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Keygens/Patches/Cracks (lemmy.dbzer0.com)

submitted 10 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

8 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Ok, I need some insight before I go back into Torrenting. I need a piece of software from a less than reputable company (Wondershare). Now I know Keygens can be run through Sandboxie or a VM to get the key but how do Patches and Cracks work?

One of TorrentGalaxy's most trusted uploaders & software patchers keeps the software updated and uploaded & includes in the download listing the www.virustotal.com report for the installation files which shows a clean listing; however the Patch shows a listing for multiple AV/Malware software which shows the Patch being a virus. So, how do I use the software if the Patch is "infected". Am I missing something? Thanks!

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (2 children)

When the source of a crack/patch isn't trusted, I'd do like you said and install it in a VM, then compare the patched files with their unpatched copies using diffing software (Beyond Compare's hex compare feature is useful for this). If there are a huge amount of changes, like completely different size and content, or it is protected with a packer (typically will be a several MB larger), I would definitely steer clear of it. If it's just a few changed bytes (and maybe the digital signature overlay is stripped off), then it's most likely safe and you can just copy the patched files out of the VM and overwrite your main install.

Edit: Also, always prefer official installers directly from the developer's site if they are available; "pre-cracked" installers are always a red flag to me.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

This sounds like excellent advice. I happen to have a licensed version of BeyondCompare that I can install and do Hex compare. I appreciate the guidelines to follow and I agree with you on the "pre-cracked" options. I would always install from the developer's site first and then use the patch if I use it at all. Unfortunately, this software mush have a "phone-home" features and has a "hosts file" change as well. As with the previous response, I would appreciate your input on whether you would try it or not.

Wondershare Uniconverter

Thanks for your excellent advice & input!