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

submitted 1 year 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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[-] Pulp@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 1 year ago

Get software from reputable private trackers only

[-] b1ab@lem.monster 2 points 1 year ago

This is one of the single most important pieces of advice. Unless you have access to topsites, then this is about as close to the source as you are going to get, except for FitGirl repacks that can be DDLd from her site.

[-] DrJenkem@lemmy.blugatch.tube 4 points 1 year ago

Yeah checksums are useless. But if you know assembly, you could diff the original binary with the crack and look for anything malicious.

[-] tormeh@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 1 year ago

Make a dedicated user on your machine for pirated software. Never give that user root. Should contain it.

[-] nestEggParrot 1 points 1 year ago

Wouldn't most sw need admin to insgall anyways? How would that help prevent embedded malware?

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[-] jws_shadotak@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

If you get the crack from a reputable source, you can trust it will be safe. A low seed torrent from a shady place (like The Pirate Bay) is probably a virus. High seed torrent from another source like 1337x or something with more active moderation is generally safe.

If you want to be extra sure, spin up a VM and install the crack there and check it out before doing it on your real machine.