12 illegal Software

In many cases the software running on a business computer costs more than the computer itself, which presents a huge opportunity for criminals offering the same software for a fraction of the cost or even for free. Many small businesses use illegal software, some by choice, others by necessity, but all are taking unnecessary risks in doing so. Illegal software typically comes in three flavours:

• cracked (the software has been modified to work without authentication)
• a key generator program (used to activate a trial version of the software)
• stolen corporate bulk licensed software

The ‘cracked’ software is by far the riskiest, because you know from the start that is has been modified. Often a second small software program is used to modify the first program after it has been installed. This second program can also be designed to do any number of hidden functions like install a Trojan or virus. Alarmingly, people even ignore the warnings by their antivirus software, or are asked to disable their antivirus in order to install the ‘cracked’ software.

A key generator program is typically a small utility for creating valid activation codes for a particular software product. Sometimes instructions are provided for additional steps to block the validation of these codes over the internet by the main software program. It assumes you do not have internet access and so lets you use the software; it will retry periodically to connect but never can. Once again, the key generator program can also be designed to do any number of hidden functions.

Many large corporations have special license codes that can be used to activate thousands of copies of particular piece of software. These codes together with the installation files are effectively ‘stolen’ (actually it’s copied but effectively the same thing) and then either sold or distributed freely. These can then be repackaged with a virus which installs itself as part of the unpacking process.

Sometimes people are tricked into thinking what they are buying is legitimate; one of these scams is based on OEM software. This is a legal way of getting discounted software when you buy a new computer. OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer and refers to when the manufacturer or supplier sells a special license of a piece of software, typically lacking the usual packaging or box of the standard retail version. It is only valid on the computer it was purchased with and cannot be transferred to another machine. Criminals offer OEM versions of expensive software that isn’t actually available as an OEM product. For example, there is no OEM version of Adobe Photoshop that sells for $150 instead of $600 or Autodesk Revit for $250 instead of $5000. What you receive is often ‘cracked’ software or an extended trial version which will stop working after 90 days. Not only that, you have given your credit card details to the criminals when you purchased the software. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Double-check with mainstream software suppliers to see if an OEM version is even available and the typical price.

Using illegal antivirus software is really just asking for trouble. It’s a bit like recruiting only convicted burglars and thieves as security guards. There are plenty of free legitimate antivirus solutions available so why take the risk?  The same can be said for most pieces of software, there are free alternatives for pretty much anything you need software wise. My blog lists over a hundred free software programs and low-cost alternatives. There is no point is risking your security for a piece of software that you rarely use or cannot use to its full potential.

Many companies are now moving to a monthly subscription-based model to combat illegal software, removing the high initial cost that prevented them being a viable option to many small businesses. Instead of paying $600 for Adobe Photoshop, you can get an always up to date version from Adobe for $20 a month, so it will take you 2½ years before you reach the $600 cost to buy the software.

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