzing the logs will allow you to understand which server component stopped working correctly after the upgrade.

An example of viewing the last 50 lines of the error log in Nginx:

tail -n 50 /var/log/nginx/error.log

If the errors are due to incompatibility of the new software with the current settings, you can try temporarily changing the configuration or rolling back the update.

Roll back changes and return to previous version

If the upgrade has caused serious problems, it is important to get the server back up and running quickly.

Ways to roll back updates:

  1. Using backups - if a backup was created before the upgrade, you can restore the system from it.
  2. Package rollback in Linux - using package managers:
    Debian/Ubuntu:
    sudo apt-get install --reinstall <package name>=<old_version>
    CentOS/RHEL:
    sudo yum downgrade <package name>
  3. Rollback web server configuration - if the problem is in Nginx or Apache settings, you can restore the previous configuration file from backup and restart the service.

Example of returning an old version of Nginx:

sudo apt-get install --reinstall nginx=1.18.0-0ubuntu1

Compatibility with legacy modules

Sometimes updates can break third-party modules that have not yet been adapted to the new version of the server software. In this case, you can:

  • Find alternative modules that support the new version.
  • Temporarily use an older version of the module if possible.
  • Wait for the incompatible component to be updated and contact its developers if necessary.

Example: after a PHP update, some extensions may need to be reinstalled, such as:

sudo apt install php-xml php-mbstring php-curl

Contacting hosting technical support

If the problem is not solved by yourself, you can always contact the support of your hosting provider. Quality hosting offers 24/7 technical support, which will help you deal with critical errors.

Before contacting support, it is recommended that you prepare:

  • A description of the problem and a list of recent updates.
  • Output errors from logs.
  • Server data (OS, software version, settings).

While server software updates can cause errors, they can be minimized through diagnostics, backups, and testing. In the event of problems, it is important to be able to quickly roll back changes or seek professional help.

sudo yum downgrade <package name>

sudo apt-get install --reinstall <package name>=<old_version>

Conclusion

Regular server software updates are not just a recommendation, but a necessary practice to ensure stability, security and high performance. Modern websites and online services operate in a dynamic environment where vulnerabilities can appear on a daily basis.

Neglecting updates can lead to serious consequences, including:

  • Cyberattacks and data breaches - hackers are actively exploiting vulnerabilities in outdated hacking software.
  • Performance drop - older versions of software run less efficiently, which slows down the server.
  • Compatibility issues - new technologies may not be supported by legacy systems.
  • Loss of search engine positions - search engines evaluate the security and speed of a website, which affects SEO.

To minimize the risks, set up an update process and make it a regular part of server administration:

  1. Keep up to date - set up notifications or automatic updates for critical components.
  2. Make backups - Before installing updates, make backups so you can roll back changes quickly.
  3. Test updates - test them on test servers first to avoid production system failures.
  4. Use reliable hosting - choose a provider that provides timely infrastructure updates and offers 24/7 technical support.

Don't put off upgrades until later - make them a priority and protect your server infrastructure today!