What Is Pirated Software, and Can You Really Get in Trouble Using It?

Pirated software hurts the overall industry and contributes to the spread of malware through unlicensed software products and materials. Pirating software can result in hefty fines and even jail time. The worst part?

You may be using illegal software and not even know it.

This article discusses pirated software, including what it is, how to spot it, and what you can do if you are already using it. We also cover safety tips, such as how to protect your devices from malicious pirated software with real-time antivirus protection.

What is pirated software?

Any software can become pirated if used outside its intended end-user license agreement, such as unauthorized use, copying, or distribution of the product. That’s it. 

Pirating can include, but is not necessarily limited to:

• Purchasing or downloading pirated computer software knowingly
• Purchasing legitimate software and copying it or letting someone else copy it
• Legitimately purchasing software and cracking its code to use for your own purposes

Most people think of software piracy as illegal downloads, but it also includes using software for any purpose other than the manufacturer intended.

What are the types of software piracy?

Software piracy is pretty common and always illegal whether you intend to or not. Making yourself more aware of the types of software piracy can help you avoid the legal pitfalls that may come with it.

Softlifting

Softlifting is when you use legally obtained original software in a way other than how the manufacturer intended. This could be as simple as buying a single license and installing it on multiple devices or sharing the software with a friend. 

Make sure you read the software's specifications before purchasing or sharing. Softlifting is the most prevalent form of software piracy and is considered a cybercrime in some jurisdictions.

Counterfeiting

Similar to fake bills or knock-off luxury bags, counterfeiting software means you produce unauthorized copies of software. This is often made to look like the original, down to the packaging and literature included, and software copies are sold for a lower price.

Counterfeited software can easily contain malware, such as Trojans and viruses, that steals your data or uses your computer against your wishes.

Hard disk loading

When purchasing a new (or new-to-you) computer, phone, or other device with a hard drive, manufacturers might try to sweeten the deal by including a certain type of software. Sometimes this is done legally, and sometimes it isn’t. Even legitimate resellers can be guilty of this. If your software doesn’t come with a disc or user manual, there’s a chance it’s been pirated.

Online piracy

Online piracy has increased dramatically as internet speeds, peer-to-peer torrenting, file sharing, and storage solutions have improved. Endless sites are offering cracked commercial software, which has been modified to eliminate the protection code embedded by the manufacturers. 

This means you may be able to use the software without a license key, but there’s a chance the source code has been tampered with, which could allow for all sorts of malware and viruses. Only purchase from the manufacturer’s website or licensed copyright holders to avoid this type of piracy.

Renting

Renting piracy is exactly like what it sounds. Someone who owns the software license rents you the use of it for a short period. This can happen with software programs like Adobe Suite for photo or video editing or specialized software like Final Draft for script writing.

Instead of renting, there are free and legal types of software for people who may not be able to afford the brand-name version. 

Unbundling

Unbundling occurs when bundled software is removed from the bundle and sold off individually. It’s typically not counterfeit software, but it still counts as copyright infringement. For example, you could buy a virtual private network (VPN) that was supposed to be wrapped into something else, like identity protection software. 

No matter what, it still goes against the software companies’ intended use and is, therefore, illegal.

Client-server overuse

This can occur when software is loaded onto a central server for multiple users. It is piracy when the software has fewer user agreements than the number of actual users. This may cause glitches and loading issues, or it could work perfectly. Usually, the users are unaware they’re using pirated software.

What are the risks of using pirated software?

First of all, pirated software is theft. Plain and simple. Whether or not you agree with stealing from large companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Google, you’re still stealing something someone else created, which has legal repercussions.

On the ethical side, the more that stealing software is normalized, the more likely it is to happen to small, independent developers who rely on the software they create to pay their bills. Yes, software can be expensive, but it’s also written by people with skills they took time to learn. Everyone needs to pay their bills.

Remember, if the legal and ethical reasons don’t bother you, consider that pirated software unsafe. It’s a hotbed for Trojans, viruses, and malware that can do major damage to your personal data or individual device. Since you don’t know where the program is coming from, you have no idea what else is embedded in its code.

Why do people use pirated software?

There are a variety of reasons someone may use pirated software. You may even use pirated software without being aware you’re doing it. Most of the time, if someone willingly uses it, the actual software may be necessary but cost-prohibitive. There’s also a chance people may be using it due to convenience or lack of availability. Whatever the reason, using pirated software can, at best, cause you to lose your right to use it and, at worst, get you in legal trouble.

Should I use pirated software?

The obvious answer to this question is “no,” but not everyone is interested in paying for the software they’re using. We can’t stress enough, though, that the major reason to not use pirated software is internet security. Ignoring arbitrary warnings and ethical conundrums is easy, but malware infections are not a problem that’s going away. 

Spending less money or downloading a free program that could potentially ruin your device will cost you much more in the long run.

If you’ve been using pirated software without your knowledge, it’s best to delete the program. You can even go so far as to report where you acquired the program if you want. Most of the time, however, you won’t get in trouble for unknowingly using pirated software, especially if you can prove you deleted it when you found out.

Alternatives to pirated software

There are plenty of free or low-cost alternatives to popular software. Several platforms host free streaming or gaming access if you’re a streamer or a gamer. There are a variety of free office suite applications like Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. If you need to edit a PDF, a quick internet search can help you find a free trial or free PDF editing application.

Most of these are open-source and made by developers honing their skills or who believe in free software for the people. Some programs have free trials to make sure you actually want it before buying. The same goes for software beta tests. You can sign up for free, report back on the usability, functionality, etc, and maybe get a free final version for your insights. 

Finally, you can use ad-supported software if you don’t mind rewinding 20 years. Trading off a few commercial breaks for a reduced price was how it was done in the 1990s, and by all accounts, the 1990s are back.

Tips to protect yourself from pirated software

First, you should always use antivirus software like TotalAV or Bitdefender, a secure virtual private network (VPN), and other verified security measures like a firewall to protect your devices. If you unknowingly download pirated software from a site you didn’t know was illegally distributing, it may also contain viruses, spyware, or other malware. In that case, your security software will catch the problem, and you can delete it right away. 

Never accept downloads from anyone who isn’t the manufacturer or a verified retailer like Best Buy, Amazon, or other verified sites. If you aren’t sure if the site is legal, you can do a quick internet search. For instance, “Is download.com legal” returns various positive results showing that the site distributes legal software downloads. 

If your search turns up anything sketchy — or worse, nothing at all — avoid the site and the download.

Finally, make sure any software gifted to you by friends or family is legal. People may look at you funny or roll their eyes, but your inner circle should think you’re a quirky straight edge than it is to shell out $150,000 for an illegal copy of Microsoft Office. 

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Bottom line

Downloading pirated software is illegal, no matter how you want to spin it. If you can’t afford or find the program you’re looking for, try a free and legal alternative. No matter where you find what you need, use the best cybersecurity software to protect against hackers.