Why should you stop using pirated WordPress plugins and themes?

People are always looking for ways to cut costs, some WordPress users are tempted to switch to non-valuable WordPress themes and plugins instead of paying for the official premium version.

In this post, we will tell you why using invalid WordPress plugins and themes is a bad idea even if it doesn't necessarily violate any laws.

There are many different definitions on the web when it comes to the term nulled. When we identify nulled, it refers to WordPress premium plugins or themes that have been hacked or contain modified code designed to harm or collect information. They are taken from a third party website (not the original author or creator) and are sometimes created to operate without a license key.

Four reasons you still shouldn't use WordPress extensions (even if they're legal)

Just because extensions have no value is legal, that doesn't mean they should be used at your WordPress site.

Here are four reasons why you still shouldn't use invalid plugins or themes on your site.

1. You do not know what else in the source code

When you download an extension from a source other than the developer (or a trusted repository like WordPress.org), you don't know what else is hiding in the code.

Malicious agents want to use invalid plugins or themes to insert their own annoying payloads, like inserted links for SEO or more malicious actions.

When you use an invalid extension, you will open this type of exploit yourself because, unless you have the knowledge and the time to learn all the code, you don't know what else is going on. hidden in extension has no value.

This is not a common problem, as you can find legal GPL clubs that offer clean products (usually for a monthly fee). But even if you pay for a GPL club that offers free downloads from malicious code, there are other important reasons why these extensions are not a good idea. And how do you know which GPL club can be trusted?

GPL vault

An example of a paid GPL club

That is why we often consider plugins obtained from third-party websites to be of no value. It would be much safer to assume that if you didn't get it from the original author it might have been modified, unsafe code or even a virus. You can use an online tool like VirusTotal to scan the plugin or theme files to see if it detects any kind of malware.

VirusTotal

VirusTotal

2. Developers need money to continue improving their products

Although most developers really like creating WordPress products, most of them also like being able to eat and buy a roof over their heads.

That is, WordPress developers need revenue to be able to justify the time they spend to maintain and improve their products.

When you use invalid extensions, you will deprive them of the revenue they can use to further improve their plugins.

Basically, you're shooting yourself in the foot by becoming a freelance seller!

Is not! Of course not.

If you are trying to find a version without plugins or themes, that could mean you think it is a valuable addition to your website.

So, even if you don't think it's worth paying the developer for all the hard work they've put in to build you that product, why are you depriving yourself of the opportunity to get it? A better product in the future?

Basically, you should help developers put food on the table so they can continue to create great things to make your life easier.

3. You will not receive any support from the Developer

Extensions may not give you all the features of a premium theme or plugin, but they will never be able to give you all the benefits paid customers get. .

That's because most of what you're paying for with GPL licensed software is developer support.

When you pay for a product, you have the option to reach out to the developer directly if you encounter any problems with the product.

On the other hand, with the extension having no value, you will get zero support. Winning snag? Hope Google helps! Because that's pretty much your only option. If the plugin you use has a free version in your WordPress repository, you can get feedback there. But to be honest, it's pretty much like playing the lottery. And that's simply because developers simply can't work for free.

If you waste three hours fixing a problem the developer can fix for you after five minutes, will you really save money in the end? Probably not (if you value your time).

4. You will not receive any automatic updates

To enable automatic updates for premium themes or plugins, you will need the license key.

Without a valid license key, you will have to manually update your extensions every time a new update is available.

There are two major problems with this:

First of all, it is simply annoying and time consuming. You go from just clicking a button, to having to delete and re-upload the plugin each time.

There is no update without license code

There is no update without license code

However, that is not the biggest problem.

More importantly, you will no longer receive that red update notification in your WordPress dashboard. That means you'll have to find another way to track when a new update is available.

What if the developer released an emergency security fix, but you didn't receive the memo until a few weeks later? Outdated extensions are a target for major attacks on WordPress websites, so you will leave your site at risk if you are unable to apply updates in time. new update.

It is true that some GPL clubs go and grab the latest versions and then they will release updates on their website. But who do you want to put your trust in? A GPL club with thousands of different plugins or plugin developers. Is risk worth saving a few dollars?

Exception

We do not see any good reason to use invalid plugins or themes. However, if you really want to get fussy, this is a scenario we have heard from users.

Many premium WordPress plugins don't have free versions or trials, and their refund policy can only be applied if the plugin is not working for technical reasons. A lot of times plugin developers have to be strict with their return policies to prevent abuse from people trying to get a free copy.

If you are a WordPress developer, agent or freelancer, there may be some situations where you simply need to see if the plugin works for customers. It may not always make sense to buy the plugin if it can't do what you need. Because then you run out of money.

Check a plugin or theme with no local value or on one Stagging Site (never made) might be the way you decide to go down. We will not share where to get any of these on our site.

If you do this and find out that the plugin or theme really offers it, then, by all means, talk to your customer and buy it to receive a license key, support and legal updates.

Do not use Nulled extension on production sites - Not worth it

Visually, it seems a lot to get a free premium plugin or theme. But in our opinion, it's not worth it. Even if you find a clean, legal GPL plugin and theme, you will still be wasting more time because of you:

  • Have to configure and fix everything yourself because you don't have access to support.
  • Will have to constantly check for new releases and update itself.

Time is money, and worthless plugins and themes will take you more time to use.

In addition, you simply deprive developers the reward for hard work they have spent, as well as money to continue improving their products in the future. Even if you have no issues with the ethical implications there, you will lose it if people use the extensions without value because the developers will have no incentive to improve.

So - think carefully before installing a plugin or theme with no value. Especially if you build or work on someone else's WordPress site. Do not put your customers into a binding later on the road. We have seen this way of happiness so many times.

If you really have a budget, consider one of the more than 55,000 free plugins and thousands of free themes available at WordPress.org.

Any thoughts? We would love to hear from many WordPress users on this topic in the comments below.

0 Comments

seo marketing wordpress seo seo hosting seo and marketing word press seo wordpress and seo wordpress marketing hosting seo seo press pro market seo seo & marketing seo e marketing e marketing seo seo pro wordpress marketing & seo seo di wordpress wordpress seo host hosting and seo wordpress hosting seo wordpress seo wordpress wordpress for marketing seo press wordpress marketing for seo
×