Database Backups

  • Resolved Robert Eichhorn

    (@robert-eichhorn)


    5 years, 5 months ago

    I’ve made 2 backups of my database – Quick (Simple) and Custom. Now I’m wondering which backup should I use to restore my database. Here are my questions:

    1. I’ve taken a look at my Quick (Simple) and Custom backup and both have information for tables. I thought the Quick (Simple) backup is not supposed to include any tables. If I restore the Quick (Simple) backup will it include tables or will they be deleted? If I restore the Custom backup will it include tables or will they be deleted? Does my database need any tables at all?
    2. A Custom backup is supposed to allow for changes to default behavior. I may want to change the table prefix – will a Custom backup allow me to change the table prefix? What other kinds of changes to default behavior can I make with a Custom backup?
    3. Are there any changes I can make with a Quick (Simple) backup?
    4. Can a hacker write malicious code into a Quick (Simple) and Custom backup?
    5. How can a hacker write malicious code into a database when it is password protected?

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • George Appiah

    (@gappiah)

    5 years, 5 months ago

    The problem is, we have no idea what you mean by “Quick (Simple)” and “Custom” backups. These might be the labels used by the specific backup tool you’re using. These are not standard database management terminologies. And since you didn’t mention the specific backup tool you’re using, it’s impossible for us to give you any advice.

    And, by the way, since you DO HAVE the backup files, you could just spend 5 minutes to TRY any one of them, and if it doesn’t work to your desire, scrap the whole thing and use the other backup. That would certainly be faster than waiting for 5 hours for someone to give you the blessing to do this or that.

    4. Can a hacker write malicious code into a Quick (Simple) and Custom backup?

    How you create or restore a database backup has nothing to do with whether or not it can be compromised.

    5. How can a hacker write malicious code into a database when it is password protected?

    There are several ways a database can be attacked and compromised. Your database password can be brute-forced or compromised in other ways if it’s not a very strong one or if you re-used passwords. Your hosting account itself can be compromised. The entire server can be compromised. A vulnerable theme, plugin or even WordPress core running on your site can allow hackers to install code in your site, and such code can access your database (just as WordPress can access the database).

    See Top 10 Database Attack Vectors

    And here are some steps you can take to HARDEN your WordPress site:

    Hardening WordPress

    Thread Starter Robert Eichhorn

    (@robert-eichhorn)

    5 years, 5 months ago

    George – concerning your point that Quick (Simple) and Custom are not standard database management terminologies for types of backups. WordPress and my web host use the terms when referring to backing up the database. As a reference, from the WordPress article ‘Backing Up Your Database’ at:

    Backing Up Your Database


    from the section ‘Using phpMyAdmin’, from the topic ‘Quick backup process’,
    “When you backup all tables in the WordPress database without compression, you can use simple method. To restore this backup, your new database should not have any tables.”
    “4. Ensure that the Quick option is selected, and click ‘Go’…”

    From the topic ‘Custom backup process’,
    “If you want to change default behavior, select Custom backup.”

    From my web host when trying to backup my database these options are given on the webpage:
    Quick – display only the minimal options
    Custom – display all possible options

    Concerning the backup tool I’m using – it’s phpMyAdmin.
    Thanks for the links to the ‘Tpo 10 Database Attack Vectors’ and ‘Hardening WordPress’.

    Thread Starter Robert Eichhorn

    (@robert-eichhorn)

    5 years, 5 months ago

    George – here’s a better version of the link to the WordPress article ‘Backing Up Your Database’ at:

    Backing Up Your Database

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

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