Updating WordPress and Managing Secure Permissions for PHP
#wordpress#apache#php
Ravi Kyada

Ravi Kyada @ravikyada

About: A Cloud Enthusiast DevOps Engineer working with AWS, Cloud Computing, Automation, CI/CD, and Monitoring. Core Technical Skills: Linux, AWS, Dockers and Kubernetes, Key Technical Skills: Linux, Unix,

Joined:
Apr 22, 2023

Updating WordPress and Managing Secure Permissions for PHP

Publish Date: May 23
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Imagine you leave your front door unlocked at night. Would you sleep peacefully? Probably not. Yet, many WordPress users unknowingly leave their websites vulnerable by neglecting updates and mismanaging file permissions.

If you’ve ever encountered errors like “The update cannot be installed because some files could not be copied” , chances are your file permissions are not properly set.

But don’t worry! In this guide, you’ll learn not just how to update WordPress safely but also how to set up the correct permissions for maximum security and performance.

Preparing for a WordPress Update

Backing Up Your Site

Before you update, think of it like skydiving — you wouldn’t jump without a parachute, right? The same goes for your website. Always back up your files and database before updating.

  • Use UpdraftPlus , All-in-One WP Migration , or your web host’s backup feature.
  • Backup manually using phpMyAdmin for the database and FTP/SFTP for files.

Checking for Compatibility Issues

  • Ensure all plugins and themes are compatible with the new WordPress version.
  • Use a staging environment to test updates before applying them to your live site.

How to Update WordPress Safely

Using the WordPress Dashboard

The easiest way to update WordPress is through the admin panel:

  1. Navigate to Dashboard > Updates.
  2. Click Update Now.
  3. Wait for the update to complete.

Updating via FTP or SFTP

If the automatic update fails, you can manually update via FTP:

  1. Download the latest WordPress version from wordpress.org.
  2. Extract the .zip file.
  3. Upload everything except wp-config.php and wp-content to your server.
  4. Run the Database Update prompt (/wp-admin/upgrade.php).

Manual Update via SSH

For developers, an SSH-based update is faster:

cd /var/www/wordpress
wp core update
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Understanding File Permissions in WordPress

What Are File Permissions?

File permissions define who can read, write, and execute files on your server.

Breaking Down Permission Numbers

  • 644 → Files (Owner: Read/Write, Group & Others: Read)
  • 755 → Directories (Owner: Full Access, Group & Others: Read/Execute)
  • 775 → Some servers require this for group editing
  • 600 → wp-config.php (for extra security)

The Importance of Secure PHP Permissions

When your PHP files have the wrong permissions, malicious scripts can execute , or updates can fail.

Why File Ownership Matters

The recommended owner for WordPress files is www-data (Apache/Nginx):

chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/wordpress
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Correct WordPress File & Directory Permissions

Set Secure Permissions Using These Commands: 

find /var/www/wordpress -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \;
find /var/www/wordpress -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;
chmod 600 /var/www/wordpress/wp-config.php
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Advanced: Adjusting Ownership for Security

If permissions alone don’t fix your issue, update ownership:

chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/wordpress
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Fixing Common Permission Errors

  • “Cannot Install Plugin or Theme” Error → Check write permissions on /wp-content/uploads/.
  • “Failed to Write File” Error → Ensure directories are 755 and files 644.

Using FS_METHOD for Direct File Updates

Modify wp-config.php:

define('FS_METHOD', 'direct');
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This forces WordPress to update without FTP credentials.

Hardening WordPress Security Beyond Permissions

  • Restrict access to wp-config.php: 
chmod 600 /var/www/wordpress/wp-config.php
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  • Disable file editing in the admin panel: 
define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);
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Automating Permission Fixes with a Script

Create a shell script:

#!/bin/bash
find /var/www/wordpress -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \;
find /var/www/wordpress -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;
chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/wordpress
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Checking Server Logs for Permission Errors

Use:

tail -f /var/log/apache2/error.log
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When to Contact Your Web Host

If none of these fixes work, your host may restrict file access. Contact support.

Final Thoughts on Security & Updates

Keeping WordPress updated and securing permissions is like locking your doors. You want to strike a balance between security and functionality.

FAQs

1. Why do my WordPress updates fail?

Usually due to incorrect file permissions or ownership issues.

2. Should I use 777 permissions?

Never! This makes your site vulnerable to attacks.

3. How do I know if my permissions are correct?

Use:

ls -la /var/www/wordpress
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4. What if my host doesn’t allow permission changes?

Some managed hosting providers have locked file permissions. Contact them.

5. Does incorrect ownership affect performance?

Yes. It can cause slow updates, plugin failures, and security risks.

Thank you so much for reading the article till the end! 🙌🏻 Your time and interest truly mean a lot. 😁📃

If you have any questions or thoughts about this blog, feel free to connect with me:

🔗 LinkedIn: Ravi Kyada

🐦 Twitter: @ravijkyada

Until next time, ✌🏻 Cheers to more learning and discovery! 🇮🇳 🚀

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