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Heather Hastings
1,358 PointsWordpress Manual vs 1 Click Install
I am currently working through the Wordpress videos. I'm trying to figure out what Wordpress installation method I should use. Is one option better in the long run for site updates etc? Is it more or less secure to use the manual install vs the auto install (the "1 click")? Thank you
5 Answers
Paul Graham
1,396 PointsI assume by 1-click install, you're talking about something like Cpanel...
Probably not less secure, but there is one thing you HAVE to check if using a 1-click install, which is the authentication keys and salts in wp-config.php. If you use the 1-click install, be sure to replace these because oftentimes they are propagated from the same file and if that is the case they are insecure and your WP install can be hacked.
Matthew Farley
3,426 PointsPaul brings up a great point re: duplicating authentication keys and salts, and the problems that can come of that. I tend to prefer the manual install vs. the 1-click method, mainly because it forces me to spend some time with server side tasks, which isn't a bad thing. It helps me better understand what's going on with IT teams because I have a better handle on things like basic terminology and technical steps that need to be performed in order to get a WordPress site up and running.
And WordPress gives you access to a really easy to follow installation guide as well, found here http://codex.wordpress.org/Installing_WordPress.
Colin Marshall
32,861 PointsI agree. The manual install forces you to create a database, edit the wordpress config file, and do other things that make you learn more about how everything works.
Colin Marshall
32,861 PointsI personally use this plugin: http://codecanyon.net/item/security-ninja/577696 All the stuff it does you can do yourself for free, but I like how I know for sure I did it correctly if it passes the test or not. And that plugin gets updated to keep up with changes in WordPress so I don't have to pay close attention to that stuff.
One of the tests Security Ninja does deals with the keys and salts that Paul Graham was talking about.
Heather Hastings
1,358 PointsHey everyone, thanks so much for your feedback! I thought there was something to do with security in the manual install that was more of an advantage than the 1 click install, but couldn't remember. I had no idea about keys and salts - thanks for your help! I went with the manual install, edited the wordpress config file. The process was less daunting than I originally thought, and as you mentioned, I do like that I have a slightly better understanding now having gone this route.
Rose Cass
16,323 PointsGreat points brought up so far! Personally I favour a manual install, especially if you are learning about WordPress. Just interacting and getting familiar with the files that are in Core really helped my understand of WordPress. So for a learning standpoint, I would recommend manual install :)