Thousands of users worldwide get software from online auction sites, forums, or blogs since these sites offer cheap or even free software licenses through keygens or different means. Users are tempted by free access to expensive software instead of buying a proper license, which converts them into end-user piracy.

This practice brings several Pirated Software Risks you should consider before purchasing and downloading these software copies. If you don’t know the threats, this post is for you. You will learn how to avoid most risks associated with using illegal copies.

A pirated software is an unlicensed software or a program that hasn’t been properly licensed. This practice is considered illegal software and violates various laws in most countries. In some regions is a federal crime. Pirated software, or software piracy, might come in the form of copying, distributing, modifying, or selling the software or a part of it in a way that contradicts license terms. 

Software piracy includes several practices which we can incur without realizing it. And, let’s be honest, many of us may have engaged often in these practices – which is not good from any point of view. This is why knowing these practices of illegal copying is crucial to keep our business safe from risks and legal issues.

Softlifting

This type of software piracy happens when a single person buys legal software. Then, they download pirated software onto multiple machines, which is prohibited since software must be downloaded once. It’s a very common practice, especially among businesses that buy restricted software and install it throughout their company to save money.

Renting

Renting pirate software refers to someone renting a particular software for a certain period without obtaining the permission of the copyright owner or purchasing software. Besides, if a company or an individual buys software, it’s not allowed for them to rent or borrow it. This practice is similar to big renting companies, like Blockbuster or Outerwall, which rented movie copies but without the permission of legal owners.

Hard Disk Loading

This type of piracy starts with purchasing legitimate software programs installed on several physical hard drives in multiple computers. Then, the computers are sold, and the software installed is distributed to several clients with just a single original license. Most PC and software resellers use this practice to save money by installing pirated software programs on several machines.

OEM Unbundling

Unbundling piracy happens when a software pirate sells a stand-alone licensed software originally designed to be included in another particular software or product. This way, they distribute pirated software that originally was free. Unbundling software is commonly sold to users of personal computers who boast specific usability.

A typical example of this is unscrupulous resellers selling printer software for professional machines separately that was initially designed to accompany the hardware.

Counterfeiting

Counterfeiting is the most common of all types of commercial software piracy. This happens when illegal or unlicensed software is sold as authentic software. In this context, many gullible buyers fall into this trap by acquiring this software program, believing they’re acquiring an official copy. The software pirate sells counterfeit software at a cheaper price than official sites.

Online Piracy

Online piracy, AKA Internet piracy, is when software pirates or users share, sell, or acquire illegal software through the Internet. This type of software piracy usually happens on P2P (peer-to-peer) platforms commonly advertised on online auction blogs.

Client-Server Oversure

License oversure can be provoked for many reasons, either intentional or unintentional. In the latter, it is commonly produced by the lack of asset management protocols. Some common practices that conduct license oversure are the following:

• When too many users in a single organization use only one original copy.

• When the software is used outside the company.

• When multiple users utilize the same software but it’s name-based. 

No genius must know that using intervened, pirated, copied, or false software may damage your PC and multiple other devices. Below, we summarized the most common risks related to this practice. 

Lack of Updates

Obsolete software is likely one of the most important and well-documented software risks since it can lead to multisystem failures and deteriorate the quality of services. This is why pirated software can significantly affect most physical or virtual industries.

For instance, the healthcare industry, hospitals, clinics, and first aid integrate different operating systems and software continuously being reviewed to improve their performance and functionality. With pirated software, these services are exposed to direct dangers. 

Increased Chances that the Software Will Fail

This risk is related to the abovementioned point since a lack of updates might drive software to functionality issues. Besides, a pirated version does not ensure that it contains all the features and tools for proper functions and usability.

Moreover, regardless of the software industry, the software manufacturer will likely offer technical support, upgrades, and other benefits to users who have signed an end-user license agreement and use official software.

Forfeited Access to Support for the Program

Keeping your PC secure by only purchasing software from authorized resellers involves getting different types of support and other benefits, like access to training resources, customer support, bug fixes, free additional software, earlier access to new releases, etc.

The company’s software developers continuously improve every computer program. Thus, many of these improvements are promoted and delivered to users with the original software who respect the copyright laws.

It can also mean monetary penalties since your business can be affected by demands or stoppages in production due to not having support for fixing alleged problems. 

Malicious Content

Cybersecurity research shows clear evidence that pirated versions of popular software, key generators, and cracked platforms generally contain malware, ransomware, adware, viruses, and other direct risks for your computer.

The risk of infecting your PC with malware, viruses, or adware due to this copyright violation increases every time you use pirated software. Malware and other malicious content can steal your user’s passwords, sign-up data, email, crucial keys, and other relevant information from your business or personal.

This situation is even more critical, especially since most users and companies use computers and software for banking, online purchasing, accounting, shopping, submitting insurance claims, and other activities. Using pirated software is a safe ticket to a malware attack.

Slowed Down PC

Another repercussion of using a pirated program and violating the software laws is that your computer will malfunction over time. This is one of the worst consequences of getting software with a cheaper price point and from any disreputable reseller since your business operations can suddenly stop, which means a decrease in your business’s commercial value.

Another dimension of the same problem is that your PC can fail irrecoverably, meaning a significant loss in business data, accounting information, banking files, management information, etc.

Legal Repercussions

Due to copyright infringement, your business has an increased risk of receiving legal repercussions from copyright holders. Most software creators and owners actively search for unauthorized copies of their software to take the necessary legal measures. If you don’t have the right authorization from copyright holders, your business will likely be punished due to laws, regardless of the country or region you use the software.

The best solution is to acquire a legit and reliable software copy from an official site, whether you’re acquiring the software for an individual computer or multiple business machines. We know that most software’s prices tend to be very expensive –which is not a reason to acquire a pirated copy. This is why we encourage you to get reliable versions of software and games here on RoyalCDKeys.

On our web pages, you can find several versions and editions of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office at unbeatable prices and, the best, without committing any crime and getting all their security features.

On RoyalCDKeys, we offer a huge variety of license models. Besides, all our CD Keys are legal copies that fulfill all the licensing terms you can purchase and download immediately. However, remember that the copy you select to purchase is only for one computer.

We hope it has become clear to you that software piracy is not recommended from any point of view. With such a widespread impact on your computer health, the best is always to get a secure and official version of the software, whatever it is. You don’t want an infected computer; you want to get all the security patches when you use the software. Then, do not fall into the trap and get the program from authorized dealers.