Website owners often download pirated plugins thinking that they are free plugins without understanding the risks associated with this unethical practice. Pirated plugins can create issues for you, but they also affect developers and customers. Keep reading to find out why you should avoid WordPress pirated plugins when you customize your website.
3 Reasons Why You Need to Avoid Pirated Plugins
Malware Exposure
Many WordPress users hear horror stories about Trojan horses and worms destroying sites, but mistakenly assume malware is unlikely to attack their content. Unfortunately, internet crime, which includes personal data breaches and phishing scams, costs victims a combined total of $1.42 billion per year. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Report, millions of people around the globe experienced cyber attacks in 2017.
If you find those statistics scary, then pirated plugins are not ideal for your site. Pirated plugins often have backdoor scripts that fail to block malicious code which causes WordPress security issues, so it’s easy for the cyber bad guys to hack your site. What’s worse is that some pirated plugins contain malware before you even download them, so your site never has a chance to avoid viruses or adware.
Manual Updates
Official WordPress plugins update automatically, so code issues are addressed before cyber attackers discover them. Pirated plugins require manual updates, and sometimes you have to reinstall or even repurchase the pirated software multiple times.
That’s time-consuming, but it’s also dangerous. An outdated plugin is like an open wound; instead of treating it, you let it get infected by malware and hackers. This makes it easy for virtual lawbreakers to render your site inoperable or steal private information from clients. They can even transmit malware from your site to your visitor’s computers.
Ethical Issues
How would you feel if a co-worker stole your finished project and then got a generous bonus from your boss? That’s probably how developers feel, except they experience financial loss each time someone buys a pirated plugin.
When you download a pirated plugin, you take away money from the original creator and pay a digital thief instead. This isn’t always illegal, but it’s definitely unfair to the person who worked hard to make a safe, effective plugin for website owners like you.
The Solution
Avoid pirated plugins by doing some research before you download anything for your website. WordPress.org offers an extensive selection of premium WordPress plugins which includes a WordPress Security Plugin, and you can read reviews there before you make a purchase. Another option is to visit the official website for a specific plugin developer, such as Akismet, that interests you.
Ensure you buy paid plugins with automatic updates so your site has a defense against malware attacks. You should also review each company’s user agreement to make sure you’re protected if an issue does end up arising. Avoid downloading pirated themes and plugins without warranties or rebate options, and steer clear of spammy-looking sites that instruct you to download anything other than the plugin itself.
Don’t gamble with your website’s safety in hopes of saving a few bucks. Purchase your plugins from a trusted developer that sells original software so you can protect your website and its visitors.
Our team of experts can help you with the safety of your website by handling your WordPress site maintenance and leading you to success. Contact our team today at (866) 956-2330 and discover how WPSitePlan can help you get the most from your WordPress site.
