Use a hacked serial & lose your data

[amr_01]

well, if you have a legal copy, then you do have a right to do that, hopefully he has away of knowing legal vs illegal.

[+wd40 Subscriber²]

It is illegal for him to tamper with your computer or with files that aren't associated with his program. Doesn't matter if it's hacked or not. Microsoft fixed Service Pack 1 so it wouldn't install with certain installed versions of XP. They knew they can't do something like he is doing or else get sued big time.

[AcdShdw]

i have nothing in my home dir anyways dont ever use it haha

[AcdShdw]

It is illegal for him to tamper with your computer or with files that aren't associated with his program. Doesn't matter if it's hacked or not. Microsoft fixed Service Pack 1 so it wouldn't install with certain installed versions of XP. They knew they can't do something like he is doing or else get sued big time.

its illegal to download software you dont own too lol

[Veiva]

At least he doesn't write a new boot sector so when you restart your computer it tries to move the plattter all the way over the side or overwrite all the firmware or BIOS. :whistle:

[Krux]

regardless of whether or not the license says this it is still very unethical. you rip his software, he ****s your pc... i was always taught two wrongs dont make a right?

I was always taught an eye for an eye. (Within reason) This seems very fair shouldn't steal if your scared of the consequences.

[8tImER]

At least he doesn't write a new boot sector so when you restart your computer it tries to move the plattter all the way over the side or overwrite all the firmware or BIOS. :whistle:

If that were even possible, it would be less bad.

[blackcoffee]

Haha, I love it, he actually pwned some kids. Good job m8! (Y)

[+wd40 Subscriber²]

its illegal to download software you dont own too lol

Yes but it's illegal for him to alter any files on your computer other then his own program. If he screwed up his program by removing it etc then that's ok but removing someone elses stuff is completely illegal.

It's like... finding a stolen tailgate on a pickup, and stripping the entire body!

Edited September 13, 2004 by wd40

[Veiva]

If that were even possible, it would be less bad.

Nah, it would be worse. It would destroy everything. And software-destroy-hardware destruction is possible. Actually, one virus did the first thing I said in that post. :whistle: Would you rather lose your whole computer than a few files... :ninja: :whistle:

[kaffra]

ugh, that's terrible for the person who stole the program but i have to say good for the author... that's one way to assure your getting paid :)

i wont be buying software with these 'features', im sure there are other alternatives.

[xxdesmus]

i'd love to seem him actually do this...he would get sued so fast he wouldn't even have time to say "oops"

[Bearded Kirklander]

it Does Not. I'm a Mac user dude. I know what I'm talking about

What exactly does the Home folder hold then? If you could educate us, that would be very cool. :cool:

[8tImER]

Nah, it would be worse. It would destroy everything. And software-destroy-hardware destruction is possible. Actually, one virus did the first thing I said in that post. :whistle: Would you rather lose your whole computer than a few files... :ninja: :whistle:

Wrong tense.

It WAS possible, and that virus was a long time ago ;)

Furthermore, moving the heads of the harddisks to the edge of the platters would perhaps destroy them, but not really the data on the platters.

So it would be recoverable, if it'd be worth the money to let a data recovery company do it...

And yes, CIH did erase the BIOS, my bad, forgot about that for a second :D

[goheels681]

I don't see anything wrong with this, honestly. You shouldn't pirate software, and you should read the license agreement, and if you don't do both, you might get screwed.....in the bad way

[Veiva]

Wrong tense.

It WAS possible, and that virus was a long time ago ;)

Furthermore, moving the heads of the harddisks to the edge of the platters would perhaps destroy them, but not really the data on the platters.

So it would be recoverable, if it'd be worth the money to let a data recovery company do it...

And yes, CIH did erase the BIOS, my bad, forgot about that for a second :D

Ooops. Oh, but still, who would spend thousands just to get some of their data back? Unless it is a business. But I knew about Mr. BIOS Killer... He is not nice. :no: :cry: I got it before. But at least, it was an old computer.

But that guy. I would never get any software from him, ever.

[Jambooo]

Oh my god that is crazy!

I have a totally legit version of Office 2000 which i've had for some time now. I lost the serial a while ago and after moving computers a few times i've used somewhat illegal cracking sites to obtain a new serial.

If I lost precious data cause of that... Microsoft would get it.. BAD...

[DreAming in DigITal]

/\ /\ Isn't it up to the owner of the program to keep up with their own serial number (personal responsibility anyone?). Even if you did loose it you can call microsoft and verify your info with them to get a new one. I think this guy is onto something...people have been used to getting everything for free on the internet and now that something is being done about it everyone is all ****y. If you steal software then you have to handle what is going to happen to you if you get caught. Would you rather be taken to court and lose tons of money if he knows who the users are (RIAA Fashon)? Besides, if you don't have your data backed up your a total moran that deserves this. :)

[allfive6]

I think this may be going a little too far :|

https://www.neowin.net/images/icons/souricon.gif News source: Slashdot

that is alittle much

[stardotstar]

Ah another big topic of ethics relating to software, too many pros and cons, but I think deleting everything other then your own software is over the top.

[xxdesmus]

the second you touch software that isn't your own (i.e. the second this guy deletes any information that is not a part of his software) he is breaking the law. plain and simple.

[Axel]

It is too far in my opinion. For any number of reasons the software could backfire and screw things up for innocent people.

He honestly doesnt know what he could be doing to people, if there was something so important in that directory that could never be replaced perhaps, he could be affecting more people than one.

Also for those who say terms and conditions can cover it... boll*cks! It counts as malicious code and as far as I've known up until now, writing 'malicious' code... or code for 'malicious intent' is not legal.

[Vice]

What exactly does the Home folder hold then? If you could educate us, that would be very cool. :cool:

It holds the following folders:

Desktop - The desktop as a folder view.

Music - All music including music thats been imported to iTunes.

Sites - if apache server is in use this is where you would drop site pages to be hosted from your Mac.

Movies - Any movie files.

Pictures - Any picture files.

Applications - This users applications/games.

Documents - Documents (from Microsoft word so forth).

Public - A drop box so you can share folders + files with other people who use the computer.

Library - Like a user specific system folder it only has information towards that 1 user and deleting this would not hurt system stability.

The home folder holds pretty much everything that allows users to customize there computer in anyway. Having it deleted would be like just getting a new computer with only the operating system installed on it.

[matt74441]

Wow :|

I certainly don't agree with his approach to this, but he'd better make sure that his program doesn't delete the home directory of paying customers.

[nexx]

It's not up to the sotware authors to punish people for they think are illegally using thier software. If I use try and install your software illegally, it's simple, dont let the program work, dont delete my family photos and the evidence I have about who actually killed JFK ;)