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How To Adopt a Modified Plugin Copy With BetterShield?

2 min read

Use a reviewed modified plugin as the local baseline when no trustworthy published checksum is available.

In BetterShield, some plugin packages cannot be compared with a published WordPress.org copy. The Files screen can offer an adoption action for the installed copy.

What it does

Adoption records the current plugin files as the trusted local baseline. Later code changes are reported against that snapshot. Adoption does not prove that the current code came from the vendor or is free of unwanted changes.

Step 1: Adopt a Modified Plugin Copy

Verify the package through the vendor, deployment artifact, or your own source control. On the plugin’s Files row, choose the adoption action and confirm it.

BetterShield Files tab showing package status and actions for a plugin copy without published checksums.
Adoption is for a copy you have independently verified and intend to keep.

Prefer a clean reinstall from a trusted vendor package when one is available. Adopt only when the installed customization is intentional and documented.

What it can break and how to undo

Adopting the wrong copy makes that copy the reference point. Replace the plugin with a trusted package and run the file check again to establish the correct state.

Final Outcome

The package should show as adopted or checked rather than unresolved. A later file change should create a new result.

BetterShield Files tab showing package status and actions for a plugin copy without published checksums.
Example Adopt a plugin copy view. Check the saved values and status on your own site.

This is how you can adopt a modified plugin copy with BetterShield.

Getting Stuck? Feel free to contact our Dedicated Support Team.

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Install the free plugin. The first audit runs when you activate it, and all but one of the fixes wait for your choice.

Requires WordPress 6.7 or newer and PHP 8.0 or newer.

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