How to Protect WordPress Theme Footer Links

Besides containing content that is displayed at the bottom of a website, such as meta tags and blog archives, the footer file of a WordPress theme often includes contact and copyright information and links. Although this information generally does not need to be protected, many WordPress theme designers who offer themes for download use code encryption to protect a WordPress theme's footer links. Encrypt your footer code to prevent people from removing or altering links included in your WordPress theme.

Instructions

1. Open your WordPress theme's footer.php file inside a text or HTML editor, such as Notepad.

2. Highlight and copy the complete footer code or the portion of the code that you want to protect. Leave the footer.php file open.

3. Navigate to the "Source Code Encrypter" on DynamicDrive.com.

4. Paste the footer code into the large empty box.

5. Click the "Encrypt" button below the box.

6. Highlight and copy the encrypted footer code.

7. Return to the footer.php file and delete the original code.

8. Paste the encrypted footer code into the footer.php file.

9. Save the footer.php file with the encrypted code. Re-upload the footer.php file, if necessary.

References

• Dynamic Drive: Source Code Encrypter
• WordPress.org: Stepping into Templates