Would it be too risky to use this free WP theme?

Ginger_Ale · Feb 24, 2013

I've been searching for a nice looking WP theme for a health/beauty articles website, and I liked "HealthStyle" by NewWpThemes, but on that website they only give you for free the versions of the themes with static links.
I know nearly nothing about coding and stuff, but I've read about the risks of using themes from non-very-reputable sites.

In a blog I use just for testing, I've checked the theme with the TAC plugin, and it found 4 static links to random websites and no Base64 code. I've installed WickedGuy's plugin and the links disappeared from the footer, but TAC still detects them.

Could you give me any advice? I've tried to do something with other themes, but I SUCK at design and I really liked that one.

Monkshood · Feb 24, 2013

Ginger_Ale said:
I know nearly nothing about coding and stuff, but I've read about the risks of using themes from non-very-reputable sites.

What sort of problems are worried about? Inserting unwanted content across your site?

Ginger_Ale said:
In a blog I use just for testing, I've checked the theme with the TAC plugin, and it found 4 static links to random websites and no Base64 code.

It's good that you've tested it, maybe you could get a programmer friend to remove those four links if it bothers you? Some other things to search for would be uses of the following PHP functions.

Code:

allow_url_fopen  
allow_url_include
exec
shell_exec
system
passthru
popen
stream_select

On second thoughts there should be plugins that can test for these sort of things. A quick Google returned Theme-Check and Exploit Scanner.

Hope this helps.

Wilson Grant Fisk · Feb 24, 2013

With the Tac plugin, when it finds the links, you should see on the right hand side it should show which file contains the links and an edit link, just click on it and delete the links.

Endire · Feb 24, 2013

Ginger_Ale,

I would tread lightly when going after free Wordpress themes. There are some out there that are very good however many of them have programming errors and in general can be a headache. If you can swing it, I would recommend just purchasing a theme. Then you will get something that is quality and that won't give you lots of problems down the road. You will also get the added benefit of support in many cases.
Check out this article on why not to download free WP themes,
http://wpmu.org/why-you-should-never-search-for-free-wordpress-themes-in-google-or-anywhere-else/

Hope that helps,
Shawn

Ginger_Ale · Feb 24, 2013

Monkshood said:
What sort of problems are worried about? Inserting unwanted content across your site?

It's good that you've tested it, maybe you could get a programmer friend to remove those four links if it bothers you? Some other things to search for would be uses of the following PHP functions.

Code:

allow_url_fopen allow_url_include exec shell_exec system passthru popen stream_select

On second thoughts there should be plugins that can test for these sort of things. A quick Google returned Theme-Check and Exploit Scanner.

Hope this helps.

It does help!

I'm worried mostly because I read that something about "themes being used to propagate spammy links, link injections, for malware...". I'll check those plugins you mentioned.

W130SN said:
With the Tac plugin, when it finds the links, you should see on the right hand side it should show which file contains the links and an edit link, just click on it and delete the links.

I tried, but it won't let me do that, it says that the files cannot be edited.
But I'll search for some way to do it, hoping it won't break the theme, or, as Monkshood said, I'll ask a friend of mine to take a look at it when he has a minute.

Thanks a lot to both of you!

Ginger_Ale · Feb 24, 2013

TheContentAuthority said:
Ginger_Ale,

I would tread lightly when going after free Wordpress themes. There are some out there that are very good however many of them have programming errors and in general can be a headache. If you can swing it, I would recommend just purchasing a theme. Then you will get something that is quality and that won't give you lots of problems down the road. You will also get the added benefit of support in many cases.
Check out this article on why not to download free WP themes,
http://wpmu.org/why-you-should-never-search-for-free-wordpress-themes-in-google-or-anywhere-else/

Hope that helps,
Shawn

Oh, we posted at the same time so I almost missed your message. That article is very useful and does make a good point.
I've found, in that same website, another article on the subject with a list of sites that, according to them, offer high-quality, safe free themes. But it's true, I'll most likely find some really good premium themes that will be worth paying for (even if I can't afford a veery expensive one for now)

Thanks a lot, Shawn.

JokerNikx · Feb 24, 2013

Search For A Templeate In Themeforest Or Else Where

Grab Templeate's Name Google It Or Request Here For Nulled

Cheers,
Nik

Would it be too risky to use this free WP theme?

Ginger_Ale

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Monkshood

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Wilson Grant Fisk

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Endire

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Ginger_Ale

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Ginger_Ale

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JokerNikx

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