Cracked software 101
Posted by: Timothy Weaver on 04/24/2015 08:26 AM
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What are the dangers of downloading cracked software?
For starters, most cracked software is riddled with malware. Your AV software may or may not flag it or you may think it is a false positive. But you are running the chance that your system will slow down, send out your information, bringing in friends, damage your files and so on. You also run the risk that the malware will capture your credit card and bank account numbers, passwords and address books, all of which can be immediately exploited by identity thieves.
Secondly, the software may not work. Most software vendors have implemented a way to check the authenticity of their products. While the software may work for a while, any update may render it useless. If you disable auto updates, you run the added risk of having no vulnerability patches for you.
If you’re considering installing a bootleg copy of Windows, you should know that, after running some tests on 6 different copies, the following issues were found: 2 of the copies had malware embedded, and all of them had Windows Update disabled and the Windows Firewall rules changed. It might not seem much, but keep in mind that Microsoft fixes vulnerabilities through Windows Updates, and the Windows Firewall can act as a malware repellent.
Here is a story of someone who downloaded cracked software and after deciding to resell it, found himself in a world of hurt:
In August 2013 I purchased on eBay a used copy of a language learning software program for $150. I never used or installed it since, in the meantime, I had purchased a new copy of the latest version on Amazon.
A couple of months ago, I decided to sell the unused old version back on eBay. Two days later the item was pulled from eBay because it was counterfeit, and a lawyer from the software company called me and asked me to return the software and pay punitive damages of $800.
I argued that I had no idea that the software was counterfeit. He said it does not matter; selling counterfeit software, even unknowingly, is against the law.
I understand the reasoning, but it seems harsh to punish this way a first-time offender with no malicious intent. I might have been naïve, but certainly not evil. Yet he would not let me off with a warning and pursued the punitive settlement.
Source: Bitdefender
For starters, most cracked software is riddled with malware. Your AV software may or may not flag it or you may think it is a false positive. But you are running the chance that your system will slow down, send out your information, bringing in friends, damage your files and so on. You also run the risk that the malware will capture your credit card and bank account numbers, passwords and address books, all of which can be immediately exploited by identity thieves.Secondly, the software may not work. Most software vendors have implemented a way to check the authenticity of their products. While the software may work for a while, any update may render it useless. If you disable auto updates, you run the added risk of having no vulnerability patches for you.
If you’re considering installing a bootleg copy of Windows, you should know that, after running some tests on 6 different copies, the following issues were found: 2 of the copies had malware embedded, and all of them had Windows Update disabled and the Windows Firewall rules changed. It might not seem much, but keep in mind that Microsoft fixes vulnerabilities through Windows Updates, and the Windows Firewall can act as a malware repellent.
Here is a story of someone who downloaded cracked software and after deciding to resell it, found himself in a world of hurt:
In August 2013 I purchased on eBay a used copy of a language learning software program for $150. I never used or installed it since, in the meantime, I had purchased a new copy of the latest version on Amazon.
A couple of months ago, I decided to sell the unused old version back on eBay. Two days later the item was pulled from eBay because it was counterfeit, and a lawyer from the software company called me and asked me to return the software and pay punitive damages of $800.
I argued that I had no idea that the software was counterfeit. He said it does not matter; selling counterfeit software, even unknowingly, is against the law.
I understand the reasoning, but it seems harsh to punish this way a first-time offender with no malicious intent. I might have been naïve, but certainly not evil. Yet he would not let me off with a warning and pursued the punitive settlement.
Source: Bitdefender
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