Cracked Keys: Risks & What to Do

TL;DR

Using ‘cracked’ product keys is risky. They often come bundled with malware, can lead to legal issues, and won’t give you genuine software updates or support. Avoid them at all costs.

How Cracked Keys Can Harm You

1. Malware Infections: This is the biggest risk. Crackers often hide viruses, trojans, spyware, ransomware, and other nasty programs within key generators, activation tools, or even the ‘key’ files themselves. These can steal your data, damage your computer, or lock you out completely.
   • Example: A seemingly harmless keygen could install a keylogger that records everything you type, including passwords and bank details.
2. Legal Consequences: Using illegally obtained software is against the law in most countries. You could face fines or other penalties.
3. No Updates & Support: Cracked software doesn’t receive official updates, leaving you vulnerable to security flaws and bugs. You also won’t get any technical support if something goes wrong.
4. Unstable Software: Modified software can be buggy and unreliable, leading to crashes or unexpected behaviour.
5. Identity Theft: Some cracked software asks for personal information during installation, which could be used for identity theft.

What To Do If You’ve Used a Cracked Key

1. Run a Full System Scan: Use a reputable antivirus program to scan your computer for malware. Make sure it’s up-to-date before running the scan.
   • Example (Windows Defender): Open ‘Security Centre’, click ‘Virus & threat protection’ and then ‘Scan options’. Choose ‘Full scan’.
2. Change Your Passwords: Change passwords for all important accounts, including email, banking, social media, and any other sensitive services.
3. Reinstall Your Operating System (Recommended): The safest option is to completely reinstall your operating system. This will remove any hidden malware that the antivirus scan might have missed. Back up your important files *before* doing this, but be cautious about backing up potentially infected data.
4. Remove the Cracked Software: Uninstall the cracked software and any associated tools (key generators, activators).
   • Example (Windows): Go to ‘Control Panel’ > ‘Programs’ > ‘Programs and Features’, find the software and click ‘Uninstall’.
5. Consider Reporting: If you suspect fraud or identity theft, report it to your local authorities.

How To Get Software Legally

1. Purchase Genuine Licenses: Buy software directly from the official vendor or an authorized reseller.
2. Free & Open-Source Alternatives: Explore free and open-source alternatives to expensive commercial software.
   • Example: LibreOffice is a free alternative to Microsoft Office. GIMP is a free alternative to Photoshop.
3. Subscription Services: Consider subscription services that offer access to software for a monthly or annual fee.