Pirated Virus/Spyware

Just out of curiosity, I have seen a lot of pirate spyware and virus programs such as Norton whilst browsing. How can you use an unregistered product like this which needs to update on the internet every day? Surely they (the company) would notice?

I am not considering downloading any pirate software as I am well covered with Freeware products(AVG,ZA,Asquared). I was just thinking it seems a bit daft that you would have a program like this which you cant update?

confused

 

Not necessarily. May be updates can be down manually by getting zip or whatever files from ftp server. Is the case for Kaspersky for example. However same Kaspersky also say illegal copies can update all they want, database wont be used because of mismatch in unique signatures or something So they claim, could be some versions actually works and they only try to scare people off. Good pirated software does appear to be registered and/or take account for resistance from maker - if it was easy to prevent there would be less traffic on internet, less virus/spyware too.

You have to evaluate each program, each workaround licensing to figure out "stability". Im 98% clean now (still a big fan of nocd/dvds...) but have used tons of these, I think may be a handful of those programs Ive received on a hefty discount were uncrackable. More have limitations in one way or another. Most are as functional as the one you paid for. Quite a few of them include virus, spyware so highly important you have working AV. You dont want to install cracks or cracked software without working protection.

 

Thanks for the reply. I just want to make clear I am not going to be using any pirated software, I was just curious about this. I have been looking around the internet lately for the first time in a few years, seems like the pirates are well and truly running riot. Along with the conmen and the malware writers. Theyve always been there but surely never like this?!

 

It is a big subject and not all black and white. Music industry might have shot themself in the foot years ago and blah blah. Trying to justify is not my business - each find out what is ok or not. I think it can be ok. Complicated in some areas, like for example music. An old survey done in this country showed that those who downloaded most illegal music also were those who bought most music, went to most concerts so perhaps industry should be happy? Can be compared to Microsoft and other companies almost giving away licenses to students because they know there will be spin offs later. Is Microsoft following market rules here? I dont think so. Means people lose touch of value vs. product, all is relative.

Yeah it is crazy what you can get. A handful of top bittorrent sites is enough to fill up all the hds you can afford. Pornmovie traffic is the most heavy on internet overall I read recently. As more and more people get faster connections traffic increases, just the way it is.

I would estimate 80-90% of all people registered at Majorgeeks have used illegal software in one form or another. Majority easily. Same goes everywhere else. Why I dont like the holy attitude, only few are! - but giving the finger to market rules dont work either. How Starforce, DRM etc. gets born. Since market/companies can seem like more greedy than consumers I figure out my own morale

True that virus, spyware would not be such a problem had it not been for the way illegal software is distributed. Tight connection for sure. Strange media like Cnet and similar show much interest for ie. a theoretic browser exploit no one understand or should care about when other known problems are much more relevant. Remember that Myspace banner exploit? 1 million or more who got infected. Only possible because they used not updated, in most cases illegal XP. I hope this Malware removal forum at Majorgeeks refuse to help people with not updated OS - like pissing in your pants, wasting time. Cracking OS and security software is daft no doubt.

 

Well the interaction with "victim" will probably show what intentions he/she has - and help adjusted accordingly. I just know from myself that when you are into this all you want is swift solution to annoyance = real problem is not understood. Goal is moving on to next incoming which is more of what caused problem! I understand the point of zombie computers but if whoever use cracked OS and clearly dont want to upgrade for same reason no help should be offered - only way to deal with it.

"honestly" is the problem. Hard to tell what is honest or not on internet. We are all merely IPs, not personally responsible :cool Stealing on internet is not the same as stealing in a shop for example. Different worlds but same rules applies, messy. I guess I assume most are guilty until proven innocent. Give higest hitrate Im afraid.

Those who try to clean up must have big heart and tons of patience. Feel free to kick my butt Wayne82 but you dont just run into "pirate software virus programs such as Norton whilst browsing" You might as well have searched cheap software on purpose and have interest in obtaining. Just not entirely sure if it is ok! What about updates? do they work? Am I wrong or right? I have seen your "all posts" link, enough to know Im wrong but be careful is all I have to say. You seem to be a spender which is good for the industry. My advice is to keep money in pocket until you know exactly what and why to buy. Buy only what you actually use, have need for and is not already covered by opensource/freeware - not always the same as what you think, want or are being told

 

LOLlol!

Ill be honest here with you. I have noticed Norton and the like on Torrent sites. I have got a copy of BitTorrent here and I used to have LimeWire before that. I guarantee as soon as you go on any torrent site, even on just the hompage, there are the newest software titles, films, etc.

I wasnt asking about it with the intention of downloading any Virus Programs and that is hand on heart. Yes you dont know me but I know I aint a liar, I have been locked up in the real world for stealing among other things (im not going to go into any details for obvious reasons). But one thing Im not is a liar or dumb enough to go on a site asking a question like that knowing they could report me to my IP!

I have a copy of Computer SHOPPER here from April 07, It reveiwed 12 Virus Programs with 5208 test attacks and the biggest commercial ones came off the worst. Symantec are CRAP! It came worse off than Grisoft, who came 5th. The reveiw spoke of how crappy these big virus companies are and how they are ripping everyone off. So to be honest Im happy with what ive got. AVG Free, Zonealarm Free, Asquared Free and Ashampoo Antispy (free with a mag!).

Finally I have used pirate software, dvds and cds, like you say who hasnt. But im all for supporting a company if they serve me well. For example if I like a singer I may download their songs but I also go out and spend £13 on one of their albums.

Just thought Id say my piece Bambo lol

 

Some companies leave themselves wide open for piracy. Symantec's Corporate series places the core files (re: the actual AV scanner and installer) in a separate folder on the installation CD, ripe for copying. The installer for the CD asks for your key, the msi for the core files do not - no serial, no problems, and it does update. They do this because they expect the AV to be rolled out from your server when you join a machine to a business domain, and want a hands-off installation.

It's a matter of convenience for the paying clients.

It's known that the major audio recording programs are often "hacked" and released before the retail boxes get on the shelves. The manufacturers look at it as bug-testing, and some are known to incorporate the "free" improvements in their own updates.

As long as there is shareware, free trials, and the ability to download full versions from the company sites, there will be piracy. The pirates consider it "beta testing", and the companies try to keep their programs connected, calling home to verify themselves. Adobe is one company that vigorously persues piracy, as does Autocad. Microsoft is constantly hacked because it's - Microsoft...

And sometimes it's just stupidity. Last year, I had an intern who helped upgrade many work machines from Win2000 to XP Pro. After rolling out the daylight savings patch, I discovered nearly a dozen machines that he had used "known bad" corporate keys, instead of the ones we paid for. Why, I don't know. All had the IE start page changed to the "Your version of Windows may be illegal" start page. Took a lot of man-hours to fix...