I understand that sharing video, photos, documents etc. is relatively safe because the data is not executed in the processor as instructions. How come people are willing to download and install pirated software though? How can one be confident that it does not contain malicious addons? Are people just don’t know the risks? Or are there protection mechanisms that I am missing? I mean since the software is usually cracked there is not much use in comparing checksums with the originals, is it?

  • alexg_k@discuss.tchncs.deOP
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    14
    ·
    1 year ago

    Good and valid point. I use opensource software wherever I can.

    Though paid software is not going to encrypt your data for ransom or use a keylogger to steal bitcoin (yet).

    • NullGator
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      7
      ·
      1 year ago

      There was an antivirus that was caught running a bitcoin miner in the background tbf. If memory serves it was Norton?