Global PHP security warning: what UK businesses need to check
A global cyber-security warning has put website maintenance firmly in the spotlight. BBC News reports that the UK government is checking its online services following the discovery of critical security flaws in PHP, the technology behind many websites, including WordPress.
For UK businesses, this is a reason to check who is looking after your website, what software it runs and whether the necessary security updates have been applied.
You do not need to understand the code yourself. You do need someone who can check your website and hosting properly, explain the findings and take the right action.
What has happened?
PHP runs behind the scenes on a web server, helping websites display content, process information and communicate with databases. Most visitors never see it, but it plays an essential role in how many business websites work.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has confirmed a critical security issue that could, under certain conditions, allow attackers to run commands on affected servers. Security fixes are available, and the NCSC is urging organisations to identify systems using PHP and apply the relevant updates.
The potential consequences are serious. An affected website could provide a route to stolen information, disrupted services or further access to business systems. However, using PHP does not automatically mean your website has been compromised. Your particular setup needs checking.
A WordPress update may not cover everything
If your website uses WordPress, you may be familiar with notifications asking you to update plugins, themes or WordPress itself.
PHP is a separate part of the setup, usually managed through your hosting environment. Updating WordPress alone does not confirm that the underlying PHP security issue has been addressed.
This distinction matters. A website can look perfectly normal, load quickly and have no obvious errors while still needing an important server update.
Ask your website developer or hosting provider to confirm whether your website is affected and whether the appropriate fix has been applied. A general assurance that everything is “up to date” should be backed by a specific check.
What should your business do now?
Start by confirming who is responsible for your website maintenance and hosting. If those services are provided by different companies, make sure someone is coordinating the response.
Before changes are made, check that you have a recent, recoverable backup. Updates should be followed by checks of essential features, including enquiry forms, customer logins, bookings and online payments.
Older websites may need additional work where themes, plugins or bespoke features are incompatible with a supported PHP version.
Where an update cannot be applied immediately, follow the published mitigation guidance. The NCSC advises considering taking an affected system offline if temporary protections cannot be applied promptly. Suspected compromise also needs investigation; applying a patch alone may not resolve an existing intrusion.
How Armadillo can help
At Armadillo, we help UK businesses maintain, update and improve their websites, with practical advice and hands-on support.
We can review your WordPress website, check its maintenance requirements and work with your hosting provider to establish what action is needed. Our support includes WordPress, theme and plugin updates, compatibility checks, hosting support and upgrades for older websites.
We explain what needs attention, why it matters and what the work involves, so you can make an informed decision.
Unsure whether your website needs attention? Contact Armadillo to discuss a website and hosting review. Based in Milton Keynes, we support businesses locally and across the UK.
Call 01908 299 240, email info@armadillo.uk.com or visit armadillo.uk.com to speak to our team.