FileMaker 13v9 Security Updates: What You Need to Know

An important message for anyone using a FileMaker Server hosting service, and for clients who have onsite in-house FileMaker servers.

You may have received an email from FileMaker, Inc. recently about the FileMaker 13v9 security updates that were released on Monday, April 6, 2015. Some of the wording in the email and the linked Knowledge Base article (http://help.filemaker.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/14358) can be little confusing, as the updates need to be performed in a specific order, and it varies based on your configuration. We’ll try to clear things up for you.

Update 4/21/15: FileMaker released updaters today for FileMaker 12 and FileMaker Go on iOS today.

We take security very seriously. We follow industry standards and best practices, as well as recommendations from FileMaker, Inc. to protect your data, in the best way appropriate for your specific situation. See the section below that applies to your situation.

Cimbura.com Hosting Clients

Do NOT update your FileMaker Pro or FIleMaker Go software until we give you the green light. If you update your software before we update the Server software, you will not be able to connect to your database. We are currently testing the update to ensure that it is a smooth transition. If you are one of our hosting customers, you will hear from us soon, with instructions to update your software, or we will schedule a time for us to perform the installs for you remotely.

Cimbura.com Remote Support Clients

We will contact you soon to schedule a time to update your FileMaker Server software. In the meantime, do NOT update your FileMaker Pro or FIleMaker Go software. If you update your client software before we update your Server software, you will not be able to connect to your database. If you do install the update on your client computer(s) and cannot connect, call us right away, and we will get you back up and running.

Clients using FileMaker Go 13 on iPhone or iPad

The FileMaker Go 13v9 update is not available yet. FileMaker expects to release this update in 2 weeks. They did this because many users have automatic updates enabled on their iOS devices, and they wanted to give time for admins to update their FileMaker Servers before the update breaks compatibility between your device and the server. Note that there will not be an update to FileMaker Go 12.

Clients still running previous versions of FileMaker

Updates for FileMaker 12 (Server, Pro, and Pro Advanced) are coming soon. If you have FileMaker 12 clients connecting to a FileMaker 13 Server, the Server software will need to be updated before the clients are updated. If you have a FileMaker 12 Server with FileMaker 13 clients (this is rare), you will need to wait for the update to be available for your Server before you update any client software. If you are running this configuration (or even older versions of FileMaker), we should probably talk about upgrading you to the latest version. In addition to the latest security updates, you get a lot of features that make you more efficient, and make it easier for us make improvements and develop quicker.

Note: You can use the FileMaker Pro calculation Get ( HostApplicationVersion ) to can find out what version your hosted server is running.

Still confused?

We understand. If you manage your own servers and clients, then the short answer is this: Upgrade the server first. If Cimbura.com handles your maintenance and support, then just sit back and relax… we’ve got you covered. As always, give us a call or send an email if you have concerns.