The Dangers of Using Pirated Software and Why You Should Stop Right Now

• It leaves you vulnerable to attack

According to a study, thirty-four percent of pirated software downloaded from P2P were embedded with malware that infects a computer after download. About half of these were Trojans.

You expose yourself to malware when you install a pirated software. Ransomware, Trojans, viruses and other malicious software can corrupt your device and the data you have in it.

Malicious codes embedded in some pirated software programs can gain access to your data. Your device, and webcam, can be controlled this way. Pirated software makes you vulnerable to a denial of service attack.

The risks you’re exposed to include:

1. Access to financial and confidential information
2. Access to your trade secrets
3. Access to customers’ transactions and personal records
4. Identity theft
5. Data loss and destruction

• These are just a few of what’s possible.

It might stop working when you need it the most

You might find out that the pirated software doesn’t work with your device. This is because the programs are cracked versions of the original ones. These software programs are likely to alter the accuracy of your results if they end up working.

Some companies check the registration of their software, so it’s possible to have the program run for a while and malfunction as time goes on.

• It’ll lead to legal problems

Everything that has an original is likely to be counterfeited. It’s unfair when someone steals your idea, pretends it’s theirs and sells it. It’s only natural for companies to protect their assets.

It isn’t acceptable to purchase the fake software as they hardly follow due process. It is copyright infringement.

The LA County Sheriff’s department purchased a license that allowed them to install 3,700 copies of a software by DataWall. It installed 6,000 copies, claiming that only 3700 employees were using the software. The department was sued and had to pay a fine and sttorney fees of more than $750,000.

• The product can’t be updated

100 percent of the pirated software samples studied by Microsoft Australia had Windows Update disabled and FireWall rules changed.

Updating your software as new patches or updates are released allows you to get a better experience from it. It’s impossible to enjoy this from the pirated version, so you’re stuck with it no matter the limitations. You might even get penalized if you try upgrading to an original package.

• It puts hardworking people out of work

A report from IDC stated that for every one-percent of pirated software, approximately $40 billion is lost. This removes 150,000 jobs from the worldwide economy.

You put good people out of work and affect the economy negatively. Meanwhile, services like Netflix seem to be effectively saving the system.

Beyond the dangers of using pirated software

Let’s face it, some software is pretty expensive, and you may not need all the features it brings with its premium version. So what’s a techie to do?

You have options:

1. Use the free version of the software: If the software has a free version, go for it, especially if the free version covers your needs. Most vendors now give free software you can use for life. If you don’t ever need the premium version, you can stay with the freemium version.
2. Use a less expensive version of the software: If you don’t mind spending a little money, you can buy a version of that software with limited features that will fulfill your needs.

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