I run a real estate website that relies heavily on a custom plugin for MLS listings, search, etc. This plugin was created by an agency years ago but apparently is no longer supported or maintained.
Recently, WordPress released a major update and this experience made me worried about future WordPress updates breaking my site again. I know running outdated software can be a security risk, but losing key functionality of my real estate plugin would be devastating.
So I’m wondering: should I disable automatic WordPress updates to prevent compatibility issues with my unsupported plugin? Or is it too risky to run an outdated CMS version from a security standpoint?
Some factors I’m considering:
* How critical is the unsupported plugin to my site? It powers 90% of key functionality.
* Are there newer maintained alternatives I could switch to? I haven’t found any with comparable MLS search/listings features.
* How quick could I revert an update if something breaks? I have backups but downtime hurts.
* Is there a way to selectively apply security updates while blocking major versions? Not sure if this is possible.
* Could I pay a developer to update the plugin or make it compatible with newer WordPress versions? Cost is a concern.
Interested to hear thoughts on the pros/cons of disabling auto-updates in this situation. I want to balance keeping my site secure with avoiding functionality loss. Any insights or suggestions appreciated!
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