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How is pirating software a thing? (discuss.tchncs.de)

submitted 2 years ago by alexg_k@discuss.tchncs.de to c/piracy@lemmy.dbzer0.com

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I understand that sharing video, photos, documents etc. is relatively safe because the data is not executed in the processor as instructions. How come people are willing to download and install pirated software though? How can one be confident that it does not contain malicious addons? Are people just don't know the risks? Or are there protection mechanisms that I am missing? I mean since the software is usually cracked there is not much use in comparing checksums with the originals, is it?

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[-] pre@feddit.uk 139 points 2 years ago

Worth noting that paying for a license for software doesn't stop it being spying malware either. In fact the pirate versions often take out the spying and the reporting-to-homebase that proprietary software does.

The photoshop that phones home to check a license is arguably more malicious than the pirate version that has been cracked so it doesn't do that.

[-] alexg_k@discuss.tchncs.de 14 points 2 years ago

Good and valid point. I use opensource software wherever I can.

Though paid software is not going to encrypt your data for ransom or use a keylogger to steal bitcoin (yet).

[-] NullGator@lemmy.ca 7 points 2 years ago

There was an antivirus that was caught running a bitcoin miner in the background tbf. If memory serves it was Norton?

[-] burntpotatoes@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

atleast they admitted it, still don't trust mcafee though...

[-] AzzyDev@beehaw.org 2 points 2 years ago

It was opt-in, and I think to make your subscription cheaper. Then again, Norton sucks!

this post was submitted on 03 Aug 2023

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