The ServerBorn blog

Notes from the forge.

Performance engineering, security hardening, and WordPress operations. Written by the people who run the metal.

Anycast DNS: Why Your Nameserver Choice Affects Every Visit

DNS resolution happens before a single byte of your site loads, so how your nameservers are routed and cached has an outsized effect on real-world speed. Here is what anycast actually does, how to think about TTLs, and what you're paying for with premium DNS.

by Robbie·May 17, 2026·5 min read

TOTP, Passkeys, SMS: Two-Factor Methods Ranked

Not all second factors are created equal. Here is how SMS, authenticator apps, and passkeys actually hold up against phishing and SIM swaps, and how to get a reluctant team to turn any of them on.

by Robbie·May 16, 2026·5 min read

How to Vet a WordPress Theme Before You Commit

A theme is a long-term relationship, not a one-click decision. Here is how to check its update history, support quality, lock-in risk, and real-world performance before you build a site on top of it.

by Robbie·May 16, 2026·5 min read

WordPress Multisite: One Network or Many Sites?

Multisite can turn a pile of WordPress installs into one tidy network, but it trades flexibility for shared risk. Here is what it actually shares, what it complicates, and how to tell if it fits your situation.

by Robbie·May 15, 2026·5 min read