Malwarebytes Offers Pirates Its Premium Antimalware Product For Free
An anonymous reader writes: If you have a cracked or pirated version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) product the company has debuted an Amnesty program for you. Venturebeat reports: "If you pirated Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, purchased a counterfeit version of the software, or are having problems with your key in general, the company is offering a free replacement key." CEO Marcin Kleczynski explained the program and his statement reads in part: "When I started Malwarebytes, I absolutely had no idea how successful we would be today. I am extremely grateful for all of the support from everyone and how fast we’ve grown. That being said, I picked a very insecure license key algorithm and as such, generating a pirated key was, and is, very simple.
The problem with pirated keys is that they may collide with a legitimate key just by the sheer numbers. For example, Larry may generate a pirated key that matches the exact key that I already bought. Yes, this is silly, and yes, this is literally the first thing a professional software company thinks of when building license key generation, but when you think you’re building a product for just a few people you don’t hash out these details.
Now we’ve grown up, and we’ve got a new licensing system that we’ve rolled out in stages. The only problem is that we have millions of users that we’ve sold keys to, or a reseller has sold keys to, or we’ve given out keys to without keeping track. It is a mess, and you as a consumer have every right to be upset.
The problem with pirated keys is that they may collide with a legitimate key just by the sheer numbers. For example, Larry may generate a pirated key that matches the exact key that I already bought. Yes, this is silly, and yes, this is literally the first thing a professional software company thinks of when building license key generation, but when you think you’re building a product for just a few people you don’t hash out these details.
Now we’ve grown up, and we’ve got a new licensing system that we’ve rolled out in stages. The only problem is that we have millions of users that we’ve sold keys to, or a reseller has sold keys to, or we’ve given out keys to without keeping track. It is a mess, and you as a consumer have every right to be upset.
It's pretty easy to lock down these things via hardware. In fact, I have a working model that's (theoretically) infinitely scale-able on any given server, ignoring file number restraints from the hosting provider. http://www.tot-ltd.org/WMSDK.h...
>> cracked or pirated version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Really? Could anyone on SlashDot really be this dumb?
It's a good marketing move - most people just download the free version and scan. Problems fixed so they won't buy it for the bells and whistles - now they'll get lots of people to try the bells and whistles and might retain future revenue.
It's better than them canceling the free version and make it pay only for revenue.
_ _ _ Go for the eyes Boo! GO FOR THE EYES!
I've used the product over several years. I had the pleasure of meeting some of their folks at infosec europe (London) and as ever they remain some of the good guys out there. I'm happy to cut these guys a little slack when they need to sort things out - and I wish them well along the way!
distrowatch.com
I had a copy of MalwareBytes Home Full Version installed that I found on the floor of the internet and fired it up to see what happens.
It said there was a new version and would I like to download it and install it. I let it install and let it run. It then popped up a window saying there was a problem with the license and asked me which scenario my copy came from. One choice was that I downloaded it from the internet or the second choice was that I had purchased a key from them. I, of course, chose option 2 and it went on and installed the new Premium Home version.
Guinea Pig Sacrificed.
This steaming load of Malwarebytes false security doesn't even run on Linux.
Why would you give your child a Windows OEM PC and not help him/her with a dual boot install of Linux? Don't have the spare 10 mins? Or are you a stupid consumer level Windows enthusiast?
eg. Son, your games go on Windows. Boot into Linux when you are not playing video games. Bingo. Your child doesn't become an idiot worrying about keygens for "anti-virus software".
Make sure you tell them Internet Explorer is included with Windows for the sole purpose of downloading a web browser like Firefox. Put Adblock Plus, Ghostery, and NoScript add-ons on Firefox. Never use Microsoft email software. Thunderbird is free, etc.
You can also tell them Oracle Virtualbox is free, and PC-BSD is free. Tell them to learn some software that has value beyond Internet Explorer and a flash player for webcam sites. Skype works on Linux and Android too.
If you are not an idiot you can also show them how to run *nix in Virtual Machines. Show them how easy it is to copy a folder of a non-messed up backup VM install and start fresh. Encourage periodic data backups eg. bookmarks. Especially with SSD's, a reboot is not a big deal.
As they grow older they will thank you and the end of these BS anti-virus apps and all related "stories" go in the toilet. Still waiting. If kids can use Macs, they can use Linux. distrowatch.com Costs literally nothing to be smarter.
since they've moved away from the perpetual lifetime license and updates, and onto the shitty subscription model... mbam used to stand apart from the crowd in that regard, but now they're just the same greedy money-grabbing scum as everybody else.
So let's see if I have this right. With this initiative pirates get free product while customers are charged for the same product? Score: Pirates 1 / Customers 0 I say they expand the initiative to include providing existing customers with a free 1 year license extension and 1 year free to new customers. In that way, everyone can fairly enjoy the same benefits while being properly exposed to the premium product.
A friend of mine (no really, my house is a Mac/Linux place), got the "Your data has been encrypted by Russian hackers, pay us extortion money or the cost goes up next week". So her laptop has been sitting here for the last month or two, because she's not gonna play that game.
Can I un-fark her files? Anyone got a link or suggestions on terms I can google on this? It's been a month or two, I figured people would get smarter in the meantime, and indeed it seems they have.
Several months ago after one of the Internet large password breaches the company offered several "forever" codes on Reddit as a gesture of goodwill. Amazingly enough those are now coming up as these suspicious licenses now. I suppose you can't complain about something you got for free, even if it wasn't pirated. I have another year of the license now before it expires instead of lifetime.
We need a generation of antivirus tools that decern between the disher and the dishee....... so it doesnt flag your attack tool, unless you've been hit with your own petard.
offer free license key. Colour me impressed and dully excited. (disclaimer nothing against the particular vendor)
It's pretty easy to lock down these things via hardware.
In fact,
cough (me think he protest overly so) "to be frank", "to be honest" (trust me, that warm feeling is not me pissing in your pocket, in fact...)
I have a working model that's (theoretically) infinitely scale-able
So much for the fact. The "theoretically" taketh away the impossible "infinitely"....
on any given server, ignoring file number restraints from the hosting provider.
tl;dr? rhetoric + sophism + bullshit = pure_weasel
http://www.tot-ltd.con/WMSDK.h...
FTFY
Now stop spamming and fuck off back to Intertubes Worriers where you belong. Surely they need more of your fake malware products more than /. readers? (Erick - that is you isn't it? Your self-promotion is almost as good as your ability to fall down fire-stairs when trying to skive off work.)
Damned if this isn't a first. I've never needed a licensed version of their software, but the transparency, respect, and benefit of the doubt they are giving users of their software, both paid and otherwise, truly impresses me. As such, I will be happy to purchase a license the next time I need their software.
It's a perfect time for being wasted.
A perfect time to watch the stars.
- Burden Brothers, "Beautiful Night"
That won't happen anytime soon. As for the fake malware product? Hardly. Any speculation that the malware scanner is somehow fake, or secretly malicious has been disproven for quite some time. Well over a decade, as a matter of fact. And yes, that is me. As for the insinuation that I fell down fire-stairs, that's a knee-slapper (pun intended). After the most recent injury (again, due to negligence on the part of the company and the property management), I left. Not because I was ripping anyone off, in fact, quite the opposite was true. I have back-and-forth emails proving this, along with their source code, readable and easily understandable documentation, and an actual working content delivery system that had all undergone extensive penetration testing. The reason I left was because they wanted to turn a legit work-related injury into a game of attempted blackmailing and some kind of bizzare victim-blaming bullshit.
I can do quite a bit, but what I can't do is fix 20+ years of internal disorganization, including tax records going back to 1987. There's also quite a bit of other medical problems that have been ongoing for about 15 years, but really, fully disclosing my own state of health is nobody's business other than my own, and the attorneys involved in my current situation.
Now, if you really want to be offended, I'd suggest visiting the following subdirectories: tot-ltd.org/rmd tot-ltd.org/sgp
Along with - facebook.com/AGameOfCraps
..would people shit on someone for acknowledging a problem, admitting fault, and then moving to fix it in a way that benefits not just the consumer, but everyone else too.
BeauHD. Worst editor since kdawson.
"Your hosts file comments are not trustworthy" - by omnichad (1198475) on Friday August 09, 2013 @11:22AM (#44520759)
Oh, really? Ok: MalwareBytes' hpHosts Admin (MalwareBytes employee who has seen & verified its sourcecode too no less as safe) hosts & recommends it -> http://hosts-file.net/?s=Downl...
&
MalwareBytes = BEST antivirus (per this VERY recent testing of them all) -> http://www.av-test.org/en/news...
&
It's GUARANTEED safe & clean (per it being checked by 57 antivirus programs recently) in BOTH its 64-bit model -> https://www.virustotal.com/en/...
+
In its 32-bit model also https://www.virustotal.com/en/...
---
Tells us, omniweasel:
* HOW'S IT TASTE "EATING YOUR WORDS" flavored with your FOOT IN YOUR MOUTH ramming them down spiced with the BITTER TASTE of SELF-DEFEAT"?
LMAO...
APK
P.S.=> Lastly: In the past, You also conceded MANY points on hosts to me & made huge mistakes vs. me here http://tech.slashdot.org/comme...
&
Here too http://tech.slashdot.org/comme...
LMAO @ U, "omniloser"... apk
"Your hosts file comments are not trustworthy" - by omnichad (1198475) on Friday August 09, 2013 @11:22AM (#44520759)
Oh, really? Ok: MalwareBytes' hpHosts Admin (MalwareBytes employee who has seen & verified its sourcecode too no less as safe) hosts & recommends it -> http://hosts-file.net/?s=Downl...
&
MalwareBytes = BEST antivirus (per this VERY recent testing of them all) -> http://www.av-test.org/en/news...
&
It's GUARANTEED safe & clean (per it being checked by 57 antivirus programs recently) in BOTH its 64-bit model -> https://www.virustotal.com/en/...
+
In its 32-bit model also https://www.virustotal.com/en/...
---
Tells us, omniweasel:
* HOW'S IT TASTE "EATING YOUR WORDS" flavored with your FOOT IN YOUR MOUTH ramming them down spiced with the BITTER TASTE of SELF-DEFEAT"?
LMAO...
APK
P.S.=> Lastly: In the past, You also conceded MANY points on hosts to me & made huge mistakes vs. me here http://tech.slashdot.org/comme...
&
Here too http://tech.slashdot.org/comme...
LMAO @ U, "omniloser"... apk
"Your hosts file comments are not trustworthy" - by omnichad (1198475) on Friday August 09, 2013 @11:22AM (#44520759)
See subject: MalwareBytes' hpHosts Admin (MalwareBytes employee who has seen & verified its sourcecode too no less as safe) hosts & recommends it -> http://hosts-file.net/?s=Downl...
&
MalwareBytes = BEST antivirus (per this VERY recent testing of them all) -> http://www.av-test.org/en/news...
&
It's GUARANTEED safe & clean (per it being checked by 57 antivirus programs recently) in BOTH its 64-bit model -> https://www.virustotal.com/en/...
+
In its 32-bit model also https://www.virustotal.com/en/...
---
Tells us, omniweasel:
* HOW'S IT TASTE "EATING YOUR WORDS" flavored with your FOOT IN YOUR MOUTH ramming them down spiced with the BITTER TASTE of SELF-DEFEAT"?
LMAO...
Additionally - have some manners!
It's NOT POLITE to talk with your mouth full as you "eat your words" quoted above after all that proof to the contrary from reputable sources.
APK
P.S.=> Lastly: You also conceded MANY points on hosts to me & made huge mistakes vs. me here http://tech.slashdot.org/comme...
&
Here too http://tech.slashdot.org/comme...
LMAO @ U, "omniloser"... apk
I just have a feeling this "free" version will do things like Superfish on Lenovo... stealing info, or gathering non-private data to boost their advertising campaign....