This guide explains why it is important to use a recent version of Node.js for your application and how to select a more recent version using a Node.js site hosted on the Infomaniak infrastructure.

Introduction

• Node.js = the official name of the language/environment.
• NodeJS = the "technical" or simplified name used in certain contexts (often for practical reasons; there is no real technical difference).

Is an outdated version of Node.js dangerous?

When you use a version of Node.js that is nearing the end of its support period, a warning message will appear in the dashboard of the website in question.

The Node.js runtime is regularly updated: each new version brings performance improvements, security enhancements, and support for the latest features. Using a version that is no longer maintained exposes you to security risks and potential compatibility issues with other components. Malicious individuals could exploit known vulnerabilities in these versions to compromise your application. It is therefore strongly recommended to use a recent version and is officially supported.

Three situations are possible:

• Fully supported version: no action required
• Security support only version: it is recommended to upgrade to a newer version
• Outdated version: it is strongly recommended to update to a more recent version.

Use a more recent version of Node.js

The latest versions of Node.js offer improved performance and more stable behavior for your modern applications.

Before changing the version used

• If your application uses a specific framework or library (Next.js, Express, etc.), verify that the target version of Node.js is properly supported.
• If your code was developed specifically for your needs, consult the official Node.js documentation to identify the changes made (deprecated APIs, module management, etc.).

What if a problem occurs?

If your application does not function correctly after changing the Node.js version, you can revert to a previous version (if it is still supported) via the Advanced Settings tab of the relevant site.