Software used and distributed with the license verification method invalidated is considered pirated/warez/nulled software. This could be a theme or plugin in WordPress. Using pirated themes/plugins destroys the security of your website.

Pirated themes/plugins used instead of licensed and original themes/plugins are often preferred because they are distributed free of charge or sold at low prices. However, such software often causes problems that you do not expect. Because malicious codes are added to pirated versions of themes/plugins, which we describe as backdoors, allowing unauthorized remote access to the software.

What is Warez/Pirate?

The word warez is a word of English origin. This word is derived from the word software. While the word software means software; Warez are themes whose licenses have been broken by changing their codes. Warez/nulled theme/plugin also means pirated theme and plugin. Warez/nulled themes violate the copyrights of licensed themes.

Harms of Using Pirated Software

Pirated themes and plugins are distributed by platforms that provide services illegally. The code structure of the pirated theme/plugin that you obtain for free or for a low fee contains some harmful codes that will harm your site. Don't forget! No one will share paid themes and plugins with you without any benefit! It is known that especially warez themes and plugins contain malicious codes. These malicious codes cause unauthorized backlinks (hacklinks) to be added to your site, inappropriate advertisements appearing on your site, or a "this site has been hacked" page appearing on your site. Therefore, your site and project will be disrupted. Using pirated themes/plugins will make your project unusable in the long run. So, what risks does using pirated themes and plugins bring?

  • security issue
  • Loss of personal data
  • Legal sanctions (you are committing copyright infringement)
  • Lack of automatic updates and technical support

Harms of Using Pirated Software: Security Risks

When you use pirated themes and plugins, you also include malicious code blocks on your site that prevent your web page from working properly. This situation also creates risky situations for users visiting your site. Especially if you use pirated themes/plugins; You make your web page insecure against cyber attackers in the digital world.

Harms of Using Pirated Software: Privacy Issues

It is a legal obligation for your website to keep your visitors' or customers' data confidential. However, when you use pirated themes and plugins, you put the data of your visitors and customers at risk. Again, losing your customers' data is one of the most undesirable situations for a business.

Theft of personal data is one of the most common problems in the digital world. Therefore, in order for your site to be strong against such problems, you should use original, non-pirated versions of your themes and plugins.

Harms of Using Pirated Software: It Is Illegal

First of all, pirated themes and plugins are illegal. By using and distributing pirated themes and plugins, you are committing the crime of copyright infringement. When pirated themes and plugins are distributed, it is easy for the copyright owner of the software to file a lawsuit against the website owner who shares the licensed software!

Harms of Using Pirated Software: Lack of Updates and Support

Themes and plugins used on websites need to be updated periodically. Because with each update, discovered security vulnerabilities are closed and the stability and functions of the software are increased. However, since the license of pirated themes and plugins is broken, automatic updating is not possible. This causes the pirated themes and plugins to become inadequate over time and have many security vulnerabilities.

Technical support service for the theme or plugin you purchase provides a significant advantage. If you encounter any problems with the software you purchased, you can receive free technical support during your license period via email or through the support system on the developer's website. However, you cannot receive technical support service for pirated themes and plugins.

What Should We Use Instead of Pirated Software?

If you want to realize the website you created with WordPress at a professional level, you should definitely choose original, non-pirated themes and plugins. Choosing original software instead of pirated themes and plugins will ensure that your website does not encounter security problems caused by pirated software in the long run.

Free WordPress Themes and Plugins

The WordPress community offers many alternatives when it comes to free themes and plugins. For example, the OceanWP theme is a successful theme for beginners. Providing effective results on both mobile and tablet devices, OceanWP also has WooCommerce support!

Zakra and Neve themes, which attract attention as an SEO-friendly free theme, are frequently preferred because they are high-performance themes. This theme, which has an effective control panel, also attracts attention with its minimalist and stylish design features.

You can use the links below to review more WordPress themes and plugins.

Free WordPress Themes -> https://wordpress.org/themes/

Free WordPress Plugins -> https://wordpress.org/plugins/

Envato Elements

Envato Elements is a platform connected to Envato Market, where users can access millions of content in many categories such as WordPress themes, plugins, graphics, web templates, videos and audio after purchasing a premium membership. Envato Elements is among the most preferred platforms in the web space worldwide.

Check out Envato Elements -> https://www.elements.envato.com

themeforest

Themeforest is an Envato Market platform that offers higher quality software than Envato Elements and free WordPress themes/plugins. There are more than 50000 contents on the Themeforest platform, where you can reliably purchase high quality software.

Check out Themeforest -> https://themeforest.net

codecanyon

CodeCanyon is an Envato Market platform where you can buy quality scripts for the web, especially PHP and Javascript. It allows developers such as CodeCanyon, Themeforest and Envato Elements to sell the website templates, plugins and themes they produce.

Why Should We Not Use Pirated Software?

In light of all this information, it is possible to define pirated/warez/nulled themes in WordPress as a complete disaster for your website. You should always stay away from such pirated themes/plugins that cause malicious codes to be added to your site.