I’ve argued in the past that you should use a CMS like WordPress to run your membership sites. In fact, I described two different ways you can have this set up: a) with an external membership script and b) with a WordPress membership script.
Recently, however, rayfellars left a comment on my blog saying
Alex Sysoef of HowToSpotter.com totally disagrees and lays out some convincing thoughts on why WP can be a real problem, especially regarding security, for operators of membership sites.
I have to admit, I find his argument very interesting. A bit of a disappointment though since running a WordPress membership site is just so so so easy.
I’m no programmer, so I don’t know to what extent this proves to be a problem. But Ravi has another very interesting counter argument on why WordPress is the absolute best platform for your membership site.
After reading both sides, it seems that the key to a secure WordPress membership site is to use a membership software which does *not* have a dependency on the core of WordPress. If that is the case, then my current setup that I describe in Building A Membership Site with WordPress would be just fine. 
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Bina,
I also think that “for some” people who are technically savvy an exception can be made. Meaning that if a person can fix the code himself or herself and actually willing to do it WHEN necessary – it can be an exception.
My main point was – evaluate your option and choose what you are willing to do – spend time running business or supporting script that runs your business
Ravi did have an excellent point that actually fit exactly into the model I personally recommended.
It would have been nice had you linked to Alex Sysoef’s article so that we could read both sides of the argument, too.
I’ve poked around on his site and tried to search for the article and came up empty handed.
Thanks,
Bill
Oops! Could have sworn I linked to it. But here it is: http://www.howtospoter.com/money-making/internet-marketing/opinion-why-wordpress-should-never-be-used-as-membership-management-system