Comments on: What is encrypted code in WordPress themes?

By: Stacy

Stacy — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 05:19:40 +0000

I have absolutely no problem with displaying the Theme author on my blog, even though I tweaked the heck out of each theme I use. But it truly annoys me when they place encoded ads into the theme. That’s just rude.

Here’s what I discovered:

1) Find the encrypted code (I found my in the Footer php).
2) Highlight & copy the code
3) Paste it here: http://www.motobit.com/util/base64-decoder-encoder.asp
4) Choose ‘Decode’
5) Highlight & copy the decoded php
6) Replace (paste it over) the encrypted code
7) Replace the ad url with your blog url
Problem solved

That’s what worked for me, and is still working.

I have to say, without reading this blog post first, I wouldn’t have known how to recognize the encrypted code. So, thank you very much for posting this!

By: Rohit Sane

Rohit Sane — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:51:30 +0000

@Tad: Is the link code encrypted? Just check out the real meaning of the code using the Decryptors I have linked to.. Else, you can get back to me again!

By: Tad Crawford

Tad Crawford — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:34:31 +0000

i am using WordPress themes with creative common license . Found some unwanted non relevant links in footer and when i try to remove it them is not getting working and showing a message “Theme is created under creative common license and if you remove links it will be no more working”. So is there any way to remove these unwanted footer link ? please do suggest.

By: Carlos

Carlos — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:56:43 +0000

You’re right, I decided that for the safety of blog is better not to use this theme anymore.

Thanks for the tips!

By: Rohit Sane

Rohit Sane — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 03:16:36 +0000

@Carlos: I saw the Codes in the Footer..Those are just normal links and even if you delete them, it won’t cause any harm. The theme designer has just tried to fear you off by saying that your theme wont work properly.

The codes in the header are risky.They may have effects on functions.php and other files.So, take care about that…Footer can be edited without worries..

By: Carlos

Carlos — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:49:07 +0000

I managed to remove all the codes and apparently the theme works normally.

But in the footer.php file there is this warning:

Warning! Your site may stop working if these links are edited or deleted

By: Rohit Sane

Rohit Sane — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 11:15:20 +0000

@Carlos: I would advice not to use this theme. But you just can’t resist yourself, try to remove the code and see weather it works..But it may be risky!

By: Carlos

Carlos — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 09:47:58 +0000

I tested this theme with the TAC and were found encrypted code in the file header.php and functions.

I was disappointed because I would love to use it
http://newwpthemes.com/wordpress-theme/praven/comment-page-1/#comment-2870

By: Jim Michels

Jim Michels — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:12:48 +0000

I am kind of torn on this, certainly is not cool to put malicious code on a WP Theme but it is also not good form to remove a link and denying someone credit who created a free theme.

By: Udegbunam Chukwudi

Udegbunam Chukwudi — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:38:08 +0000

The theme of new blog (Patchwork Of Tips.com) has the footer encrypted possibly to keep the creator’s link live. Well I didn’t like it so I decrypted it, added my own links and then re-included his link as it would be unfair to use his theme for free.