Running an online business involves more than creating products, publishing articles and attracting customers. Behind every website are important maintenance tasks that help keep it secure and running smoothly.
On 23 October 2026, I became concerned about reports of PHP security vulnerabilities affecting websites hosted with Hostinger.
I operate three WordPress websites, including GuideIntoPlace.com, and wanted to understand whether they could be affected.
There was just one problem: I had back-to-back personal appointments that day and couldn’t spend hours sitting at my computer.
So I decided to see how ChatGPT could help.
Three Websites, One Security Concern
My business manages three different WordPress websites:
- GuideIntoPlace.com, an educational website providing resources, tools and practical guides for people starting online businesses.
- An e-commerce website selling physical products.
- A print-on-demand online store.
All three are hosted with Hostinger.
Although they use the same content management system, their purposes and technical requirements differ.
For example, an online store needs a working checkout, while an educational website may depend on interactive tools, forms and downloadable resources.
I wanted to check their security without accidentally disrupting any of these functions.
Giving ChatGPT Its Instructions
Using my mobile phone, I asked ChatGPT to help review the following areas:
- PHP versions and relevant security advisories.
- WordPress security status.
- Installed plugins and available updates.
- Website and database backups.
- Potential security risks and recommended corrective actions.
My initial instruction was important:
Do not change anything without my approval.
I wanted a clear picture of the situation before authorising work.
Managing Website Security While Attending Appointments
This was perhaps the most interesting part of the experience.
I could communicate with ChatGPT from my mobile phone while attending appointments.
I could review the information being presented, provide additional instructions and receive notifications about important developments.
Instead of spending the entire morning at my desk, I could remain involved in the decision-making process while dealing with other commitments.
Of course, AI assistance doesn’t mean a website can maintain itself without appropriate access, permissions or supervision.
Any actual changes still need to be authorised, carried out through suitable tools and checked afterwards.
What We Learned From the Review
The security work focused on several essential areas of WordPress maintenance.
PHP security: Checking that the websites used supported, appropriately patched PHP versions.
Backups: Reviewing the availability of website-file and database backups before making significant changes.
Plugin maintenance: Identifying updates or maintenance tasks requiring attention.
Website functionality: Checking that important features, such as product pages, checkout processes and interactive tools, continued working.
Ongoing monitoring: Identifying the maintenance checks that should be repeated regularly.
The experience reinforced an important lesson: website security is not a one-time task.
Even after a successful review, websites still need monitoring, updates, backups and periodic testing.
Five Lessons for Other Small Business Owners
1. Don’t ignore hosting security notices
If your hosting provider reports a vulnerability, investigate whether it affects your particular website configuration.
2. Always have a recovery plan
A recent backup is important, but you should also know whether it is complete and how to restore it safely.
3. Check before updating
Updates are essential, but major changes should be backed up and tested to reduce the risk of disrupting your website.
4. Protect the functions that matter to your business
A website may appear normal while its checkout, contact form or another essential feature is not working correctly.
5. Use AI to help you make informed decisions
ChatGPT can help explain technical terminology, organise maintenance tasks, prepare checklists and assist with investigations.
However, AI should support your judgement rather than replace it.
What Surprised Me Most
The biggest benefit wasn’t simply understanding the technical issues.
It was discovering how much website management could be coordinated from a mobile phone.
For a small business owner, that flexibility can be valuable.
You might be travelling, attending appointments, looking after family or simply away from your office.
With the right tools, access and safeguards, you can still participate in important business decisions.
Could You Use This Approach?
Absolutely.
You don’t need three websites to benefit.
If you have one WordPress website, start by reviewing your hosting environment, PHP version, WordPress updates, plugins and backups.
You can use ChatGPT to help understand the findings and develop a maintenance plan appropriate to your website.
For more guidance, explore our WordPress resources on GuideIntoPlace.com.
Your Next Step
Download our free 20-Point WordPress Security Checklist to help review your own website.
For a more detailed approach, our planned WordPress Security & Maintenance Action Guide will provide practical instructions, maintenance worksheets and reusable checklists.
GuideIntoPlace.com helps beginners learn how to start, build and manage online businesses through practical guides, resources and tools.
Editorial note: This article describes a real experience using AI-assisted website security management. It does not claim that AI can guarantee security or independently complete tasks without appropriate tools, permissions and verification.