My sites are all back, in case anyone noticed the following message:
This is the second time that the account has been suspended.
Apparently, something in the database gets corrupted and then there is a bit of extra traffic and my account uses up more than it’s share of the server availability.
This is the only problem that I’ve had with Bluehost in recent months. Both times the technical service folks were very helpful. This time, one of the techs suggested a couple of WordPress plugins that would 1) help reduce the loading if, by some odd chance I got a surge of traffic, and 2) keep some of the spambots from even getting to the page.
I’m not going to implement them tonight and I do have more than just this blog to install them on. I’ll post more about the plugins on Exit78 after I’ve looked at them and installed them.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Sorry you’re having these glitches, but your web host does sound really cooperative and helpful.
.-= Dot´s last blog ..Comment on Family Issues by Betsy Wuebker =-.
I wish I could keep the spambots way, I can only imagine what havoc they’ll reek while I am away.
There are a number of things which could cause this. The scary thing is if in fact it is a problem with your database, it’s possible someone hacked into it and now your site has some hidden issues because normally you shouldn’t have this problem unless you know of some specific reason for traffic spikes (like an article on Digg).
You can try the plugins, but if the problem persists, you might want to do some other checks. There’s a WordPress plugin out there I think called Exploit Scanner. It’ll scan your WP install for weird code someone might have put there. It’s not perfect, but is something.
Also, check out the Event Viewer plugin. It lets you see every little thing your WP program does. So if an email is sent or someone tried to log into your dashboard other than you, you’ll see it.
.-= John Hoff – WpBlogHost´s last blog ..WpBlogHost Domain, Blog Security, & Hosting Promotions – Get’em While Their Hot =-.
Glad you’re back! Thanks, John, for the suggestions. At the moment Safari doesn’t like one of my sites, so it would be nice to see if someone has done something sinister to it.
Hi Mike – Be really careful. What happened to you happened to me a few times with Bluehost at the beginning of the year. But they ended up suspending my account permanently, not allowing me access and threatening to delete my blog.
If it wasn’t for John Hoff at WPBlogHost, I don’t know what I’ve done. I used to pay quarterly and I’d made a payment not long before Bluehost did that to me but they haven’t refunded me a penny.
Dot – They were actually much better than the last time that I had the problem. That time the sites were down for over 24 hours. This time, the sites were down less than an hour.
Debo Hobo – I need to do all that I can before the next time we start traveling. I would hat to come back after a week of no internet access and find that my sites had been down for almost all the time that I was gone.
John – Thanks for the advice and information. I’ll do some more exploring and research.
Jean – Thanks. I was relieved that it was for such a short period of time.
Cath – I remember what happened with you and Bluehost. I’ve been looking at various options, but I’m not looking to switch hosts right now.
Hi Mike. I’m glad your site was back up so quickly. As soon as I started reading your post I remember what happened to Cath earlier this year. I was not surprised to see her comment
I’ve been with BlueHost for almost a year and so far, “touch wood”, things have been running smoothly. Good luck with your research.
Davina – Thanks. So far as luck with my research, it’s going to be fighting with my tendency to procrastinate, especially when I have other more interesting pressing interests.