Wp-DBmanager is one of my favorite plugin. I’m sure majority of us already know and uses this plugin. It makes backing up your database a snap, but apart from that, there are many other things it does which includes…
- Allows you to optimize database
- Repair your database
- Backup your database
- Restore your database
- Delete backup database
- Drop/empty tables and run selected queries
- Supports automatic scheduling of backing up
- Optimizing and repairing of database, etc.
As you can see, this little plugin does many things and in opinion, it’s a must have for all bloggers. If you don’t know about it yet, I suggest you click here now to download it. The most interesting thing is that it’s free.
But unfortunately though, for some reason’s which I don’t know, when you activate this plugin the first time, it will trigger an error by displaying a red warning across the top of all your wordpress admin screens that says…. Your Backup Folder Might be Visible to the Public.
I know that most of us will not understand the meaning of this warning as I didn’t even understood it the first time I saw it. But it’s really very important that you fix this immediately because what it says is the truth, people might be able to access your database which you know is dangerous for security reason. It sounds scary but it’s really easy to fix.
Here is How to fix Your Backup Folder Might be Visible to the Public warning.
There are two ways you can fix this. You can either use an FTP program like FileZilla to fix it or, you can also fix it directly from your hosting cpanel. You can download FileZilla for free here if you don’t have it before.
1. Ones you’ve installed FileZilla, open it and fill in your cpanel login details as shown below.
- Host is simply your domain name (exclude http://yourdomainname.com).
- Username is not your WordPress username, it is your cpanel username. If you have forgotten your cpanel login information you can find it in the new account information email your hosting provider sent to you when you signed up for your hosting package.
- Password is again your cpanel password.
Once you have filled out the three login options, Click the Quickconnect Button.
2. Once you’re connected, you will see a bunch of files that are contained in a two side by side windows as shown below.
The windows on the left contain the files on your desktop, while the ones on the right contains the files on your website. Follow this tips exactly as it is.
- On the right window scroll down and open the folder public_html.
- Ones you’ve opened that, open the folder wp-content.
- Next open the folder plugins.
- Then open the folder wp-dbmanager.
- Find the file titled htaccess.txt.
- Click and drag this file over to the left window (your desktop). This copies the file.
- Now, look at the window directly above the ones you are working with. These allow you to quickly navigate through your files. In the right hand window of this upper set scroll up until you see the folder backup-db. It will be a subfolder of wp-content.
- Open the backup-db folder.
- Now, in the lower set of window panes click on the htaccess.txt file located in the left window (the one you moved there earlier) and drag it over to the right window, making sure that you are currently in the backup-db folder.
- Rename this file .htaccess
- Return to WordPress and refresh the page. The warning notification should be gone. (Also you can delete that htaccess.txt file on your desktop now).
2. If you want to fix this directly from your hosting cpanel.
a. Login to your cpanel and click on File Manager to access the web root of your sites Public-HTML.
b. Once you’ve opened that, you will see all the files that made up your site, click on wp-content.
c. It will now open up your themes, plugins, and other folders. Click on the plugin folder and then click on wp-DBmanager plugin.
d. Once it’s open, you will see a file like this htaccess.txt, download this life to your desktop and then upload it back to a folder named backup-db which is also on the wp-content folder.
e. When you’ve uploaded it, rename it to .htaccess. Now, return to your wp dashbored and reload it, the warning will disappear. You can also watch this short video i made on how to fix it using your hosting cpanel.
Click Here to watch the video on youtube.
In my opinion, it is very easier to fix this issue via the cpanel of your host than using FileZilla. I also advice you hurry up now and fix this if you’re seeing that same warning to avoid any problem which might arise. Remember what they said that prevention is better than cure therefore, don’t just read, go now get to work.
The best form of defense is attack.
I hope this post has been helpful for those that are having this issue. Please I will also like to know your opinion on this. If there is any other way you’ve used to fix this, please let us know in the comment section.
Also help and share this post with your friends as some of them might be having the same problem. Thanks all and happy new week.
Harleena Singh says
Informative post Theodore!
I liked what you shared, but you know me, I just stay away from codes and am just a little scared to go through this whole process.
I do have a similar backup plugin that I use, which is called BackupWP and it backs up the complete site and database. I guess that’s all I know about it and it’s working well for me presently. I guess I would forward this mail to my tech department and let them decide 😉
Thanks for sharing this with us. Have a nice week ahead 🙂
Theodore Nwangene says
Hey Harleena,
You don’t have to be afraid of codes, hahaha. I think we all need to get familiar with those small ones.
I’m sure there are somethings you will be able to fix yourself if you take a closer look, its never a rocket science at all. I’m also a novice when it comes to codes, but i can anything myself if i take it serious.
I will check it BackupWP to see how it is.
Thanks for coming Harleena and have a great week too.
Ehsan U says
You’re doing a darn good job of helping folks with the steps of blogging, Theodore.
I’ve never used that plugin, but I’m sure many bloggers do. So this is something I would definitely want to share 🙂
Thanks for interacting with me, keep in touch.
Ehsan U.
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks for the compliment Ehsan,
We are all here to help each other, aren’t we?
I really appreciate your comment. Thanks and of cause, i will keep in touch
Bashir Ahmed says
Hi Theodore,
Oh really wonderful post you shared and thanks for bringing it our attention. I’m not a big fan of plugins for security reasons.
For Example: If someone gain access to your WP dashboard then he can easily drop/delete your database tables.
So I think we should not use any plugin for backup. cPanel is enough for this job. 🙂
Theodore Nwangene says
Hahaha Bashir,
Welcome to my blog, i really appreciate your taking your time to visit me today. You know, its not everyone that are familiar with cpanel.
And i think its easier to do most of those things with plugins if you configure them well.
Thanks for coming my man, hope to see you again.
Babanature says
HelloTheodore,
You really did pass out some great tutorial here. As i understand in the tutorial, if i don’t install the plugin then i wont have the sign or any security threat, right? because from what i can see here is the .htaccess of the plugin is what making the threat and if you don’t change it’s location, it on a high risk.
well i am using wp-optimize and the plugin is so super great and i do manual backup and my c-panel also have an automatic backup. but i’ll try this plugin out to see how it goes. thanks for the share and do have a lovely week ahead bro
Theodore Nwangene says
Hey my man,
That plugin is really great and I’m sure you will like it. I don’t know about the cpanel backup, but i will have to check it out.
Thanks for coming.
Enstine Muki says
Good tut bro. I have been using FTP programs since 2005 but what I wonder is why these guys will allow users to manually move this file. Couldn’t they handle that as part of the installation ?
Whatever the case, thanks for educating us, your readers
Theodore Nwangene says
That was exactly the same question i asked bro,
I don’t know if they just want to punish us, but thank God we can figure it out. I’m really happy you like the post man.
Lets succeed together, have a beautiful week
Dan Black says
Great steps and important topic. Thank you for sharing it with us:)
Theodore Nwangene says
You welcome Dan,
How are did you enjoy your weekend? Thanks for coming.
BTW: Is the lady you’re holding on your gravater your wife?
Dan Black says
It was great! I spent a lot of time preparing for some talks I’m giving this week. How was your weekend?
Yes, she is, we have been married for 6 years and have a 15 month old child:)
Theodore Nwangene says
Mine was also great Dan,
Was indoor throughout. Wow, you have such a lovely wife indeed and i can see that you guys are catching fun.
You’re also a father? Thats pretty cool man.
Extend my warm regards to them.
Sylviane Nuccio says
Wow, that’s very scary, Theodore, but thanks for all this detailed information.
I use a different backup, one that Adrienne suggested me, and it works well, while it might not be as complete as the one you mentioned here. I’m not sure.
Thanks for this very valuable info.
Theodore Nwangene says
Hey Sylviane,
Happy new week, how are you?
Please i will like to know the one you’re using as i might want to try it too.
Thanks for coming and commenting.
Wan says
Great blog..Awesome
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks
PNGFacts says
Cheers for this information. Really helps
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks
Srikanth says
Thanks!! for the tutorials Bro !! really it was helpful for the new bloggers !! Thanks for Sharing!!
~Srikanth
Theodore Nwangene says
You welcome bro,
How was your weekend?
Evan says
Aha, that what it is. I was thinking recently about this issue but looks like you do everything faster. Really helpful info! Thanks a lot Theodore.
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks Evan
Happy i could help you.
Thanks for stopping by.
Chadrack says
Hi Theodore,
This is really a good tip you have posted here. For me, I’ve left behind these plugins for now. I used database backup and some other plugins in the past but for now I use DropBox. For me it is more reliable especially for the fact that I can access it from anywhere on the net. After experiencing problems with my sites sometime ago I went for Dropbox because with it even if the site goes down and everything is lost, I can still access my files on Dropbox.
Thanks for sharing.
Theodore Nwangene says
Hi Chadrack,
I’ve heard of DropBox before but i never know it can also do backup. I will have to check it out too. Thanks for coming my man
Chadrack says
Yeah, Dropbox is actually a good service for backing up your files. Their wordpress plugin is really powerful and works so effectively that you will not need to do anything after implementing it. Do check it out.
Theodore Nwangene says
Sure bro,
I will definitely check it out. Sounds really cool.
Thanks.
Khaja Moin says
Hey mate,
I never knew about this, thanks for the post.
~@Khajamoin1
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks Khaja
Sue Neal says
Hi Theodore,
This is a great post – I could have done with it a few months ago! I remember getting that warning message up when I first used this plugin and I spent ages getting it sorted – I think I did it via cpanel – going to bookmark this post for future reference because you’ve given lovely step by step instructions that I can refer to when I need to go through this process again – many thanks!
Sue
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks Sue,
That plugin also gave me lots of sleepless night before i was able to figure it out. But thank God i’ve done that. I’m sure it will also help you out.
Thanks for coming.
Anurag says
Hi Theodore,
Well, no one can see my back up folder except me because I use some other plugin for back up instead of DB Manager.
BTW Thanks for the post, It will a lot of bloggers using this plugin.
Regards,
Anurag.
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks for visiting my blog Anulag,
Which other plugin do you use? Thanks for your comment.
Anurag says
Hi Theodore,
Well I use a whole lot of plugins, will write it about it in on of my upcoming post and my name is Anurag, not Anulag. You scare me, man,
Theodore Nwangene says
I’m very sorry my man,
It was a mistake and i promise not to repeat it. I will be waiting for the post. Thanks.
Oluwaseun Babajide says
Thanks for sharing this. Something I haven’t taken too serious. I will try all the steps.
Seun
Theodore Nwangene says
Welcome to my blog Seun,
Thanks for also commenting, just give it a trial and let me know how it goes. Don’t forget to get in touch if you need my help.
Tim Bonner says
Hey Theodore
For anyone who uses Wp-DBmanager this is really important stuff. It’s great that you’ve shared this!
I use the WordPress Backup To Dropbox plugin. It’s possibly the one that Chadrack mentions above, although there are a few others now that will backup to Dropbox.
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks for stopping by Tim,
Drpbox is the next thing i will like to try bro. Thanks for leaving your comment also.
Rudd says
Thanks for mentioning this plugin. I’ve used this plugin and it’s pretty good.
I still remember using this plugin few years back and was panic when seeing those warning message. I’ve no previous experience with server/hosting, so I just followed the path to the folder and did exactly what was told.
Just to remind, this plugin only backup your database and not a complete backup solutions. Therefore, you attachments such as images and etc are still not backup. For complete backup solution, I recommend Backupbuddy.
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks for coming to my site Rudd,
The main thing is that you were able to fix it when you saw the warning. I will have to checkout BackupBuddy too bro. Thanks
Sapna says
HI Theodore,
Awesome!
I’m not using any plugin for backup of database, but hope to use it, I think this post will surely come handy for sure.
Thanks for this great share.
Sapna
Theodore Nwangene says
Hi Sapna,
I think you really have to start using one of the numerous plugins out there to be automatically backing up your database. Thanks for coming dear and have lovely week.
Adrienne says
Hey Theodore,
Great information and one that most people aren’t aware of.
I use a different backup plug-in and I don’t have that warning nor are my files the same so I’m good. Yay!!!
Great tutorial though and one most people should find easy to follow.
Have a great weekend and Happy Easter!
~Adrienne
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks you Adrienne,
I’m happy you like the post, what other backup plugin do you use? I might also like to try it. Thanks for your comment and happy Easter.
Adrienne says
Yours has more all-in-one features like the optimizing the tables. I have a separate plug-in for that. I just use WordPress Database Backup and have for a few years now. It works great.
Theodore Nwangene says
Ok Adrienne,
Thanks for your quick response, really appreciate.
neelu says
’m sure there are somethings you will be able to fix yourself if you take a closer look, its never a rocket science at all. I’m also a novice when it comes to codes, but i can anything myself if i take it serious.
Theodore Nwangene says
I agree with you Neelu,
You can certainly do anything you put your mind on. Thanks for coming to my blog.
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Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks.
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Gwyneth Villegas says
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is needed to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web smart so I’m not 100% sure. Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated. Appreciate it
Burl Viele says
Hello there! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established blog. Is it very difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any tips or suggestions? Many thanks