WARNING for "All in one Adsense and YPN" plugin users

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I don't know if there is a thread about this, but I think every Wordpress user has to know this.

There is a plugin called "All in one adsense and ypn" which lets you quickly integrate adsense and yahoo partner ads in your wordpress posts.

However, there is a catch, an option to donate % of earnings to the makers of the plugin. Even if you disable it or set it to 0%, some percentage of your earnings will go in their adsense account.

How did I find this out?

I searched the .php file of the plugin for adsense account and channel info and found a foreign channel and adsense id. I changed the adsense id to mine and changed the channel to my "test" channel, which was created specifically for the purpose of seeing if the plugin is stealing my earnings.

I let it stay for a few days and what a surprise! The "test" channel was generating income and views. This confirms my suspicion! The plugin will steal your earnings even if it is set to 0%.

Either change the adsense id with your own or don't use the plugin altogether!
#plugin #users #warning
  • Profile picture of the author DireStraits
    Originally Posted by LetsGoViral View Post

    I don't know if there is a thread about this, but I think every Wordpress user has to know this.

    There is a plugin called "All in one adsense and ypn" which lets you quickly integrate adsense and yahoo partner ads in your wordpress posts.

    However, there is a catch, an option to donate % of earnings to the makers of the plugin. Even if you disable it or set it to 0%, some percentage of your earnings will go in their adsense account.

    How did I find this out?

    I searched the .php file of the plugin for adsense account and channel info and found a foreign channel and adsense id. I changed the adsense id to mine and changed the channel to my "test" channel, which was created specifically for the purpose of seeing if the plugin is stealing my earnings.

    I let it stay for a few days and what a surprise! The "test" channel was generating income and views. This confirms my suspicion! The plugin will steal your earnings even if it is set to 0%.

    Either change the adsense id with your own or don't use the plugin altogether!
    Interesting. I use this plugin on some of my Wordpress-based AdSense sites.

    I must confess, I was a little skeptical and uneasy about whether or not some portion of my earnings/clicks would go to the plugin author even if I'd specified to share 0% of my site's impressions. I did rigorously check my sites' HTML source (many, many times) to make sure it was always my AdSense ID being returned, and looked through the plugin PHP to see if anything blatantly fishy was going on, but never saw anything "wrong".

    But now you say this, you've got me in a panic.

    Approximately what percentage of your total impressions were actually credited to that channel, if I may ask?
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    • Profile picture of the author LetsGoViral
      Originally Posted by DireStraits View Post

      Interesting. I use this plugin on some of my Wordpress-based AdSense sites.

      I must confess, I was a little skeptical and uneasy about whether or not some portion of my earnings/clicks would go to the plugin author even if I'd specified to share 0% of my site's impressions. I did rigorously check the the HTML source (many, many times) to make sure it was always my AdSense ID being returned, and looked through the plugin PHP to see if anything blatantly fishy was going on, but never saw anything "wrong".

      But now you say this, you've got me in a panic.

      Approximately what percentage of your total impressions were actually credited to that channel, if I may ask?
      From 2000 page impressions total from which 274 where stolen, so that's about...15% or something? Not sure, my calculator is not working.
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  • Profile picture of the author lotsofsnow
    I never used the plugin, but thank you for the heads up.
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  • Profile picture of the author gittar1122
    Nice information about All in one Adsense and YPN, I will check it for my adsense plugin as well. I am using Easy AdSense for my blogs.

    Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author Frank Ayres
    Originally Posted by LetsGoViral View Post


    How did I find this out?

    I searched the .php file of the plugin for adsense account and channel info and found a foreign channel and adsense id. I changed the adsense id to mine and changed the channel to my "test" channel, which was created specifically for the purpose of seeing if the plugin is stealing my earnings.

    I let it stay for a few days and what a surprise! The "test" channel was generating income and views. This confirms my suspicion! The plugin will steal your earnings even if it is set to 0%.

    Either change the adsense id with your own or don't use the plugin altogether!
    It says it quite clearly on the plugin web site so i dont think they are being anything wrong

    Disclaimer: this plugin contains a donation option, which allow users to donate a small percentage of their earnings to the author of this plugin. When this option is enabled, the author's adsense ads will occasionally appear on the plugin user's website (determined by the percentage entered by the plugin user). The options enabled by default and can be turned off by entering 0 in the percentage box.
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    • Profile picture of the author cjreynolds
      Originally Posted by Frank Ayres View Post

      It says it quite clearly on the plugin web site so i dont think they are being anything wrong
      Disclaimer: this plugin contains a donation option, which allow users to donate a small percentage of their earnings to the author of this plugin. When this option is enabled, the author's adsense ads will occasionally appear on the plugin user's website (determined by the percentage entered by the plugin user). The options enabled by default and can be turned off by entering 0 in the percentage box.
      That's what's wrong with it - if entering '0' in the percentage field doesn't turn it off, then they're lying (and stealing).
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      • Profile picture of the author DireStraits
        Originally Posted by cjreynolds View Post

        That's what's wrong with it - if entering '0' in the percentage field doesn't turn it off, then they're lying (and stealing).
        That would be the issue, if indeed that were the case. But I've tested this by hard-coding my own AdSense Publisher ID and a custom channel into the script, and I received zero impressions/clicks through that channel.

        So I'm no longer convinced there's anything insidious about this plugin. Just make sure you do enter a "0" in the donations field, and you should be all right ... I think.
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  • Profile picture of the author F1SEO
    Originally Posted by LetsGoViral View Post

    I don't know if there is a thread about this, but I think every Wordpress user has to know this.

    There is a plugin called "All in one adsense and ypn" which lets you quickly integrate adsense and yahoo partner ads in your wordpress posts.

    However, there is a catch, an option to donate % of earnings to the makers of the plugin. Even if you disable it or set it to 0%, some percentage of your earnings will go in their adsense account.

    How did I find this out?

    I searched the .php file of the plugin for adsense account and channel info and found a foreign channel and adsense id. I changed the adsense id to mine and changed the channel to my "test" channel, which was created specifically for the purpose of seeing if the plugin is stealing my earnings.

    I let it stay for a few days and what a surprise! The "test" channel was generating income and views. This confirms my suspicion! The plugin will steal your earnings even if it is set to 0%.

    Either change the adsense id with your own or don't use the plugin altogether!
    I have this plugin on a few personal sites and never realised that it was happening. That's really sneaky!

    Well I'm off to de-install on a couple of my blogs. If someone wants some cash for a plugin they should make me aware of it, not just take it.
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    • Profile picture of the author F1SEO
      Very well spotted there LetsGoViral

      I've had a look at the code and it's there! So I've got rid of the plugin and quickly coded my own version.

      Dirty underhanded tactics.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexander CPA
    To be honest, this was a obvious move to make, definitely going to be writing a blog post about this.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dele
      Thank you for the heads up.

      Does anyone know whether this is also happening to "Quick Adsense" since i use this plugin?

      Thanks.
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      • Profile picture of the author LetsGoViral
        Originally Posted by Dele View Post

        Thank you for the heads up.

        Does anyone know whether this is also happening to "Quick Adsense" since i use this plugin?

        Thanks.
        It could be. It's not hard to run through the code and check any unknown adsense accounts. If you find any, just change for your own - problem solved! You don't even have to reinstall the plugin!
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  • Profile picture of the author socialbookmark
    Thanks a lot for your notification. It was excellent. I have used it on one of my blogs but i didn't followed the statistics of it yet. Now i removed the plugin.
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    • Profile picture of the author Crew Chief
      James, although I don't use that plugin, that is a awesome catch and thanks for notifying your fellow WF Members and family.

      When one looks at the numbers, it's easy to say why the vendor set things up so that masses didn't catch what was going on. He would make more money taking a percentage of the earnings of the users for a lifetime versus a person buying the WP Plugin outright.

      That just goes to prove that one must be on their "A" Game in this business!

      Giles, the Crew Chief
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  • Ouch.. I am also using this plugin. Which plugin should I use instead?
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  • Profile picture of the author webtrading
    Just a heads up that Yahoo shut-down YPN in April so it's interesting the Adsense/YPN plugin is still working. The link to the story is below:

    http://davidgreen.com/yahoo-publishe...tting-down.htm
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    • Profile picture of the author bradlean
      I heard an "All in one Seo" and then there is what you called

      All in one Adsense.

      Is this for free?

      Anyway, thanks for the keyword better try to search may be there is free plugin for all in one adsense... Lol

      Try also adsense manager plugin its for free just go to wordpress.org click on
      the extended then search for plugin. You can also get that plugin adsense manager for free.
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  • It is very important not just to install any plugin that one comes across.
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  • Profile picture of the author peter gibson
    Originally Posted by LetsGoViral View Post

    I don't know if there is a thread about this, but I think every Wordpress user has to know this.

    There is a plugin called "All in one adsense and ypn" which lets you quickly integrate adsense and yahoo partner ads in your wordpress posts.

    However, there is a catch, an option to donate % of earnings to the makers of the plugin. Even if you disable it or set it to 0%, some percentage of your earnings will go in their adsense account.

    How did I find this out?

    I searched the .php file of the plugin for adsense account and channel info and found a foreign channel and adsense id. I changed the adsense id to mine and changed the channel to my "test" channel, which was created specifically for the purpose of seeing if the plugin is stealing my earnings.

    I let it stay for a few days and what a surprise! The "test" channel was generating income and views. This confirms my suspicion! The plugin will steal your earnings even if it is set to 0%.

    Either change the adsense id with your own or don't use the plugin altogether!
    Bro seriously well spotted. Great lesson for those who don't check the code when downloading plugins. Lesson? Always check the code.
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    • Originally Posted by peter gibson View Post

      Bro seriously well spotted. Great lesson for those who don't check the code when downloading plugins. Lesson? Always check the code.
      It's really a very complicated situation because not many people understand the codes. To many people, seeing the codes of a plugin is just like going through Chinese language characters. They cannot interpret the plugin codes.
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      • Profile picture of the author peter gibson
        Originally Posted by wordpresstrainingpackage View Post

        It's really a very complicated situation because not many people understand the codes. To many people, seeing the codes of a plugin is just like going through Chinese language characters. They cannot interpret the plugin codes.
        True enough. Having said that, when I lived in China I learned how to understand Chinese, and even went as far as to speak the language conversationally after enough exposure. Made it easier to buy milk and such

        Your point is a valid one though, and could stand even further as a lesson to newbs. Lesson? If you don't have a clue about the things you put on your sites, learn about it - even if only the basics.
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        • Originally Posted by peter gibson View Post

          True enough. Having said that, when I lived in China I learned how to understand Chinese, and even went as far as to speak the language conversationally after enough exposure. Made it easier to buy milk and such

          Your point is a valid one though, and could stand even further as a lesson to newbs. Lesson? If you don't have a clue about the things you put on your sites, learn about it - even if only the basics.
          Waow! In fact, I really admire foreigners who learn and are able to speak the languages with special characters.

          Internet marketing is now getting to a situation whereby one should not only learn how to create backlinks, drive traffic to websites, etc. One should now go further by having some basic knowledge of coding. Knowing and being able to interpret such codes could make a real difference between making money online and just struggling with adsense cents. In addition, the knowledge helps to be able to fully protect one's websites against internet thieves and hackers.
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        • Profile picture of the author swriviera
          "Originally Posted by wordpresstrainingpackage
          It's really a very complicated situation because not many people understand the codes. To many people, seeing the codes of a plugin is just like going through Chinese language characters. They cannot interpret the plugin codes.

          Originally Posted by peter gibson View Post

          True enough. Having said that, when I lived in China I learned how to understand Chinese, and even went as far as to speak the language conversationally after enough exposure. Made it easier to buy milk and such

          Your point is a valid one though, and could stand even further as a lesson to newbs. Lesson? If you don't have a clue about the things you put on your sites, learn about it - even if only the basics.

          This is great thread even if it is a bit old ... still very good information.
          I'm checking the plugins that were install in a done-for-you package.

          I agree that it is best to learn at least the basics when we can ...
          However, if we follow your reasoning most people would never turn on the lights in their house, drive a car, use a computer, ride in an elevator etc etc

          Sometimes we have to be able to trust the people who say they are the experts.

          It may be stated somewhere hidden in their description in small text, but I also would rather they give me the choice. I don't have a problem "paying" for a product that works ... but up to 15% on every transaction is abusive especially for a "free" product.
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  • Profile picture of the author pavionjsl
    I deleted all adsense plugins and income did a nice jump.
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    • Profile picture of the author DavidParnell
      I have this plugin on a few sites... I really like the functionality.

      Instead of uninstalling, how exactly do I check the code and make the necessary changes?

      Thanks,

      David
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      • Profile picture of the author DireStraits
        Originally Posted by DavidParnell View Post

        I have this plugin on a few sites... I really like the functionality.

        Instead of uninstalling, how exactly do I check the code and make the necessary changes?

        Thanks,

        David
        Well, I can honestly say, David, that I changed the PHP code for my plugin to utilise my own AdSense Publisher ID and a custom channel and, with the percentage box (in the plugin configuration panel) set to 0%, I've never seen any impressions or clicks show up on that channel over the last few months.

        So I'm not entirely convinced there ever was anything underhand/sneaky going on with this plugin. Just be sure to put a "0" in the appropriate box within the plugin's configuration panel, and you should be a-okay.
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  • Profile picture of the author JSProjects
    Interesting. I've used it myself on a few sites in the past. (Though, not recently.)
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    • Profile picture of the author thebarksmeow
      I'm going to remove it from my sites just because I hate sneaky stuff like this.
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  • Profile picture of the author razorhound
    Thank god you bumped up this thread, didn't know about this and I'm just gonna deactivate the plugin. Does anyone know if there is any other adsense plugin similar to this one?
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  • Profile picture of the author billjoyce
    Thanks I was getting ready to install this on a couple of my blogs. Is there a decent alternative.Saw someone asked this question. Ddn't see the answer if there was one Must be javing a senior moment

    Ta
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  • Profile picture of the author Heavenstorm
    its best to add the adsense code directly into your editor from wordpress. If you really wanna use a plugin I will recommend "quick adsense" plugin for WP
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  • Profile picture of the author InitialEffort
    Yes, people should either hardcode or use the AzSno Adsense Plugin which is similar but has the 8% or whatever part of the rotator removed.
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  • Profile picture of the author jcbradley
    i found this out last night, really rubbed me the wrong way, and we thought forced continuity was a bad thing.
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    I tried warning people about Adsense plugin scams, they just don't want to hear it.

    All I have to say is, anyone that thinks they need a plugin to install Adsense on a web page is risking getting ripped off.

    Just paste the Adsense code into your theme/site & skip the risk.

    Good luck!
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    • Profile picture of the author yukon
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Mike Grant View Post

      ****, maybe I should have an Adsense plugin developed
      LMAO!

      Just copy the existing rip off plugins & change the pub-#

      Just playing, before everyone starts freakin out.
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  • Profile picture of the author FivestarHB
    Warrior Foruum to the rescue! Thanks all. I have used that plugin for a couple of years, and have been watching my rev go down recently. Go and check code and sure enough my pub ID was different to mine. I think perhaps a recent "update" to the plugin may have reset the pubID - very sneaky. I just switched over to Quick Adsense - seems to be better because it uses actual Adsense code from my account.
    Lesson - don't just trust - check everything.
    thankyou all again.
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  • Profile picture of the author eguynth
    Also can some one suggest a legit adsense plugin for WP?
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  • Profile picture of the author StarN9
    Nice information about All in one Adsense and YPN, I will check it for my adsense plugin as well. I am using Easy AdSense for my blogs.
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  • Profile picture of the author xylement
    Wow... luckily I did not use any plugin for adsense =P
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  • Profile picture of the author wongsableng
    nice info, I want to using this plugin but .. I decision deactivate this plugin from my blog
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    • Profile picture of the author Hellas
      Latest versions pull his adsense pub from remote location even if 0 inserted...

      Code:
      http://adsense.linewbie.com/pub
      btw he has new adsense pub.
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  • Profile picture of the author kokopelli
    Yes, I also used All in one Adsense and YPN until a year or two ago, when I was made aware of the "skimming", and stopped. But, the author of this plugin not only skims from users, he also used the plugin code from a plugin called "Adsense Injection" by Dax "The Hammer" Herrera without accreditation (I reported it here).

    BTW I see there is now a plugin WordPress › All in One Adsense and YPN Pro « WordPress Plugins, that claims to be a fork of the offending plugin, and to have removed the "forced-donation" aspects ... haven't used it, so don't know if it's true or not.

    Not all Adsense plugins are bad, I sometimes use Wp-Insert, and haven't experienced anything negative so far.
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  • Profile picture of the author Go4DBest
    I know this is an old thread but what's the best alternative for All in one Adsense and YPN? Personally, I really like this plugin..

    Also, what codes should we edit? Please direct me so that I can change it....
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    • Profile picture of the author DireStraits
      Originally Posted by Go4DBest View Post

      I know this is an old thread but what's the best alternative for All in one Adsense and YPN? Personally, I really like this plugin..

      Also, what codes should we edit? Please direct me so that I can change it....
      I switched plugins a while back myself, but not out of security concerns. I just needed more flexibility.

      Quick AdSense (current ver. 1.9.1) fit the bill nicely for me.
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