BleepingComputer.com: looking for good security that is "pirate" friendly

As I am one who dislikes buying games before trying them, I will get a bit-torrent version and then delete it after I decide wether or not it is worth $45+... Naturaly this is a dangerous thing to do, as the cracks that exist for games could easily be a virus. So what securities are suggested for those in my line of computer useage? I have the following already: Norton 360, Malware Bytes, Default security for windows 7.

The practice of using cracking tools, keygens, warez or any pirated software is not only considered illegal activity but it is a serious security risk.

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trendmicro.com/vinfo

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Keygen and Crack Sites Distribute VIRUX and FakeAV

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University of Washington spyware study

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Bad Web Sites: Malware

When you use these kind of programs, be forewarned that some of the worst types of malware infections can be contracted and spread by visiting crack, keygen, warez and other pirated software sites. In many cases, those sites are infested with a smörgåsbord of malware and an increasing source of system infection. Those who attempt to get software for free can end up with a computer system so badly damaged that recovery is not possible and it cannot be repaired. When that happens there is nothing you can do besides reformatting and reinstalling the OS.

I strongly recommend that you remove all cracks and keygens.


Using any torrent, peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing program (i.e. Limewire, eMule, Kontiki, BitTorrent, BitComet, uTorrent, BitLord, BearShare, Azureus/Vuze) or visiting such sites is a security risk which can make your system susceptible to a smörgåsbord of malware infections, remote attacks, and exposure of personal information. File sharing networks are thoroughly infected and infested with malware according to Senior Virus Analyst, Norman ASA. As such, it is not uncommon for some anti-virus/anti-malware disinfection tools to detect torrent related files and programs as a threat and attempt to remove them.

The reason for this is that file sharing relies on its members giving and gaining unfettered access to computers across the P2P network. This practice can make you vulnerable to data and identity theft, system infection and remote access exploit by attackers who can take control of your computer without your knowledge. Even if you change the risky default settings to a safer configuration, downloading files from an anonymous source increases your exposure to infection because the files you are downloading may actually contain a disguised threat. Users visiting such pages may see innocuous-looking banner ads containing code which can trigger pop-up ads and malicious Flash ads that install malware. Many malicious worms and Trojans, such as the Storm Worm, target and spread across P2P files sharing networks because of their known vulnerabilities. In some instances the infection may cause so much damage to your system that recovery is not possible and a Repair Install will NOT help!. In those cases, the only option is to wipe your drive, reformat and reinstall the OS.

Even the safest P2P file sharing programs that do not contain bundled spyware, still expose you to risks because of the very nature of the P2P file sharing process. By default, most P2P file sharing programs are configured to automatically launch at startup. They are also configured to allow other P2P users on the same network open access to a shared directory on your computer. The best way to eliminate these risks is to avoid using P2P applications and torrent web sites.

• P2P Software User Advisories
  
• Risks of File-Sharing Technology
  
• P2P file sharing: Anticipate the risks...

Using these types of programs or the websites visited to get them is almost a guaranteed way to get yourself infected!!

I just wanted to poke my head in and just say that, for lack of a better way to say it, sometimes you just have to lol at some posts.. :facepalm:

If you use TPB then always check the comments. I have yet to run into anything bad...just as long as you read everything carefully. The more seeders the better, no one is going to download a virus and not get pissed and report it.

Hey, um, since BC does not condone piracy, lets just have a mod lock this before it gets out of hand.

No we don't condone piracy but we also don't shut down every discussion relating to the topic...we monitor and depending on the direction of the discussion will determine if the topic needs to be closed.

Ooor we could just creep on the topic until it gets out of hand.

All I can add to this is that if more software vendors released a toned down version with the important bits locked, or on a timed period basis, then you have to buy or lose it, then the above question would be less likely to be asked.
It doesn't matter if it is a top rated game, or some strange and wonderful music creator, or even a half way decent photo editor, how can you tell if the software is for you without at least some sort of demo available.
Most descriptions either on the box when buying from a store, or on the vendors website, is never enough to give you a good idea as to whether the software is what you want.
More info and or a possible trial period would rule out some of the "try a cracked version to see if I like it" brigade. Not that I do that, I have more sense than risk my machine, I would sooner find a friend who already has it, to see whether I would want it or not.

Just saw this topic & all I've got to say is ...

****FACEPALM***

rykuu, on 03 February 2012 - 09:43 PM, said:

I can see the ethical blurring / justification in you post. Unlike most ebooks, music and movies; Software and games are dangerous things to get illegally. That being said, if you were truly just trying the game out, a sandbox or virtual drive would best best because once you rebooted, all gaming progress would be deleted, as well as the installation and viruses.

You could get a console and just rent the games. I bought Skyrim for my son (PS3) for his birthday but he got caught in big trouble. I was going to return it (30 policy) I tried it a couple of time and hated it. Some co-workers encouraged me to keep trying it. Now I LOVE it. A trial copy of that wouldn't have helped my decision. It took time to level up and see the vastness of it that won it over for me. Reading reviews from like-minded reviewers or asking friends is a good bet.

The average lifespan of a computer by a person that downloads cracked software and games is 6 to 10 months. Buying games you don't know if you like sounds cheaper to me.

This post has been edited by samizdat: 02 March 2012 - 11:15 PM

I totally agree with the BC party line regarding piracy. However, people are still going to do it, so I think this is still a legitimate topic for discussion in order to point out the risks and to differentiate between very risky and less risky piracy.

Ignoring copyright/ownership matters and concentrating solely on security/malware issues, I know of noone who has become infected by malware from downloading movies/tv shows from reputable sites but, as Crashoveride says, it is essential to read everything, including comments, very carefully.

Keygens, cracking tools and pirated software, including games, are a completely different matter though and, in my view, should ALWAYS be avoided. A, ahem, friend of mine very stupidly downloaded a cracked security suite some time ago. Never again. A nightmare to clear up the resulting mess and very lucky to escape virtually unscathed.

I'm certainly not condoning P2P file sharing because, as Quietman says, due to its very nature, even if you take all available precautions, you will still be exposed to considerable risk. All I'm saying is, if people still feel the need to do it, there are less risky ways of doing so, and some areas that should always be avoided.

This post has been edited by n01paranoid: 03 March 2012 - 05:38 AM

I'll admit that I went through a phase in which I installed cracked WinRar, IDM and a couple of other essentials I felt were over-priced. I was broke but pay for IDM now and would pay for WinRar (if there weren't so many free alternatives now.)

I was never a PC gamer myself but although there are some teams out there that release clean cracks and keygens, it's very easy to add viruses to them. So team sHaZBot (made up team name) may release clean stuff but a immature hacker could add a destructive virus to it and seed it on a torrent site or p2p network. An advanced hacker can add a RAT (Remote Access Trojan) and steal your identity. A big hacker group can install advanced sneaky bots waiting for their command to assist in a Denial of Service Attack.
Remember, the good black hat hackers are one step ahead of the anti-virus definitions.

One several good reasons to stay away from p2p networks: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jammie_Thomas <------------ A must-read!
Here are several more reasons: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazaa#Lawsuits

I'll just use torrents you say? Put torrent lawsuit in your favorite search engine.

Yes, there are safe ways to get stuff and tricks to determine if they are malicious but I don't think it's ideal to post them here. (probably against the rules too I hope)
I think quietman7 is spot on. It's bad stuff but it's good to have discussions because statistically some of us are downloading things illegally. Free stuff is fun until your computer gets poked in the eye and your sitting at poorly secured PC in some public library hoping kind soul here has responded to your 'Help I'm Infected' post.

Several years ago, as an experiment I used some P2P sites to download music.
I used a computer that I was going to reinstall the OS on anyway so I wasn't worried about infections. I might learn something so why not?
I disabled the firewall and all protection.
Great Googliemooglie. I reinstalled all the anti-malware, ran scans, and that poor computer was ate up with all kinds of crap within a half an hour and I think I downloaded 20 songs.
Like my grandpa told me, "Some things might be free but they ain't cheap."
TANSTAAFL.

rykuu, on 03 February 2012 - 09:43 PM, said:

The best way is to just read the comments before downloading any file. For TPB, have a look at seeders and see if the uploader is a trusted one.

Moreover, you may want to use an OS immune to windows viruses for banking, shopping and other important purposes - like Ubuntu Linux.
And use Windows for all the gaming and other dirty work.