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What's the Deal with 'Cracked' Programs?

by TerriL
4 replies
Hi All,

First off, I do not support anyone stealing another persons work... so, let's just get that straight right off the bat.

Recently, I was on YouTube and was looking for some PS design tutorials, and came across several videos that are basically showing people how to generate serial numbers, key codes, or whatever... to obtain software for free... is this legal?

Forgive my naivety here... but I'm wondering:

As an honest person, I'll admit; even I was tempted to try this, just to see if they work?

One video linked to an outside site charging a one-time membership, and they are somehow 'housing' hundreds of expensive software products, all 'cracked' and from what I can tell - they've been online doing this for at least 4 years on the same domain name?:confused:

Am I missing something here?

A legal loophole or something?

For obvious reasons (like not trying to support this stuff), I specifically did not put the name of the website referred to above, but while investigating this and in seeking an understanding as to "how they can get away with this stuff?" - I found the membership website was sold on Flippa and is still operating under it's original domain name, even after being sold... and has products listed that just came out recently.

Thus, I am guessing... maybe, it's somewhat-legal like bit torrents, and somehow skirts the laws(?)

Otherwise, why would YT users, and this 'other' site not be shut down for copyright violations?

Sorry... I'm new to a lot of this, but to me this was really strange.

Thanks,

Terri
#cracked #deal #programs
  • Profile picture of the author XponentSYS
    Legal? NO

    Ethical? NO

    Paid Serial, "Warez" and crack memberships? SCAM

    Is cracked software available for free? YES - that's the nature of the web.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jtraits
      Originally Posted by XponentSYS View Post

      Legal? NO

      Ethical? NO

      Paid Serial, "Warez" and crack memberships? SCAM

      Is cracked software available for free? YES - that's the nature of the web.
      what he said ... cannot explain it better. Now, for the part of "how on earth they have been operating for 4 years with the same domain?" i could not possibly know
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      • Profile picture of the author maz1207
        The owner of the products should contact the website owner. They can get sued for doing that. First, it's illegal to steal other people works. Second, it's illegal to benefit (making money by charging user to use it) from others work. They don't have resell right to that products and i'm sure that most of them is for personal use only (unless stated).
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  • Profile picture of the author RichBeck
    Originally Posted by TerriL View Post

    Hi All,

    First off, I do not support anyone stealing another persons work... so, let's just get that straight right off the bat.

    Recently, I was on YouTube and was looking for some PS design tutorials, and came across several videos that are basically showing people how to generate serial numbers, key codes, or whatever... to obtain software for free... is this legal?

    Forgive my naivety here... but I'm wondering:

    As an honest person, I'll admit; even I was tempted to try this, just to see if they work?

    One video linked to an outside site charging a one-time membership, and they are somehow 'housing' hundreds of expensive software products, all 'cracked' and from what I can tell - they've been online doing this for at least 4 years on the same domain name?:confused:

    Am I missing something here?

    A legal loophole or something?

    For obvious reasons (like not trying to support this stuff), I specifically did not put the name of the website referred to above, but while investigating this and in seeking an understanding as to "how they can get away with this stuff?" - I found the membership website was sold on Flippa and is still operating under it's original domain name, even after being sold... and has products listed that just came out recently.

    Thus, I am guessing... maybe, it's somewhat-legal like bit torrents, and somehow skirts the laws(?)

    Otherwise, why would YT users, and this 'other' site not be shut down for copyright violations?

    Sorry... I'm new to a lot of this, but to me this was really strange.

    Thanks,

    Terri
    Terri,

    Yes.... It is illegal and unethical..... their web sites should be shut down and their accounts "banned" from sites like YouTube.

    The funny thing is....

    The "crackers" frequently "provide" a cracked version with viruses... and "key loggers."

    The "freebie seeker" may have his bank account, credit card numbers and other financial information stolen... All because they want something "for free" instead of paying for it... Some people would believe that is "karma catching up with them."

    All The Best,

    Rich Beck BCIP, MCSD, MCIS
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