A PrestaShop-based online store is a powerful tool for e-commerce, but its stability and security depend directly on the integrity of the platform's core. Unfortunately, in practice, the core is often manually modified — sometimes out of ignorance, sometimes in a rush, and sometimes by third-party developers who disregard best practices. In this article, we’ll explore why this is dangerous, how to identify such changes, and how to manage them properly. 🔍
Why You Should Never Modify the Core ⚠️
1. Security. Any unauthorized core modification may introduce vulnerabilities or malicious code. Hackers often disguise their actions as “normal” changes.
2. Upgradability. If the core is modified, updating PrestaShop can result in errors, data loss, or complete site failure.
3. Support and Compatibility. The standard core is the foundation that modules, themes, and tools rely on. Deviations cause chaos and unpredictable behavior.
The main rule: never modify PrestaShop core files directly. All customizations should be done via modules, hooks, or official overrides. 🛠️
How to Check if the PrestaShop Core Has Been Modified 🔎
✅ The Easiest Way — Through the Admin Panel
Go to Advanced Parameters → Information and look for the "List of changed files" block. PrestaShop automatically verifies the checksums of original core files and shows which ones have been altered.
What is a Checksum?
A checksum (commonly using the SHA-1 algorithm) is a unique “fingerprint” of a file. If even a single byte is changed, the checksum will change too. PrestaShop uses checksums to determine whether a file matches the original. It’s a reliable way to detect whether core files have been modified. 🔐
What to Do If the Core Is Modified 🧯
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Make a Backup. Copy all modified files — they may contain important changes (but it’s best to understand why they were made).
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Analyze the Changes. Often these were quick fixes: bug patches, performance tweaks, third-party module insertions. All of this should be moved out of the core.
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Move Changes to Modules or Hooks. You may need a developer’s help to implement the changes correctly.
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Restore the Core to Its Clean Version. After transferring all changes, revert core files to their original state to maintain a stable foundation.
How to Avoid Problems in the Future 🚀
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❌ Don’t touch the core. Even if it feels “necessary” — there’s always a proper way using extensions.
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✅ Update PrestaShop regularly. It’s not just about new features — it’s about security too.
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✅ Use only trusted developers and modules.
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✅ Check the “List of changed files” in the admin panel periodically.
The integrity of the PrestaShop core is the foundation of your online store’s stability 🧱. Modifying the core might seem like a quick solution, but in reality, it leads to bugs, security issues, and broken updates.
Keep the core clean, check it for changes, and update PrestaShop regularly. These are minimal but critically important steps toward a successful and secure store. 💡
