Do not download any activators for Windows 10

Nov 18, 2014 10:28 GMT  ·  By

Windows 10 generated quite a buzz online after the launch of the first preview version in early October and continues to stir up interest with every new update it receives.

Cybercriminals obviously noticed the opportunity to make some money after the launch of Windows 10 Technical Preview, so it shouldn’t come as a big surprise that the web is now full of activators that promise to let you use the new operating system without any limitation.

Before jumping into details, there are two things that are worth taking into account.

First of all, most of these scams are published on YouTube and are usually based on video demonstration of an application that’s supposed to activate Windows 10.

Second of all, malware isn’t usually included in these scams, but this isn’t always true. There are scams online which also attempt to deploy malicious files on your computers, so here’s another reason for you to stay away from such campaigns.

How the scams work

In some of these cases, scams do not really have a negative impact on your computer, as most of them are supposed to lead you to survey websites that are being used to generate money for the cybercriminal.

The YouTube videos we told you about usually come with download links for the demoed apps, so clicking this links gets you to a file-sharing website where the archive is stored. Once the download process is completed and you attempt to extract the files, you find out that the archive is actually protected with a password. A text document that usually comes together with the archive directs you to another page to find out the password.

When loading the new page to reveal the password, a survey shows up and asks you a bunch of questions, and in order to continue, you must provide answers to all of them.

Once you fill in all fields, you continue to an empty page with no archive password, but the cybercriminal is paid for completing another survey. The more users, the bigger his revenues.

No Windows 10 activation is needed

Windows 10 is free for everyone and can be downloaded and installed on as many devices you want. No activator is needed because the operating system is automatically activated after installation and no code is required.

Windows 10 Technical Preview, however, expires on April 15, 2015, but by that time, Microsoft is expected to complete work on the new operating system and possibly launch the stable version to all users.

Those running Windows 10 Technical Preview on their computers won’t be able to upgrade to the stable version of the new OS.

Windows 10 version number (5 Images)

Fake activator on YouTube
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