Friday, November 20, 2009 at 9:30 AM
Webmaster level: AllOne of the great things about working at Google is that we get to take advantage of an enormous amount of computing power to do some really cool things. One idea we tried out was to let webmasters know about their potentially hackable websites. The initial effort was successful enough that we thought we would take it one step further by expanding our efforts to cover other types of web applications—for example, more content management systems (CMSs), forum/bulletin-board applications, stat-trackers, and so on.
This time, however, our goal is not just to isolate vulnerable or hackable software packages, but to also notify webmasters about newer versions of the software packages or plugins they're running on their website. For example, there might be a Drupal module or Joomla extension update available but some folks might not have upgraded. There are a few reasons a webmaster might not upgrade to the newer version and one of the reasons could be that they just don't know a new version exists. This is where we think we can help. We hope to let webmasters know about new versions of their software by sending them a message via Webmaster Tools. This way they can make an informed decision about whether or not they would like to upgrade.
One of the ways we identify sites to notify is by parsing source code of web pages that we crawl. For example, WordPress and other CMS applications include a generator meta tag that specifies the version number. This has proven to be tremendously helpful in our efforts to notify webmasters. So if you're a software developer, and would like us to help you notify your users about newer versions of your software, a great way to start would be to include a generator meta tag that tells the version number of your software. If you're a plugin or a widget developer, including a version number in the source you provide to your users is a great way to help too.
We've seen divided opinions over time about whether it's a good security practice to include a version number in source code, because it lets hackers or worm writers know that the website might be vulnerable to a particular type of exploit. But as Matt Mullenweg pointed out, "Where [a worm writer's] 1.0 might have checked for version numbers, 2.0 just tests [a website's] capabilities...". Meanwhile, the advantage of a version number is that it can help alert site owners when they need to update their site. In the end, we tend to think that including a version number can do more good than harm.
We plan to begin sending out the first of these messages soon and hope that webmasters find them useful! If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to comment here.
182 comments:
How can we, as developers, inform google to handle our cms version numbers?
It's good idea. But what about blogger? Will google sends a notification for any newly released features in blogger right in webmaster account so user can shift to it?
Cool. Why do people make worms?
Good reason not to use CMS.
That`s a great idea. I have many sites, each of them in Webmaster tools, but not each of them updated to the latest version (sometimes I just forget).
This seems to be another great tool to help me administer my sites.
hmmmmm!
I think that that is pretty cool.
Thanks "G" ;)
Good reason yes to CMS
Where will the messages go? Our gmail accounts? Messages in the Webmaster tools?
This is an AWESOME idea.
hmm the idea is cool.
helpful for those guyz with lots of sites
http://www.envyen.com
I do not use version number on my wordpress blog.
When I have started wordpress blog from blogspot, I faced problem of spamming etc. So, I thought about security and did whatever I can do for my self hosted wordpress security.
I would like to know if this new tool will be avaible for typo3 cms.
Great idea, I think you will find support for this in the Drupal community. Should be an optional module though.
Whilst including version numbers in meta tags seems a good idea, I can't help but think that it just provides hackers with an easy way to find sites vulnerable to newly discovered exploits?
Personally I think it would be extremely helpful to have this alerting feature. Thanks
Great information but I am curious that why bloggers want to create worms?
This is a wonderful idea! Recently we did inventory on our clients' web sites and boy! was that out of hand.
Great idea.
"The only thing that I can promise will keep your blog secure today and in the future is upgrading" [Matt M]
I am waiting for the NOTIFICATIONS !!
so much info thanks
https://jeftineaviokarte.com
I don't think removing version numbers from the html source is a real security feature. But adding them is none either. In my experience hack occur rarely through core bugs but through outdated modules. We can't add all the modules' version numbers to have Google remind the webmaster of addons. This is a feature that has to be integrated by the software itself.
Steffen Voss
Zikula Foundation, Steering Committee
This is a crazy idea since revealing version number in meta tags is an attack vector. It makes finding exploitable sites more easy and even automated. The correct way would be to create an API that web frameworks can interface with. Or if it's something in Google webmaster tools, then an API than a special URL that Google can call to query information, secured by some authentication set in Webmaster tools.
This effort is not the same as making browsing safe since you are just querying requests from the browser against your phishing/hacked sites database. In this case you are asking websites to reveal version information that can and will and is being used by hackers and script kiddies.
Thank you, it is a good tool to use, may be a lot of people who need them.
I really appreciate your posting it's really informative for me hope you always update more often and share to us what you know. Thanks
Just got my first notification for my blog :) nice!
I have the message but I am running the latest version of word press. 3.1.3
Yo me he sorprendido al recibir un email de parte de google informandome que uno de mis webs no ha sido actualizada a la nueva version de wordpress.
Realmente es excelente servicio.
I've updated my personal websites, but I cannot update the websites of my clients without being authorized and paid for this.
regards.
@ Rick Vidallon,
please define your idea about "CMS"...
Are you using a static website or your content is managed using php and my/sql?
There are substantial differences, just google a bit ;-)
If you use a self made html generator, using php and mysql, is a CMS... anyway! :)
Will version information that Google scans for effect SEO results?
I just got an email saying I was running an older version of WP, but that is incorrect. I have been up to date for at least a week.
You are right, but upgrading my wordpress site to latest version would make some site plugins not to work. So without those critical plugins, site may work in unusual way.
What do you say about this?
I just received a message from the webmaster tools saying that my version of WordPress is not the latest. And yet, it is the latest.
Hola he recibido dos nitificaciones para que actualize a la última versión de worpress y los dos sitios estan actualizados a la última versión. No entiendo.
why dont you focus on search and not focus on what everybody is doing.
its a webmasters job to webmaster their site.
Seems Google is getting a little to nosey if you ask me
Thank you Google for sending such a notice however as you have already de-index this site and nearly 60 others I am not quite sure why it is so important to update it. This is rather similar to the site you de-indexed that you took the trouble to write to me ( yes a letter in the mail from Google) telling me I could spam my pages with more Ads by Google shortly before you removed that site from the index too. Seem any communication from Googel is folloed shortly after by removal from your index. Please stop contacting me.
Great feature. Good security helps everyone. I have a suggestion for improving the execution.
First please consider one of your target Personas is "google eye Mary" Mary takes everything Google says very serious but she is not a tech super star.
Here is the problem:
1. On Friday June 18, Mary updates her site to wordpress 3.1.3. This is the newest update.
2. Sunday June 20, Mary gets this email from "Google" stating "Your site appears to be running an older version of WordPress."
3. Mary is now super confused. "Did her update go haywired?" "Was her update actually malware?" Mary is in a Jam. She can not stop worrying about this "Google" email.
4. Mary gives up never to update her blog again.
Solution:
1. The solution is to timestamp the email. Change the email to "ON THURSDAY JUNE 16, Your site appears to be running an older version of WordPress."
2. Also think end to end. Consider adding the following to your letter. Click here and google which check that your update was successful.
Yes this actually happened to me. I update http://wildeffect.com on Friday and got the email afterwards. Correlation vs causation.
I like the service-- only problem is, the notification I just got was for a site I updated four days ago. So the notice wasn't timely or accurate.
Good feature. Helpful!
I received a notification "WordPress Update Available" *after* I had recently updated the site to the latest version (Version 3.1.3). There may have been a crawl or email delay. It would be useful if the email message indicated a "detection date/time" (like several GWT features do)...or, even better, what version was detected and what version was expected.
Cheers.
Dave
Good feature. Helpful.
On 6/18/2011, I received a "WordPress Update Available" notification from Google. However, when I received the email, the site had already been recently updated to the latest Word Press (Version 3.1.3). I presume there was a crawl delay or an email delay. I seem to remember we had already been up and running on the new Word Press version for a day or two. Made me wonder if the upgrade wasn’t clean. We had used Word Press to do the upgrade instead of Blue Host’s Simple Scripts, which did leave a lingering red banner message that we needed to clear up…probably benign enough, but the delayed email notification made me wonder if our upgrade was pristine.
It would be useful if the email notification had a "detected on" date like several GWT informational features.
Moreover, it would be great if the email notification reported the actual and expected version numbers. The page source for our page contains [meta name="generator" content="WordPress 3.1.3" /]. However, if the detection is based on other information, then the “detected on” date would be sufficient.
My wordpress is the latest version, not sure how they think I'm running an outdated one.
On the subject of hacking, hackers definitely target out-of-date stuff. See the massive list of CVE's for osCommerce for example.
Does this mean you shouldnt run a CMS? NO. Often, custom code is more vulnerable. Just keep your site up to date and don't install shady plugins (99% of the joomla sites that get hacked are due to insecure plugins).
Thank you for reminder. I just received message from google about this for my blog http://fxbiz.co.cc
Hey guys!
Nice feature ;) I just received an email from you, it is a great reminder :)
Thanks ! ;)
I had updated my WordPress to 3.1.3 even before Google Search Quality team sent me a message.I wonder if 3.1.3 is the newest version of WordPress. Thanks Google for your message. :-)
Obrigado pelo alerta, atualizei meu wordpress para a versão atual como foi aconselhado.
Just got a message saying my WP blog was out of date, but I updated it over a week ago.
These emails need to be current else it's just confusing.
Good going. I've just got one of these messages. As I work with a real big bunch of sites, it's very nice to have someone pointing out if I've missed any of them.
Great move! Go go go!
Hello, I have receive a message saying to upgrade the wordpress to a newer vision which i did ages ago before me a message? what does that me?
I got the same message, and my WP is 3.1.3.
Wow,it is so cool
I also received this message even tho I already had latest WP installed (3.1.3).
I get the message, but I'm using last wordpress version
May I beem receving the mesage just because my landing pages plain html?
I just received a message from the webmaster tools saying that my version of WordPress is not the latest. And yet, it is the latest.
http://checchia.net
CMS users know better Google. If we upgraded everytime there was one, half of our sites would be DOA because many of the vital plugins are on a development schedule that lags way behind the main CMS software.
A push to remove version numbers would be more helpful because it would force hacker to have a more complex approach to hacking sites because they would never know what version of the software they were dealing with. Besides how many of them really want to be hacking on mostly obscure blogs and webpages?
That good and bad if Google planning on penalizing the sites which do not update. There are many reasons why a web master, like me thinks twice before updating.
I have my site templates customized to the last bit. So without a local test I can't just update to the new version.
There are definitely other web masters have their other reasons not to hurry and update those sites.
Also consider the frequent updates the wordpress releases. It it hard for the webmaster to keep up with them.
I agree with Sathees. When we are using open source software that are fully customized according to our needs, an upgrade can reset the changes to the source code. If the software is not sending the meta tag 'version', then we are giving less information to the hacker. I think that is a good idea.
receiving warning even i installed latest update
Useless bells and whistles. We kindly ask google not to track CMS versions and stars in the sky. Just correct your search engine and kick the spam out of the SERP.
I think it is much better to write your own CMS.
I had updated my WordPress blog ( nastarband.com ) to 3.1.3 even before Google Search Quality team sent me a message. Please reindex on google.com my blog, thank you.
great feature, thank google
If we are already get notices from our webhost provider how do we turn off these redundant messages.
Most providers of unsolicited emails offer a way to unsubscribe.
I don't see where we can do that (unless I've missed it)
Can whoever is publishing these please incorporate a highly visible option to unsubscribe? Thanks.
I don't understand.
My blog is running Wordpress 3.2 the very last version,and I just got the notification saying to update it.
Something went wrong ?
Great feature,..
but me too...
I received a notification "WordPress Update Available" *after* I had recently updated the site 2 days ago to the latest version (Version 3.2).
All my sites that I am getting these notices on are already updated. I hope you are keeping true track of the updates available.
The newest version of Wordpress needs the default install of php to be upgraded for the Wordpress update to work.
This may be a problem for shared hosting people. Let your hosting provider know.
If you are running your own virtual or dedicated server go to www.server-setup.net to learn how to use yum to upgrade your php and MySQL to their current release.
Hallo i don't think about that. Perhabs i upgrade 10 minutes after new 3.2 was avail. I think this information is not interest becaus eit comes in the admin toolbar automaticly.
This information must be quick at the Plugin developer because there was more interest to run all the plugins.
Regards
Thomas
These emails can be turned off in Google Webmaster tools.
Same problem, updated to wp 3.2 a few hours after it went out (from the night of july 4 to july 5).
Received the notification on july 7..
This needs some fixing..
I think the notifications are great because security is a real concern but I do have the latest WP update 3.2 on all my sites and I got notices today for 2 saying they weren't updated. I think the notification should be at time of detection.
This is retarded, I already know what versions my websites are at since most control panels now tell you if updates are available, as well as WordPress itself tells when you login the admin area ... I don't need more email or more work to do something that is already being done.
Plus, the notifications was incorrect, I do have the latest version of wordpress running already, so all they did is freak me out thinking some zero day thing was happening to my sites...
Ocala Website Designs LLC
thanks, google for this note
we used the actually version 3.2 of wordpress, but we became also this email. why?
Wir nutzen die aktuelle Wordpress-Version 3.2, haben aber trotzdem die eMail bekommen, wir würden eine veraltete Verson benutzen... Warum?
You have sent me a couple warning messages to upgrade my WordPress site, however I am not using WordPress on this site and never have. How do I let you know this and make sure that I am not dinged for your mis-classification?
I'm getting notices for sites that I'm no longer involved with and that I've long since deleted from my WMT account. Is there any way to opt OUT of these things?
Fantastic idea to make these posts and inform us. May i offer my full support and feedback. I shall investigate the info on wordpress security issues, and update all my sites, although any of my online commerce sites run the store through a seperate server run by amazon.com called ecwid, which doesnt endanger or even have the need to allow people to join up in wordpress. I recommend the ecwid program to ecommerce entrepreneurs who use wordpress, to avoid security issues.
I also received an email this morning suggesting my Wordpress install was out of date - which would be great if I had a Wordpress install…
If you're using popular code, you're a more attractive target to malware writers, but also an easy target for a potentially helpful service like this one. Matt makes a good point about good malware not looking for ids but directly testing the presence of the exploit - hiding or obfuscating version info is futile.
I also got a couple of messages after I had already updated my WordPress installation. Perhaps the answer is a message that says "you use popular software on some of your sites that occasionally expose exploits to malware writers - keeping that software up to date is the best way to close the exploits. *Click here to see which of your sites Google recommends for updates*" and only then list the out-of-date software observations?
I will update if you pay someone to fix the theme and plugins to work with the new updates. Stop sending me mail, don't send my clients mail. You make them panic for nothing.
I'm just wondering what kind of drugs you guys are doing? I received a notification that a site of mine was running an older version of WP and needed updating. The problem is that the site is not nor has it ever been a WordPress site, so I'm just wondering what's going on over there?
I also received such messages, but my site (musichere.org) is not running on Wordpress. If anybody from Google is reading this comment, please check your detection tools.
Tengo la ultima version del CMS, e igualmente me envia los mensajes de actualizacion. =O
I JUST verified a site to Google Webmaster Central and it sent me a notification that it is not running the latest version of WordPress.
I verified that I am running 3.2.1 and that the META Creator tag shows Wordpress 3.2.1.
So something is out of wack. At first I thought I was being phished.
thank For notification
Stop spamming me, I'm not using wordpress at all.
Thanks for Google Notifications Email, bounce from Crawler and /or Google Analytics. But My server is Rental. WordPress 3.2.1 System Requirements was not enough. It's a PHP version is 5.2.17. But requirements 5.2.4. mmm.... And I haven't root and Admin-role on Server.
En mi caso no se ajusta a la realidad, tengo todos los sistemas CMS actualizados y me sale como si estuvieran desactualizados.
I have 40+ websites... about 30 are on Wordpress.org s/w. I'm getting these notifications all the time to upgrade to 3.2.1 WP - but, I've done that weeks ago for the sites. Nice to see something being done, but the implementation - the sending of emails is drastically delayed. I'd like to see it up to speed and helpful, rather than after the fact and pointless.
I think its great that google lets you know about updates.
False Positive Report from http://xss.cx
Comment: It would be great to have a .. Remove me from these future notifications..
XSS.CX... its _not_ running WordPress.. but a parser may be tricked into finding such results.. and such FP's....
You may need to check on the this software. It seems to think I am running a version of WP that I have upgraded from long ago. Not sure how useful this is, as the Dashboard lets me know about new stable releases already.
wow...
google lets me know new update...
cool
Google is still sending me these emails on a regular basis and I have never used WordPress on that site.
At this point, I consider Google's emails unwanted spam, especially since I have no way of communicating with the sender or to unsubscribe.
hi. i just receive an email from google to inform me to update with the new version of wordpress for curatenie-totala.ro.
:)
but this website is only html . no wordpress. :).
it is better to install wordpress platform on this website ?
thx.
I just got a notification about my site using an old version of wordpress but it isn't using wordpress.
Great idea.
I am sick of receiving these alerts for all the sites I own. How can I turn the damn things off?
Hello
When you send message to inform about old Wordpress version, can you please put the complete subdomain ?
Beacause you only send the main domain, we are a shared hosting compagny , we cant find users without full subdomain name
Regards
Jeremy
Azote.org
Hi! My site (www.ylsoftware.com) is used self-written CMS, but google detected him as wordpress. Can you help me?
What I don't understand is Google's love affair with wordpress and CMS. Wordpress spam sites are a dime a dozen. In fact, Panda 2.5 ensured that almost every low quality wordpress site on the web is now beating us in the rankings. So now I have to put all of my well-designed, custom content sites on a wordpress blog? Why not just tell me to eat a bullet sandwich?
I'm a blogger, why Google send to me a message tells me that important update for wordpress !!
Hi,
Not sure if you guys are aware of Wordpress that is hosted as part of the Yahoo Website Hosting Service.
Our website http://www.fashionjewelryforeveryone.com is hosted by Yahoo. Yahoo hosting also allows Wordpress blog hosting and we have our blog hosted on Yahoo Wordpress http://www.fashionjewelryforeveryone.com
I get this message when I try to upgrade Wordpress that is hosted by Yahoo Web hosting
"An updated version of WordPress is available.
You cannot update because WordPress 3.2.1 requires MySQL version 5.0 or higher. You are running version 4.1.14."
Speak to Customer Service at Yahoo Hosting he mentioned they are still looking at upgrading their mysql version. Since the mysql version is a step behind we are not able to upgrade our blog.
Hoping Google will take this into account and not penalize our website, please.
Thanks.
Gurinder Kohli (Owner)
http://www.fashionjewelryforeveryone.com
Please, can you send full subdomain on wordpress update notice ?
thank you
Just send me no more advertising for WordPress! I become mails for WordPress Updates for Domains, that did not use WordPress. I Have projects with really old Wordress hosted. This Domains never are reminded by this service.
Please do not send me more SPAM! How can I unsubscribe? This kind of mails are illegal, because I don't want them!
Google keeps telling me my version of wordpress is outdated but its not.
Why is this?
Just received an email saying I have 3.1.3.
I logged in and double-checked that I have 3.2.6.
I've removed all of my sites from WMT and still these nuisance emails come!
I never asked for these alerts in the first place. They are spam.
Google: next time you have a "bright idea" for a new feature, give users the option of using it or not using it. Don't force them to use it.
I would love to update WordPress. Not able to do so because web host (Yahoo) is dragging their feet in upgrading MYSQL to version 5.0.
I would love to update WordPress but not able to so until my web host (Yahoo) updates their MYSQL to version 5.0. Until then, I continue to get email from Google telling me my WordPress is outdated. Can't do anything about it until Yahoo updates MYSQL.
I keep getting notifications from Google stating it appears that I have Wordpress version 3.1, but I actually have 3.2.1, the latest version. It's actually annoying getting these emails over and over again, when it is not warranted. Is this why my Google rating went down to zero?
I just received a message from the webmaster tools saying that my version of WordPress is not the latest. But it is the latest 3.2.1, my domain is:
http://www.stratcog.com
Why do I still get the alert?
Heloo,
i just added my website seyfi.org to google webmaster but, after that i recevied a message who ask me to update my wordpress blog, but i jsut installed my blog and this allready lates version 3.2.1, i also checked on wordpress.org. Anyone have any idea bout this ?
Some of us use false version numbers as a pseudo honeypot to catch bad guys looking for specific exploits. It turns out you can have as many such meta tags as you like. If you are one such user of meta data, don't forget to disable the google notices, or you will often be told you are running an old version, regardless of reality :)
That`s a great idea, nice feature.
But if I upgrading my wordpress site to latest version would make some site plugins not to work. Google not identify wersion of plugins :(
Thanks for notifications
As I can see, this feature is NOT WORKING correctly.
I have many Drupal sites and some custom coded sites. Most of them are up to date, but some.
I received a message from GWT yesterday saying one of my WORDPRESS sites has an update available. Weird.
I don't have any Wordpress site.
Also,I don't think Google can identify Drupal modules' version numbering. They are included in .info files and they are simply blocked in .htaccess files.
The only way (for a stranger, like Googlebot) to find version numbering is robots.txt file or CHANGELOG.txt file that contain timestamps and version info.
Cool feature anyway.
My site is not design on typical CMS, but Google wrote me about "You Wordpress is obsolete, please setup a new version of Wordpress"... But i design my site in Visual Studio by ASP.NET technology... What can I do?
(sorry for terrible english)
I think any feedback from Google is helpful. I wish they would also give feedback if a site ( like mine) is encountering problems with the Panda algorithm update and how we can improve. But anything to stop malware has got to be good. Www.psychics.co.uk
VERY 'Un-cool' - I get notifications for WordPress which I don't even run, intact I don't use any 3rd party CMS at all!
We're seeing these for wordpress but all our hosted sites are up to date 3.2.1. Its reporting on a our main domain, so wondering if this could either be:-
1. a false positive?
2. picking up a customer sub domain thats not part of our sites e.g. .mydomain.com?
This feature is not helpful unless it includes the exact URL of the alleged out-of-date software.
My website isn't Wordpress based. I received the message on the 20th and on the 20th, we lost 5,000 visitors and have every day since. It appears we've been penalised for not updating our non wordpress blog?!
My wordpress has been up to date since inception. Today I got notification that says I am running an old version of wordpress. One that had been outdated for about a year.
Either some mistake or there is something stuck in my cache. Either way, thanks for wasting my time Google.
hi,
Thanks you,
This is a message from you I have posted (31/1/2012):
" Your site appears to be running an older version of WordPress. Google recommends that you update to the latest release. Older or unpatched software may be vulnerable to hacking or malware that can hurt your users. To download the latest release, visit the WordPress download page. "
While I got to site updates,
Can try to help me?
The name of the site:
http://www.abbasfun.com
Google misunderstud my software. I'm not currently publishing with wordpress, as Google tells me: "Sul tuo sito sembra essere in esecuzione una versione precedente di WordPress"
How is it possible
Is anyone who has gotten this message and is indeed using an older version of WordPress at their site noticing a drop in their rankings in the SERPS for the keywords they are targeting?
unknown while update version new google chỉ số fast hơn not
I've updated the wordpress version 3.3.1. but I will check on why webmaster tools and otherwise use the old version required to update it?
what if i can´t update wp because the php version on my server is to old will google rank my site down because of this?
Google says I have Wordprss but I dont. So how do I get rid of this message?
Nice idea, but you showed me a message, i would use Typo3, thats not correct, I thought it shouldnt be so complicated to difference between Wordpress and Typo3 ;)
My website uses an UP TO DATE version of Wordpress. I have now received three (3) notifications telling me to update even if my wordpress is UP TO DATE. And since the first notification, I have lost the half of my visitors from Gooogle Search. Thank you Google.
J'ai reçu un message de mise à jour wordpress 3.1.3. Mais je n'utilise pas wordpress sur mon site (je n'utilise jamais de CMS). Si vous pouviez m'éclairer sur la messagerie de webmaster tools pour le site http://www.moins-depenser.com merci d'avance.
I received a message from wordpress 3.1.3 update. But I do not use wordpress on my site (I never use CMS). If you could enlighten me on email webmaster tools for website http://www.moins-depenser.com thank you in advance.
I just got a warning that my Joomla version is out of date, on a SharePoint site (no Joomla.)
What gives?
My URL:www.gp-jnet.com and I fnished instal wp 3.3.1 but my web not online.
Please help me.
Nice to receive, but we have several WordPress installations under one domain name. Is there a way to find out which URL(s) were detected?
This is bothering me. Every month since January, I have received the same message, that my website is running 3.1.1. But I am not running Wordpress.
My concern is that I am being penalised, for running an old version of WP, when I'm not even running Wordpress?
Hope, that somebody responsible might read this. My website is running Typo3. We are going to make an update to a higher version, but this is not done in a day. While informing us, Google gives us at the same time a penalty. As a matter of fact, our system isn´t too old and we did every security updates from the version. And moreover we have to take care that the newest Typo3 version is really the best for running this site Sometimes you have to wait for the following better Update. I can´t understand this management of penalties of sites with best content former beeing on top positions, without giving us time to check the posibilites and to do the updates. It would be fair to offer webmasters a posibilty to answer to such a mail in their accounts.
I have the latest addition but I am still getting messages saying I need to upgrade?
The notifications from Google should contain the FULL URL to the suspected out of date installation.
Google is sending out false notices concerning WordPress. In addition, you are sending out duplicates and even triplicates of those false notices.
Today, I received 3 identical notices that my blog is running an old version of WordPress, which is incorrect.
This is the second time this has happened.
I would like the Webmaster Tools interface to give me the option of de-selecting receiving notices from Google about WordPress, as I don't need or want to be notified by Google about my WordPress version's status.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
It would also be nice if Webmaster Tools were to have a contact form built in.
We´ve run an update a few days ago, but still the site seems to be downgraded in google search. Moreover I see a lot of keywords and combinations in my search statistics that never have been used in my texts and don´t fit to the topic of my site at all.
Good idea BUT. But unfortunately it's not working! It keeps informing me that I have old Joomla! version despite that I updated to the newest one over 2 weeks ago.
Please do some changes to fix that.
I like this feature but, since we're hosting serveral web sites from other departments that are not under our control, it will be a lot more helpful if the message includes the exact URL of the alleged out-of-date software.
We have been running Wordpress 3.3.2 for several weeks but just got another "Wordpress Update Avialable" email.
Anyone have an idea of how long it takes Google to recognize that the version is current?
Just to inform you that http://www.mycity.rs/ DOES NOT use Wordpress - it is a custom CMS (based on the phpBB 2.x) - so you should check why your software think it is a Wordpress...
I used to have a Joomla website last year. We replaced it by a WordPress in january, and I receive since mars the new "Joomla Update Available" messages every month ! There is a problem, and I can't help it...
I'm afraid this is messing up with my indexation.
I am receiving notices that the WordPress is out of date on one of my sites problem is it isn't out of date. Nice feature if only timely if not timely wastes my time
I continue to get the notification after updating WordPress as well. Please recognize I have updated.
We received a warning from google for http://www.ifindwholesalers.com suggesting that we are using an older version of wordpress, but we are using the latest version. Why would that happen?
Thanks.
I continue to get the notification after updating WordPress as well. Please recognize I have updated.
I've updated in April.
This notification system is broken. I run joomla 2.5 on my site and have done for months, yet google keeps sending notices that I need to update from 1.7.
very recently google also flagged my site as 'may be compromised' and typically they are right about that, but they have now started reporting that erroneously as well.
Good one google
Dear Google Team,
another message with the information, that I run Typo3 4.3. No, we don´t. We use the actual version 4.5.1 with long term support of security updates. at the site stylinrooms.de. Please fix that now. I wonder, where you get the technical data from. So it would be nice to get deeper information on this topic.
Personally I find any such email to be annoying and, more over, creepy.
Google, STOP BEING EVIL. These emails ARE EVIL.
I have wp 3.4 which is the current WP version but these warning emails keep coming. The meta generator tag is in the dom so whats up with the Google program that does this?
www.lonhosford.com
I've just gotten an email about an outdated wordpress install. But it's a false alert, the wordpress and all plugins are entirely updated.
do anyone know how to disable those emails? I have many wordpress installed sites and I donot want to upgrade after every new release of wordpress version. I have custom themes and plugins I am afraid if those custom scripts won't run in newer version. And how google gets my email?
The captcha image of this comment box is really hard to unerstand.
There was a site more than 3 years ago I had worked for. I no longer work for this site and it is not under my webmaster account.
Yet every month or so I get this warning email.
Please provide a way to get this message stopped or directed at the current site manager / owner.
Updating TYPO3 isnt that easy all the time ... it cost TIME and some Extensions dont work with newer versions ... so NOW you are BLOCKING MY SITE allthough all MALWARE is gone. GIVE ME BACK THE FREE WEB ... I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS
I do not use any CMS, but Google insists that I update a version of Typo3. I do not use Typo3. What can I do?
"WordPress Update Available" - but my site (www dot tarhelyem dot hu) is not WP, just a custom page. How can I get rid of these false alerts? Thanks: Balazs
I'm hiding the generator tag, but have Wordpress 3.4.1 running, which is the latest.
Still I'm getting messages from Google that Wordpress is not up-to-date.
Please fix that, cause I'm realy running Wordpress up-to-date.
I am encountering the same problem with my www.spirulina.pl website. It has been updated long time ago but keep getting notification that the version I am running is outdated. Please fix it as the way it is working now creates uncertainty.
My website is custom too and message "WordPress Update Available" starts to be annoying.
Здравствуйте!
На связи владелец сайта http://mi-games.ru. Сайт по мини-играм, дополнен рекламой Google.
1. Да, на сайте установлена устаревшая версия WordPress. Две попытки обновить версию до последней закончились неудачей: сайт просто перестает существовать. Обновление осуществляли сотрудники хостинга, но не получилось. Пришлось вернуться к сохраненной версии.
2. Подскажите, что можно сделать?
С уважением, владелец сайта
i have also updated but i received that message.. i think this idea is failed... plz update and advance
10x g team! I think it good idea! Old soft - bad soft! Hepl people to upades!
Il faut arrêter avec ces messages pour faire la mise à jour si un site est chez Free, il ne peut pas avoir WordPress 3.4.1, la dernière version possible est WordPress 3.1.4.
I receive messages about new version of Wordpress but my site had never used Wordpress as a platform.
How to disable these irritating notifications?
How does google check version numbers. I get reports that typo3 4.4 is installed on my site. thats wrong. I'm runing 4.7.
I am getting reports that a site of mine is running WP 3.1.x when I'm running 3.4.x. I just upgraded and cleaned everything up from a pharma hack and the google results still have infected content reflected. How do I get webmaster tools to recrawl the site and stop getting these incorrect outdated WordPress warnings?
I've just received a message telling me that I should upgrade my WordPress CMS site! Very strange as my site has nothing to do with WordPress! nor does in use it in any way.
I get a notification for the update that I was softer on the domain, this I have done but still get notifications, what's the point, I had Joomla 1.7 - now the 2.5 actually last.
I got a message about my Wordpress software being out of date today which is odd because I'm currently having trouble with my webhosting service and my blog is down - meaning, I'm currently not running Wordpress at all.
While I'm here, I'm quite disappointed that my site was flagged as being a malicious site based on an erroneous report about the theme I was using and that this was not immediately removed when the error was discovered.
I also just received 2 emails saying my site was using WordPress 3.1.2 when it is really running WordPress 3.4.2. Why does Google think my site isn't using the most recent version???
You should try http://www.neveroutdated.com
We have developped this tool specifically to manage this use case.
Register (for free) to NeverOudated, enter your email, the blogs URL (as many as you want) and install a small plugin.
Then you'll automatically be notified by mail if your Wordpress CMS is outdated.
A dashboard shows you all your configured CMS, their version and if they are up-to-date ... or not.
We plan to support other CMS in the future.
http://www.neveroutdated.com
Oh just to reiterate the comment above.
I removed site from Webmaster tools.
Still receiving notification the owner hasn't patched their wordpress.
Much as I might want them to keep their site up to date better it is nothing to do with me any more.
I received the email below from Google Search Quality Team but my website is up to date so i don't really know what they want me to do, Can anyone help on this one.
"ear site owner or webmaster of http://www.pyramidvideo.co.za/,
Your site appears to be running an older version of WordPress. Google recommends that you update to the latest release. Older or unpatched software may be vulnerable to hacking or malware that can hurt your users. To download the latest release, visit the WordPress download page.
If you have any additional questions about why you are receiving this message, Google has provided more background information in a blog post about this subject.
Best wishes,
Google Search Quality Team "
I do not get it. Some days ago I received a message about a new WP-version für http://mydomain.tld.
WP was up-to-date and already patched at this time so I didn't do anything.
Today I received a second message: There is a new WP-version for http://WWW.mydoain.tld....
Ok, it's just a message, I could delete it with one click (that's what I did of course), but still it's annoying.
My Wordpress site is up to date. I'm getting a false positive on this. It's probably because I use Wordfence to block display of the Wordpress version number.
Hi all,
I did a few days ago received the message that is used in my URL an old version of WordPress and I do aktuallisieren this. The problem is that we have never used our URLs WordPress. Maybe someone knows the problem? Is this a bug?
Thanks and regards
Fabian
You send me this notification every month, and telling me I should upgrade my Wordpress.
But, the fact is that my site http://www.mycity.rs/ is not running Wordpress at all.
It is just a phpBB forum.
Can you correct your detection, since your wrong detection could (maybe) hurt my SERP in the future?
I don't really get it - I run sites that use Joomla 1.6. Does that mean I have to upgrade these sites to Joomla 3.11? It's not that easy a task... Surely if it the most up-to-date version of Joomla 1.6 that is enough, right?
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