Business Roundup Week Ending October 25

All WPEngine’s Free Themes and Plugins Now Update from Their Servers

• WPEngine has changed the update mechanism for all of its free themes and plugins that are listed on WordPress.org.
• This list includes popular plugins like: ACF, Better Search Replace, NitroPack, WP Migrate Lite, WP Offload Media Lite, and WP Offload SES Lite.
• A one-time manual installation of these plugins is needed from the WPEngine website. Once completed, plugins will update from the WPE servers.
• Pro versions of these plugins are not affected, as they already update from WPE.
• The manual install is required because it is against WordPress.org guidelines for plugins listed in the directory to be updated from a source other than WordPress.org.
• If you host on WPEngine or Flywheel, no action is needed. Your plugins will be updated from the WPE source automatically.
• This WPE support doc provides download links and installation instructions.

US FTC Simplifies Subscription Cancellations with “Click-to-Cancel” Rules

• The days of forcing customers into phone calls and complicated click sequences to cancel digital subscriptions may be over!
• The US Federal Trade Commission has adopted a new rule requiring companies to provide a straightforward subscription cancellation process that makes it as easy to leave as it is to join.
• Businesses will now need explicit customer consent before charging for any subscription renewals, and free trials must follow the same easy cancellation guidelines.
• The regulation covers a wide spectrum of subscriptions, from gym memberships to digital subscription services (like Adobe and Amazon).
• Companies have 180 days to comply with these new regulations.
• What does this mean for agencies? (Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer)
  • Pay special attention to this rule on the FTC announcement.
  • The way people can cancel must match the way they sign up.
  • If you offer online sign-up for care plans or other subscription services, you must offer online cancellation as well.
  • If your sign-up process involves interaction with a person at your agency, the cancellation process can as well but you must respond promptly.
• Read the FTC announcement and get a good overview of the rule changes on The Verge.

Fake Plugins Delivering Malware Through Phony Browser Updates

• Hackers have successfully infiltrated over 6,000 WordPress installations in a coordinated attack that began in June.
• The campaign combines two known attack strategies named ClearFake and ClickFix to distribute info-stealing malware.
• The attack installs deceptively named plugins like “Wordfence Security Classic” and “Google SEO Enhancer” which display deceptively realistic browser update notifications and error messages to unsuspecting visitors.
• GoDaddy’s security team has identified over 20 different malicious plugin variants in this campaign.
• BleepingComputer gives details, screenshots, and in-the-wild examples of this new campaign against WordPress sites.

Worth a Look

• Have you explored Fluid Typography? This new tool makes it amazingly simple to create gradual transitions between font sizes and line heights as screen size changes.
• As Archive.org is still limited to “provisional access” as recovery from the massive attack continues, the WordPress Foundation has donated $100K as a affirmation of their continued support of the project.
• Huge files inflating your site and cPanel backups? WPShout shows you how to find them and remove them.