Risks of software piracy

Not legal, but technical and security risks of software piracy.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• LastXP
• last
• xp
• windows
• pirate
• piracy
• software
• computer
• virus
• automatic
• updates
• patch
• patches
• microsoft
• p2p
• utorrent
• torrent
• download

[maw88ify]

That is why you just get the trail copy of Windows 7, and a crack... I never download pre-cracked copies ... Plus I always turn off all update , because 9 time out of 10 my computer will get a update and crash ... After I turned off updates it no longer crashes...

All you need is a virtual sand-box, and you would never get any viruses ... I also use Linux Mint ...

[cbiltcliffe]

@maw88ify

You don't get it. This isn't a "how to pirate Windows safely" video. It's a "why software piracy can be risky" video.

Downloading the crack can be just as risky as downloading the pre-cracked copy. How do you know the crack isn't going to turn all this stuff off the same way?

And if you run without any updates, ever, you're probably already owned, you just don't know it yet.

Also, your virtual sandbox helps, but isn't foolproof. Don't get a false sense of security.

[bluephreakr]

@cbiltcliffe There is one fault in your logic. Lots of the smart pirates around the world actually run Linux. Viruses from LastXP are no problem, because when running in a virtual machine, any old copy of Windows XP, be it this LastXP BS or some other pirated OS will not have the same legal risks and ramifications because all the web browsing would be done in the native Linux environment.

Fortunately I don't play that game, but it's just another angle to consider.

[cbiltcliffe]

@bluephreakr

Lots of smart pirates do run Linux. But if you do _anything_ in the Windows VM, then it's at risk. Also, there are security holes in VM software quite regularly which allow access to the host OS from the guest, which would nullify the security advantages of doing this.

A false sense of security is worse than no security at all.

[ballader1]

what antivirus do you recommend to people that are heavy internet users?

[cbiltcliffe]

Avast has always been good in my experience.

Antivir is another good one.

I have yet to find a commercial product that is better than any of the free ones in a way that matters.

[travelsonic]

"How do you know the crack isn't going to turn all this stuff off the same way?"

Well, if somebody torrented, most websites have comments on them, and it is easy to READ them to see input about said torrent.

[88119966]

is you want a free operating system use ubuntu

[100PercentTHCfilms]

updates do work on pirated copys of windows it just depends on what copy u downloaded

[cdubmeyer]

@cbiltcliffe I've been pirating shit for 2 years dude, and I have thousands of pirated stuff on both my computers, the fact is, is if you know what you are doing there is no risk. Using peerblocker or a proxy while downloading it, knowing who to download it from etc. Not getting updates doesn't do a damn thing, nobody is owned, Adobe is the only main software that you should never update with and I don't and it has worked fine for 2 years. Other software u gotta watch out for a specific update

[paulspydar]

just get a legit windows OS and "acquire" a license key , there not hard to get hold of.

[Machinipaper]

I've never actually used these 'customized' versions of windows, just cracked versions of ordinary retail Windows, never had any problems, and most settings/services are exactly the same as legitimate copy. But yeah that's not to say it couldn't be modified to be part of a botnet or something though.

[bluephreakr]

@cbiltcliffe Sandbox, and keep Windows offline. Else if you need the internet connection, then just use strict rules with a firewall (or two, or three like I know some people do).

Else the only other thing that can be done is to run Windows on another rig with the same (very) tight firewall rules. Maybe, also run the router's firewall and if the so-called "Smart pirate" get in touch with someone running a botnet, have all internet activity travel through there. Kinda like running Tor, sans TOS.

[maw88ify]

@cbiltcliffe I have friends that work at HP, DELL, and we have been doing computer stuff for year. Trust me I know a lot about computer, and my computer is clean. As of right now there is no known virus that can get out of a Virtual Sandbox.

Look up a video called "Free Now, Pay Later: Microsoft Turns Piracy into Profit " Bill Gates said he wants people to pirate Microsoft software to get them hooked... The same reason he started bizspark, and dreamspark.