PHP Extended Support: Key Questions
- Protection for older PHP versions
- Billing linked to the use of unsupported PHP
- Update to improve performance and avoid the cost
- 1. What is Arsys Extended Support for PHP and why do I need it?
- 2. Which PHP versions are covered by this service?
- 3. Why am I being billed for Extended Support for PHP?
- 4. How can I check and update my PHP version?
- 5. When does Arsys inform me about updates to Extended Support?
- 6. My scripts or website stopped working after an update. What should I do?
1. What is Arsys Extended Support for PHP and why do I need it?
Extended Support for PHP is an essential security service we offer to ensure the uninterrupted continuity of your online project, even if you use an older version of PHP.
- The context: PHP is the base language of popular CMSs like WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla!. The PHP community periodically stops supporting older versions (you can check the official dates here). Once unsupported, these versions no longer receive security updates and become vulnerable to cyberattacks.
- Our solution: with our Extended Support, your website is protected. Our experts immediately close security gaps at the infrastructure level and keep your projects and scripts safe from hackers until you are ready to migrate to a more current version.
2. Which PHP versions are covered by this service?
The PHP Community has already stopped offering support for versions prior to PHP 8.2. For this reason, the Extended Support for PHP service is the only way to maintain security on obsolete versions.
| PHP Version | Price (monthly rate) |
|---|---|
| PHP 5.6 | €18/month |
| PHP 7.x | €15/month |
| PHP 8.0 | €15/month |
| PHP 8.1 | €7/month |
For the best performance and maximum compatibility, we recommend using the current version of PHP (such as PHP 8.2), which is advised for the most modern applications.
3. Why am I being billed for Extended Support for PHP?
This service is billed because your hosting plan at Arsys is running a PHP version that has become obsolete and is no longer officially supported.
Maintaining older PHP versions requires greater operational effort and specialized security management on our systems, which implies an additional cost reflected in the monthly service fee.
It is activated automatically to protect your website. If you do not want to be billed, you just need to update your website to a PHP version with active support.
4. How can I check and update my PHP version?
Updating to a modern version not only exempts you from the cost of extended support, but also improves your website's speed and security.
- Best practices before updating. Check our guide with the key recommendations.
- Change the PHP version. Follow these simple steps to change the version your website is running on.
5. When does Arsys inform me about updates to Extended Support?
You will always be informed in good time. We notify you by email at least 4 weeks in advance about any update or change in the Extended Support versions. Make sure the email address in your customer profile is correct so you don't miss these notifications.
6. My scripts or website stopped working after an update. What should I do?
If you experience compatibility issues immediately after a PHP version change, it is likely that your application or scripts need adjustments to work properly with the new version. Just follow these steps:
- Revert to the original PHP version that was working.
- Contact a developer or expert to review your scripts and adapt them to the new PHP version.