virus - Security issues with online activation software

06
2014-04
  • MikO

    Let's say I need to use some activation software, which connects to a server and activate some other software in my PC (i.e., Microsoft Toolkit crack to activate MS Office, or a crack for a game).

    Obviously I'd have to assume that one cannot ever 100% trust this kind of programs, and I'd use it on my own risk, but I'd like to minimize the options of getting infected with any malware...

    So, let's say I scan this .exe file with different antimalware software like Avast, Malwarebytes and Superantispyware and them all say it's clean. And let's say I remove any firewall outbound or inbound rules I had to add to allow the program to connect the activation server...

    If I do this, I can be pretty sure there's no option of being infected, or am I missing something important?

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    Related Question

    windows - Is free security software as good as paid security software?
  • Questioner

    I mostly use free security solutions to protect my home PC, but I wonder if I would get better protection from a paid solution.

    I prefer the free software, since I can have multiple applications protecting against different threats.

    With paid software I feel like I have to choose just one, and hope it can protect against everything.

    Is it worth it to pay for security when there are free options?


    • Related Answers
  • Area 51

    Paid security suites can often be more trouble than they are worth, they are bloated and slow and are full of bugs. Most of the time open source software is just as good, free, and has a much larger support community. The only problem is that open source software will generally require a more technically savvy user. Here is my security suite:

    Update on antivirus on Windows: Microsoft Security Essentials is now at a level where it competes well with AVG and other antivirus suites.

    SmoothWall (Separate computer, Linux box, easy install)
    AVG 8.5 (free or paid)
    ClamWin
    Vidalia Bundle
    Firefox w/ AdBlock Plus, No Scripts, IE Tab, AVG Safe Search, Tor button;

    All of these applications are easy to install and use if you do a little bit of research first.