This was a Talking Web newsletter on 5 May 2026 - join the newsletter here.

Hi,

  • A hack has been discovered that effects 75% of web servers
  • You need to make sure you ask your hosts if you’re safe / upgraded
  • Why I’m structuring my emails like this now

Last week, a massive security issue was discovered with Linux – the operating system that 75% of web facing servers uses.

It basically means that any one who can get into your server (via an insecure plugin on your website, for example) can get “root access” to your server.

And with root access, they can do what they like: update your website, take down your website, copy your website, plant nasty dangerous code or viruses on your website… just anything.

Think of it like a two-door problem:

The first door is something like an outdated WordPress plugin or a weak password – once an attacker gets through that, this Linux vulnerability acts as a master key that opens every other door on the server, giving them complete control.

The other thing though – is that if you’re on shared hosting, they don’t need to get in via your website, they could get in from someone else’s.

So what do you need to do this week?

In the UK we had a national holiday on Monday, meaning this is a short week. And for most people reading this, this will be a very easy to do: contact your hosts, and ask them if (a) you’re using Linux and (b) if they’ve upgraded your version.

Here’s some text you can copy and paste to them:

“If my website is hosted on a Linux server, can you please confirm it has been upgraded so that it is not vulnerable to the Copy Fail issue detected on April 29th?”

That’s it! You might find it’s quicker to check a status update page, or their blog, rather than raise a support ticket and wait – but one way or another, either directly or through their published info, confirm that your website isn’t at risk of this threat.

But where are the niceties Lisa?!

I’ve cut straight to the chase this week because I want my emails to get through AI filters and summaries!

Gmail, Outlook and Apple Mail all include features where AI steps in to assess emails you receive… sometimes to aid in spam detection but also to summarise and prioritise emails.

I’ve written more info about it all on our blog this week, so if you do any email marketing, give it a read to see if you need to re-structure your emails.

And I’ll leave my niceties until last!

I hope everyone (reading this from the UK) had a lovely long weekend. Obviously it poured with rain for us on the Bank Holiday Monday!

But we had a lovely day in Herefordshire on Sunday, watching jousting and walking behind a waterfall (!) in Hampton Gardens.

Speak next week,

Lisa

Lisa Freeman

​18a web development​

​https://www.instagram.com/talking.web​

​https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisafreemanweb​