In general
Most games and programs are expensive. Some people therefore choose to pirate them so as not to have to pay for them. However, this practice involves great risks because pirated programs and games may contain malware or other computer viruses. Also, the updates for these games or programs, which guarantee your security, often cannot be installed with a pirated version. The same applies to “serial number generators" which, with a demo version of a program, make it possible to access all its functions by generating a working fake number to activate the program.
All these little programs, apparently harmless, very often include malicious software. A simple rule: avoid piracy, even if you are a computer ace.
In all cases, make sure you have good up-to-date antivirus software and above all back up your data regularly. And make sure you save the back-up copies to an external disc or in the “cloud”.
Tips
- Before downloading anything, ask yourself if the provider is safe, especially if it is not the official supplier of the program.
- Do not download an unofficial version of the program or “cracks”, because there is a high risk of viruses or malware.
- For free or open-source programs, download them from GitHub or a recommended open-source exchange platform.
- Update your antivirus software regularly.
- Make back-ups regularly. In the event of any problems, this is the only way to quickly restore your computer or mobile.