14 DAY TRIAL // The FBI has issued an alert to warn consumers that pirated software can be laced with malicious software.
The agency warns that while pirated software might be tempting to many users because it’s much cheaper than genuine one, those who acquire counterfeit products or illegally copied applications expose themselves to malware.
“Our collective experience has shown this to be true, both through the complaints we’ve received and through our investigations. It’s also been validated by industry studies, which show that an increasing amount of software installed on computers around the world—including in the U.S.—is pirated and that this software often contains malware,” the FBI warns.
“Pirated software can be obtained from unknown sellers and even from peer-to-peer networks. The physical discs can be purchased from online auction sites, less-than-reputable websites, and sometimes from street vendors and kiosks. Pirated software can also be found pre-installed on computers overseas, which are ordered by consumers online and then shipped into the United States.”
To protect themselves against such threats, consumers are advised to look for certain signs that indicate if a piece of software is legitimate or not.
Pirated software usually comes without packaging, an invoice and other documentation. The labeling on the disk is usually of poor quality, the version of the software is limited, if there is a manual, it contains typos, and there are visible variations on the underside of the disk – these are other signs that the software is pirated.
Additionally, users might be required to visit a shady website to activate the product. This technique is used to trick victims into downloading more malware onto their devices.
Here are some simple tips when purchasing software or a computer:
- when buying a computer, make sure it has a genuine pre-installed operating system on it; - software should be purchased only from authorized retailers or trusted websites; - check out the packaging of the product on the vendor’s website before buying to make sure you know what the real thing looks like; - if a piece of software is offered to you at a very low price, chances are that it’s pirated.
Additional advice and details are available on the FBI’s website.