It is common for us to report a malware scam on our blog. However, don't be fooled into thinking that this only happens in large companies. Ordinary users have become targets of hackers due to the ease of infiltration.
One of the most common ways is through pirated software, after all, it is tempting to see software that can help with the company's processes, and is available “free of charge”.
However, they bring with them several data security problems, after all, they are modified versions of the original, where mainly security and originality verification features have been removed.
Below, you will see the reasons why you should be careful about using pirated software in your company.
Doubtful sources
The famous “cracked” software is not distributed on official websites, as you might already imagine. For the user to download, they must look for alternative sites, which usually involve torrent platforms or tool download sites, full of software of this type.
In some cases, there are portals open for publication by any user, where the file can carry any type of content, including harmful.
On these pages there are usually a huge number of advertising pop-ups in a sequential manner. In some cases, you are required to click to download.
Furthermore, many of these open pages may initiate downloads automatically, again delivering potential malicious solutions directly to the user's computer. These executables can be of different types, with systems under the control of hackers such as cryptocurrency miners, recording typed data or stealing company information, such as bank details.
Antivirus turned off
Another big risk appears when downloading. Pirated software usually comes with a tool to bypass the product's original activation system. Thus, your operating system believes it is installing an official version.
However, great dangers lurk there. The vast majority of them are detected as malicious by security software even before they are executed, as soon as they are downloaded. For this reason, they end up requiring that the antivirus and other protection systems be turned off so that the process of “cracking” the software can take place. Exposing the user to additional risks that may also be part of the pirated download.
As previously mentioned, the pirated program can bring along malware that uses the user's machine to mine cryptocurrencies or install data stealing applications, known as ransomware . As software is distributed freely and passes through several hands until it reaches yours, there is no guarantee that there is nothing other than the software embedded there.
Updates
Updates made available by software companies are not only ways to introduce new features or resolve errors, but they also serve to correct security flaws.
Pirated programs do not receive updates of this type, remaining with old and outdated security systems, putting users at risk.
The vast majority of original software connects to the internet to receive such updates, which are released according to the validation of legitimate subscriber credentials. Pirated versions do not make this type of connection, as they would discover the cracked state of the software and block its execution.
Malfunction
Tools that bypass the software's legitimacy check work by deceiving the operating system. Windows updates, for example, can “break” some features or make it impossible to use others.
Imagine using pirated software in your company, and a few months after starting use, with various information, and some of the company's production processes depend on such software, it stops completely, after an operating system update. It's going to be a headache.
You don't pay, but it's not like this software is really free. Somehow you end up “paying” for it.
Legal issues
In addition to the security and reliability risks I just wrote about, in corporate environments there are issues of customer data privacy and sensitive data integrity. The use of these programs can lead to legal issues due to failure to acquire licenses for professional use.
The idea of getting the applications you need for your daily work for free may seem tempting and capable of reducing costs. In practice, losses can be much greater, with fines , which in Brazil, can be up to three thousand times the value of purchasing the software. The value is calculated according to the size of the company and the number of irregular versions used.
This applies to installations made by employees themselves without the consent of superiors. We will talk more about the topic below.
“Freedom” for employees
In most companies, employees install pirated software without the consent of their superiors. In many cases due to the lack of concern on the part of managers, or due to the need and agility of the employee himself to carry out this task.
However, as we said above, even if it is installed by the employee without the authorization of their superiors, it can also generate legal problems in relation to the unauthorized use of the software in the company.
Furthermore, careless users with a lack of knowledge can download harmful sources containing all the malware we talked about previously.
employees aware However, training alone does not guarantee correct employee behavior.
A good way to solve problems like this is to use internet access control , blocking access to websites considered harmful, with low reputation and installations of software of this type.
Is original software expensive?
It depends on the company's point of view and needs. In cases where the software is used sporadically, the cost may actually become expensive. However, if your company needs the software daily, considering purchasing the original license may become relevant in financial matters. Furthermore, the operation of original programs is usually much better than pirated ones, and all the security and productivity problems mentioned here in the article are avoided.
I hope I have helped you and your company understand the dangers of pirated software and keep your data and processes safe and productive.
To the next!
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