Warez

[therealcrazy8]

Since I have made the decision to go into business for myself, I have often wondered "how would I handle a system that I knew had pirated software on it?" I know Microsoft has/had a program where if you knew someone had an illegal copy of a Microsoft product, that calling a number and making the report could get you...I think it was $1,000 or something if everything checked out.

That all aside, I guess what I am wondering is, if you come across a system that has pirated software on it, or you are handed pirated software by the client to install on the computer, what do you do? How do you handle it?

 

[frase]

I never install pirated software, but if some is on there I dont get involved - not worth the hassle. If it is a OS that is pirated and is causing an issue I advise client that I can no longer work on it till they have legit software.

 

[ChrisTech]

I never install pirated software, but if some is on there I dont get involved - not worth the hassle. If it is a OS that is pirated and is causing an issue I advise client that I can no longer work on it till they have legit software.

+1 on that.

 

[GTP]

My simple rule, get legal or get out!

 

[amktechsolutions]

+2 on that OP, I wouldn't go anywhere near pirated software. Always stick to legit licensed software!

 

[therealcrazy8]

Thank you all for that. I have seen a few computers that it wasn't obvious that they had a pirated copy of windows on their system, so in cases like that, is there a way to detect that's its an illegal copy? If you can't tell, do you even take the time to find out? I kind of figure that if I cant tell right off the bat, then it may not be worth the time to figure it out unless of course an issue comes up that causes me to have to find out, then deal with it then.

 

[TECCS]

I always work with legal software. if its there and I don't need to use it or it doesn't make me be doing something illegal I leave it. if it causes problems or makes it so I would do something illegal by using it i advise i can't do anything unless they make it legal. I also advise on that it can contain viruses etc. we get a lot off torrent downloading in my area and people assume because they know how to install something it will be fine no chance of virus etc.
.

 

[Kitten Kong]

Thank you all for that. I have seen a few computers that it wasn't obvious that they had a pirated copy of windows on their system, so in cases like that, is there a way to detect that's its an illegal copy? If you can't tell, do you even take the time to find out? I kind of figure that if I cant tell right off the bat, then it may not be worth the time to figure it out unless of course an issue comes up that causes me to have to find out, then deal with it then.

I don't generally bother to check if its legit or not. However there are some glaring issues at times. Such as a Vista COA, and Windows 7 is installed. Or the COA is for Home, and Pro installed. You may even see a Vista sticker on a touchpad area, and see 7 installed. Then my spidey sensors go into overdrive, and I do some detecting.

When I see 7 Ult, I check the code out; 99% of the time its pirated, and then I inform the client to go legal or find someone else.

 

[glricht]

Had this exact problem just yesterday. Customer calls, says his PC is super slow. On arrival, the PC had a Celeron 1.8GHz with 2GB running Win 7 Enterprise! (COA is Win 7 HP). On top of that, he had two AV programs installed and numerous infections. It was so slow it was almost running in reverse.

Told him I wouldn't work on it as-is since the OS itself was pirated, plus explained everything else that needed to be addressed. (I suspected things would go downhill if I simply attempted to clean the PC but left the OS as it was -- it would then be my fault.) In the end, he ended up bumping the memory to 4GB and I did a N&P back to the original Win 7 HP. The PC is fairly quick now (if anything with a Celeron could be "quick").

 

[cypress]

Had this exact problem just yesterday. Customer calls, says his PC is super slow. On arrival, the PC had a Celeron 1.8GHz with 2GB running Win 7 Enterprise! (COA is Win 7 HP). On top of that, he had two AV programs installed and numerous infections. It was so slow it was almost running in reverse.

Told him I wouldn't work on it as-is since the OS itself was pirated, plus explained everything else that needed to be addressed. (I suspected things would go downhill if I simply attempted to clean the PC but left the OS as it was -- it would then be my fault.) In the end, he ended up bumping the memory to 4GB and I did a N&P back to the original Win 7 HP. The PC is fairly quick now (if anything with a Celeron could be "quick").

Well done, I have had similar instances and have done the same.

 

[mraikes]

We aren't the police, nor Microsoft's or Adobe's or (fill in the blank)'s enforcers. I don't feel it's my job to snoop around checking for pirated software, including the OS, unless that issue plays a role in a particular repair.

To be clear, I don't install pirated software nor do I bother trying to resolve problems pirated software may having. That doesn't mean I don't fix someone's printer problem because they have a suspicious W7 Ultimate, or refuse to solve an Outlook problem because Adobe Photoshop isn't legit. But don't bother asking me why that illegal Photoshop won't do X, Y or Z.

And OP, as far as getting paid any amount much less $1,000 for reporting some random individual's illegal W7 Ultimate, don't hold your breath.

 

[Porthos]

That doesn't mean I don't fix someone's printer problem because they have a suspicious W7 Ultimate, or refuse to solve an Outlook problem because Adobe Photoshop isn't legit. But don't bother asking me to figure out why that illegal Photoshop won't do X, Y or Z.

Lets play Devils advocate.

I am only speaking about the OS here.

Printer now works and next week client complains the computer is not genuine anymore and state this only happened AFTER you worked on it.

We all know or should know if the OS is hacked or cracked and if the user is eligible for that "enterprise" version.

The experienced ones here can "smell" a bogus OS in a heartbeat.

I stop all work on a bogus OS instantly and confer with client. Many will say that is how it came. Or my friend set it up for me (especially custom builds).
I lust insist on them getting legal or I wont assist them.

 

[therealcrazy8]

And OP, as far as getting paid any amount much less $1,000 for reporting some random individual's illegal W7 Ultimate, don't hold your breath.

I heard about the Microsoft pirate program once or twice a few years back and thought something along the lines of "$1,000? Yeah right. People will report it hoping to get $1,000 only to find out that they only get $10 for a single computer with a pirate Windows install and the $1,000 is only for the cases where people are selling mass amounts of pirated Windows disks."

 

[Porthos]

I had ONE client that bought a 7 ult. good looking box ect. The hologram was a sticker and peeled off. Gave customer MS contact info and he was given a legal copy.

 

[brandonkick]

Again I wouldn't research it, but if there were warning signs or red flags
I wouldn't ignore them either.

If I see win 7 ultimate or some other SKU that either isn't common or doesn't
make sense.... I will question it. If I can determine it's not legit, I wash my hands
of that system.

If I go into the downloads folder and find the motherload of activators / crackers / whatever....
I'd be done with it. Don't need that hassle. Don't need the liability.

It is possible that the client got them unknowingly. If they seem to be legit unaware and are
willing to correct the issues then I can see working with them. If not, take it on down the road
with you.

 

[mraikes]

Lets play Devils advocate.

I am only speaking about the OS here.

Printer now works and next week client complains the computer is not genuine anymore and state this only happened AFTER you worked on it.

We all know or should know if the OS is hacked or cracked and if the user is eligible for that "enterprise" version.

The experienced ones here can "smell" a bogus OS in a heartbeat.

I stop all work on a bogus OS instantly and confer with client. Many will say that is how it came. Or my friend set it up for me (especially custom builds).
I lust insist on them getting legal or I wont assist them.

Ok, I'll play for a bit. So what? Someone calls me and says "my printer was working great for a week, but now my OS says it's not genuine." I'll take a look at it - after all, I'm not perfect. But if I didn't cause the problem, I'm charging for the resolution. And in the case of a bootleg OS, the problem isn't the "not genuine" message that now appears (perhaps) due to work they asked me to do, but rather the illegal OS they had before they even called me.

"It came that way?" Sorry, but you were ripped off. Go back to wherever you got it from. "My friend set it up for me?" Sorry, but your friend made you a criminal. Ask him what he did with the legitimate Windows you thought you were paying for. Neither of those situations are my problem or fault.

You, Mr. Customer, had a printer problem which I resolved. As far as the OS, that is a different problem. You can either get legal, which I'll help you with, or take it back to your friend or computer source.

To be fair, nowadays it's rare for me to encounter an illegal OS or other software. It was much more common years ago. If I had a storefront and 3-4 times the volume of work that I have now, it would be an issue for me 3-4 times more often than it is now. Then maybe I'd look at things differently. But that's not my situation.

 

[therealcrazy8]

Here's how I kinda feel about the whole thing...We can say "we aren't the police" for MS, Adobe, and whoever but there's no reason we cant be. If you can say "I wont install pirated software" yet you wont report it if the opportunity presents itself, then I feel like you might as well have been the one who installed it. If a cop sees a drug deal go down, does that mean he should not do anything because its none of his business? If I am going to be legit in my business, then that's also achieved, and should be expected, through my clients.

On the flip side, we as techs don't know what was done to the pirated OS and what issues it's going to cause. Worst case scenario, we end up with a system that seems to always have problems no matter what we do to "fix" it. Even though that may create job security, it also would likely make it look like you cant do your job...after all you have yet to truly fix the problematic PC. All the while, you could have prevented most, or even all, issues by suggesting that the client either buy a legal copy (preferably from you) or you're going to drop them.

Lets play Devils advocate.

I am only speaking about the OS here.

Printer now works and next week client complains the computer is not genuine anymore and state this only happened AFTER you worked on it.

We all know or should know if the OS is hacked or cracked and if the user is eligible for that "enterprise" version.

The experienced ones here can "smell" a bogus OS in a heartbeat.

I stop all work on a bogus OS instantly and confer with client. Many will say that is how it came. Or my friend set it up for me (especially custom builds).
I lust insist on them getting legal or I wont assist them.

I would agree with this approach as well. Even if they truly aren't the ones who installed it. My first legal copy of Windows was 7 so I get it, I've been there. I haven't downloaded anything illegal in years and have no need or reason to do so. But as a tech running a business, I don't see why things shouldn't be different and why i shouldn't at the very least suggest legal software or find a new tech. If they like you enough, they will buy legal software, hopefully through you even. If they like their pirated software more, well then you don't need them as a client. After all, whos to say they wont try to get all sorts of free stuff from you too?

 

[therealcrazy8]

Ok, I'll play for a bit. So what? Someone calls me and says "my printer was working great for a week, but now my OS says it's not genuine." I'll take a look at it - after all, I'm not perfect. But if I didn't cause the problem, I'm charging for the resolution. And in the case of a bootleg OS, the problem isn't the "not genuine" message that now appears (perhaps) due to work they asked me to do, but rather the illegal OS they had before they even called me.

"It came that way?" Sorry, but you were ripped off. Go back to wherever you got it from. "My friend set it up for me?" Sorry, but your friend made you a criminal. Ask him what he did with the legitimate Windows you thought you were paying for. Neither of those situations are my problem or fault.

You, Mr. Customer, had a printer problem which I resolved. As far as the OS, that is a different problem. You can either get legal, which I'll help you with, or take it back to your friend or computer source.

To be fair, nowadays it's rare for me to encounter an illegal OS or other software. It was much more common years ago. If I had a storefront and 3-4 times the volume of work that I have now, it would be an issue for me 3-4 times more often than it is now. Then maybe I'd look at things differently. But that's not my situation.

Those are very good points. I totally agree with that type of approach as well with putting the ball back in their court, pertaining to the bootleg OS. I also agree that it's FAR more rare now to come across now days, so this may be something that's, for the most part, dead or dang near.

 

[Porthos]

also agree that it's FAR more rare now to come across now days, so this may be something that's, for the most part, dead or dang near.

I average 2-3 a month. Usually the old systems that a "friend" installed Windows for them. Or the pawn shop/eBay purchases. COA usually XP or Vista.

Many with ok OS's have a bad fully working copy of Office either enterprise 2007(some are school copy's) or a pro plus with a AutoKMS hack.

When I see those I warn them especially on a malware clean up that the KMS hack will be deleted and Office will be deactivated.

If I nuke I tell them they will LOOSE Office if they don't install media and key.

All this is one reason I love 10. If they have a digital entitlement im golden.

I have see one hacked Win 10 Enterprise with KMS hack. Had a 7 Home COA. Nuked it and upgraded to 10 legally.

 

[Markverhyden]

I'm not the software police so I not get into an investigation about whether or not what they have installed is legit or not based on the OEM EULA. Just because someone brings in a Win Home COA'd box with Enterprise installed does not mean it's pirated.

Now, when it comes to something that is outright pirated, like a OS that will not register, that is something totally different. I will not accept any hand written license key or copied CD. This goes for the OS as well as all apps. Some situations one can install an app under a 30 day trial. Fine, no problem with that, the customer already knows they are responsible for licensing. Based on my experience over the years those using pirated software on are also those that would balk at paying even $75 for a PC repair. So I'll never get far with them anyways.