Wall of colourful lava lamps at Cloudflare office used for generating encryption keys

Free Cloudflare Protection Our Hosting Services – and the Lava Lamp Magic Behind It!

Chris Grant (he/him) April 20, 2025 0 Comments

At O'Brien Media, we’re big believers in making life easier – and safer – for our customers. Whether you’re running a one-page site for your local business or managing a fully-fledged online store, we’ve got your back when it comes to website security and performance. That’s why we include free Cloudflare protection with every domain name registration and website hosting package we...

A person warning of a security threat with a red exclamation mark, representing the HTTP/2 rapid reset vulnerability in web technology.

The Future of WordPress Security in 2025 and Beyond

Chris Grant (he/him) April 16, 2025 0 Comments

Navigating the Potential Shutdown of the CVE Program In today’s digital-first business landscape, maintaining a secure website is as vital as having a reliable internet connection. For millions of businesses powered by WordPress — the platform that runs over 60% of all websites — security has always relied on a silent hero: the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) system. But that...

Electrician repairing AC power plugs and sockets, representing trade services

Why Every Tradesperson in Swindon Needs a Website in 2025

Chris Grant (he/him) March 09, 2025 0 Comments

In today’s digital world, having a website is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity, even for tradespeople. Whether you’re a plumber, electrician, builder, or decorator in Swindon, having a professional online presence can make all the difference in securing more clients and growing your business. Why is a Website Essential for Tradespeople? Increased Visibility and Credibility When...

Close-up of a QR code being scanned on a smartphone screen

Beware of QR Code Scams: How to Stay Safe

Chris Grant (he/him) March 03, 2025 0 Comments

QR codes have become an essential part of our everyday lives. From scanning menus at restaurants to making payments or logging into apps, they offer a quick and convenient way to access information. However, with the increasing reliance on QR codes, cybercriminals have found ways to exploit them for scams, fraud, and malware distribution. In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into the dangers of...

Business team in discussion, analysing data and planning strategy around a table

Crafting Compelling Content for Every Stage of Your Sales Funnel

Chris Grant (he/him) January 16, 2025 0 Comments

Creating effective content for your sales funnel is essential to guide potential customers from initial awareness to a confident purchase decision. At O’Brien Media, we believe that tailoring your content to address the unique needs of your audience at each stage is the foundation of a successful marketing strategy. Here’s a detailed guide to creating engaging content for every step of the...

2024 calendar, notebook, stick-it notes and cup of coffee.

Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Growth, Innovation, and Digital Success

Andrei Ghimpu December 31, 2024 0 Comments

As 2024 draws to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on everything we’ve shared on the O’Brien Media blog this year. It has been a remarkable twelve months filled with new insights, creative tutorials, success stories, and thought leadership pieces to help businesses of all sizes thrive online. Below, you’ll find a quick overview of the topics we covered, complete with links to some...

Developer upgrading PHP version on a WordPress website for improved security and performance in 2024.

Why Upgrading PHP in 2024 is Essential for Your WordPress Website

Jenny O'Brien November 27, 2024 0 Comments

If you manage a WordPress website, you’ve probably heard of PHP. It’s the programming language that powers WordPress, and having an up-to-date version of PHP is critical for keeping your website secure, fast, and functioning properly. At O’Brien Media, we want to ensure your website is running as smoothly as possible, so let’s explore why updating PHP is so important and how we can help...

Protecting the Backbone of the Internet: Lessons from Recent Cable Incidents

Chris Grant (he/him) November 21, 2024 0 Comments

Two undersea internet cables connecting Finland and Sweden to mainland Europe have been severed, raising serious concerns about the resilience of global internet infrastructure. These incidents, believed by EU leaders to be acts of sabotage, highlight the vulnerabilities in the networks that underpin international connectivity. Read more about the incidents on Tom's Hardware. What Happened? The...

Smartphone screen showing the option to unsubscribe from marketing text messages

Handling unwanted text message marketing – advice for recipients and senders

Andrei Ghimpu July 15, 2024 0 Comments

Unsubscribing from marketing text messages is a simple process. If you're tired of receiving unwanted SMS, follow these straightforward steps to regain control of your inbox. General Guidance for Consumers Common Commands: To unsubscribe, reply to the text message with "STOP" or "UNSUBSCRIBE." Other commands that often work include "END," "QUIT," or "CANCEL." Confirmation: Once you send the...

Portrait of Chris, sharing his personal story for PTSD Awareness Day

PTSD Awareness Day 2024 – Chris’ Story

Chris Grant (he/him) June 27, 2024 0 Comments

Living with PTSD: A Personal Journey My name is Chris, and I am the Senior Developer at O’Brien Media. Despite my professional achievements, I live with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), which has also led to anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, along with epilepsy. These conditions make daily life challenging, but with the right support and treatments, I lead a fulfilling life....

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