盗版软件市场巨大，消费者很容易掉入陷阱，以极低的价格获得“真正的”软件产品，这有助于他们完成工作。但在采用盗版软件的过程中，消费者面临隐私侵犯、敏感数据丢失、巨大的经济损失和成本以及试图修复系统问题的大量时间浪费的风险。
非法(Illegal)软件是互联网上不幸的主食之一，而且它不会很快消失。现在，虽然非法下载Windows 10软件可能是一件好事，但事实并非如此。再多的节省也无法保护您免受非法软件所面临的潜在问题的影响。
使用盗版软件(Pirated Software)的后果
盗版软件对您的计算机和您自己来说都是一个大问题。如果您是在计算机上保存私人信息的人，那么我们建议您远离这些类型的工具，无论诱惑如何。
你看，试图避免支付软件费用可能比你拒绝支付的费用更高，这很讽刺，对吧？
不应下载非法软件的原因
- 这在道德上是不正确的
- 没有支持
- 没有新的更新
- 恶意软件感染的可能性
- 你不支持开发者
- 采取法律行动的可能性。
1]这是不对的
并不是每个人都知道有关获取非法软件的法律。根据您居住的国家/地区，如果您被发现持有盗版软件，您可能会面临牢狱之灾或支付巨额罚款。
如今，许多软件开发人员在他们的工作中添加了某些工具，以确定人们是否已经为特权付费。那么，如果没有有效的许可证，人们可能会在各自国家面临法律的全面冲击。
2]不支持
这可能不是一个大问题，因为几乎不可能不在网络上找到流行工具的免费帮助。不过，在某些情况下，只有开发人员才能修复，如果您没有许可证密钥，那么您就不走运了。
3]没有新的更新
非法获取软件的最大问题之一是，对于许多人来说，更新过程并不活跃。软件通常需要许可证密钥才能联机并自动下载更新。
遇到这样的问题，每次有更新时，用户都将被迫重新下载盗版软件的新版本。他们将不得不经历同样累人的过程，使其能够顺利工作而不会出现问题。
4]病毒和恶意软件
让我们在这里说实话。从盗版网站下载的软件(Software)通常会感染某种形式的病毒或恶意软件。多年来，许多Windows操作系统的用户由于这些活动而使他们的计算机变得无用。
是的，由于Windows Defender ， Windows 10比以往任何时候都更加安全。但是，防病毒和反恶意软件工具并不完美。总会有一些东西从裂缝中溜走，你只能希望它不是勒索软件。
5]您不支持开发人员
在某种程度上，你正在窃取产品。软件创建者在他们的工作中付出了很多努力，因此，如果你真的想利用他们所创造的东西，那就像任何正直的互联网公民一样付费。如果您不确定该工具是否值得使用，那么使用试用版怎么样？在许多情况下，可以进行试用。对于情况并非如此的情况，请阅读网络上的多个评论以达成完整的共识。
6] 采取法律行动的可能性
如果发现您使用非法或盗版软件，您可能会面临法律诉讼，这绝对是您不想要的。
微软(Microsoft)几年前做过一个小实验，它去墨尔本(Melbourne)的当地市场从四个不同的卖家那里购买假冒的Windows和Office软件。(Office)然后对这些盗版磁盘进行了测试，其结果令人担忧。
六个Microsoft Office磁盘中有五个感染了恶意软件，而十二个Windows磁盘中有六个是无效的（无法安装和运行）。在其他六个可以成功运行和测试的磁盘中，观察到以下情况：
- 两人感染了恶意软件；
- 所有六个副本都禁用了Windows 更新；(Windows Update)
- 所有六个副本都更改了Windows 防火墙(Windows Firewall)规则。
在总共可以成功安装和测试的 12 个仿冒软件副本（6 个Office和 6 个Windows）中，确认以下内容：
- 7(Seven)个副本 (58%) 感染了恶意软件
- 共发现六种不同类型恶意软件代码的 20 个实例。
这对于毫无防备地使用此类假冒Microsoft软件的用户来说意味着严重的麻烦，尤其是在处理财务报表、敏感密码和个人媒体项目等机密信息时。
阅读：(Read:)什么是Microsoft 合规计划。
这些发现得到了当时IDC的一项研究的支持，该研究由Microsoft委托进行，关于假冒软件的(Counterfeit Software)危险(Dangers)，该研究发现：
- 三分之一的装有盗版软件的消费者 PC 会感染恶意软件；
- 全球消费者将浪费 220 亿美元和 15 亿小时来处理这些问题，例如恢复数据，并因此处理身份盗用；
- 26% 安装假冒软件的消费者的 PC 感染了病毒；
- 从盗版互联网站点或P2P网络下载的假冒软件程序中有 78% 安装了跟踪 cookie 或间谍软件。
Counterfeit pirated software might be cheaper, or even free, but it’s not worth the risk to use it!
前往此处了解如何查明任何Microsoft Windows 软件是否为正版并举报仿冒软件。
2013 年发布于 2020 年更新
Consequences & Risks of using Pirated & Counterfeit Software
Thе market for pirated software is huge, and consumers easily fall for the trap to get ‘real’ sоftware products at dirt cheap priсe which helpѕ them do the job. But in the procеss of adоpting pirated ѕoftware, consumers are at the risk of privacy іntrusion, loss of sensitive data, substantial financial losseѕ and costs and a big waste of time trying to fix system problems.
Illegal software is one of the unfortunate staples of the internet, and it’s not going away any time soon. Now, while it might come off as a good thing when downloading Windows 10 software illegally, it’s really not. No amount of savings can protect you from the potential issues facing illegal software.
Consequences of using Pirated Software
Pirated software can be a huge issue for your computer, and also for yourself. If you are the type of person to save private information on your computer, then we suggest staying away from these types of tools, no matter the temptation.
You see, trying to avoid paying for software could cost you more than what you refused to pay, and that would be ironic, right?
Reasons why you should not download illegal software
- It’s just not morally right
- No support
- No new updates
- Likelihood of Malware infection
- You are not supporting the developers
- Possibility of legal action.
1] It’s just not right
Not everyone knows of the law where acquiring illegal software is concerned. Depending on which country you’re living in, you could face jail time or pay a huge fine if you are caught with pirated software in your possession.
These days, a lot of software developers are adding certain tools to their work to determine if persons have paid for the privilege. Without a valid license, then, folks could face the full brunt of the law in the respective countries.
2] No support
This might not be a huge problem since its almost impossible not to find freely available help on the web for popular tools. Still, there are some situations where only the developer can fix, and if you do not have a license key, then you’re out of luck.
3] No new updates
One of the biggest issues with illegally attained software is the fact that for many, the update process is not active. A license key is usually required for the software to go online and automatically download updates.
With a problem like this, the user will be forced to redownload a new version of the pirated software every time there’s an update. They will have to go through the same tiring process of enabling it to work smoothly without hiccups.
4] Virus and Malware
Let’s be honest here. Software downloaded from pirate websites are usually infected with some form of virus or malware. A lot of users of the Windows operating system over the years have had their computers made useless due to these activities.
Yes, Windows 10 is more secure than ever due to Windows Defender. However, anti-virus and anti-malware tools are not perfect. There will come a time when something will slip through the cracks, and you can only hope it’s not ransomware.
5] You are not supporting the developers
In a way, you are stealing the product. Software creators put a lot of effort into their work, therefore, if you really want to take advantage of what they’ve created, then pay for it like any upstanding citizen of the internet. If you’re not sure if the tool is worth using, then how about using the trial version? In many cases, a trial is available. For the instances where this is not the case, then read multiple reviews on the web to come to a complete consensus.
6] Possibility of legal action
If you are found using illegal or stollen software, you could be opening yourself up to legal action and that is something you definitely do not want.
Microsoft had a few years back done a small experiment where it went out to the local markets in Melbourne to purchase counterfeit Windows and Office software from four different sellers. These pirated disks were then put to the test, the results of which were worrying.
Five out of the six Microsoft Office disks were infected with malware while six out of the twelve Windows disks were duds (could not be installed and run). Of the other six disks which could be run and tested successfully, the following was observed:
- Two were infected with malware;
- All the six copies had Windows Update disabled;
- All the six copies had the Windows Firewall rules changed.
Of the total of the twelve counterfeit software copies that could be installed successfully (six Office and six Windows) and tested, the following was affirmed:
- Seven copies (58%) were infected with malware
- A total of 20 instances of six different types of malware code found.
This means serious trouble for users who unsuspectingly work on such counterfeit Microsoft software especially while dealing with confidential information like financial statements, sensitive passwords, and personal media items et al.
Read: What is the Microsoft Compliance Program.
These findings were backed up by an IDC study done then, on The Dangers of Counterfeit Software, commissioned by Microsoft, which found that:
- One in three consumer’s PCs with counterfeit software will be infected with malware;
- Consumers globally will waste US$22 billion and 1.5 billion hours dealing with the issues, such as recovering data, and dealing with identity theft as a result;
- 26% of consumers who installed counterfeit software had their PC infected with a virus;
- 78% of counterfeit software programs downloaded from pirate internet sites or P2P networks installed tracking cookies or spyware.
Counterfeit pirated software might be cheaper, or even free, but it’s not worth the risk to use it!
Go here to learn how to find out if any Microsoft Windows Software is Genuine and to report Counterfeit software.
Post of 2013 updated in 2020
