software piracy alert

**drew07** · June 7th, 2004, 07:54 AM

everytime i boot my pc am getting this message it goes on to say i have used an illegal serial number for a progam and that they have obtained information including my ip adress isp,and serial number attempted regarding potential copyright infringement and that if illegal useage of software is substantiated documents will be filed with my isp informing them of internet abuse
have now got rid of said software but does anyone know of the likely consequenses of this

**hawkburn** · June 7th, 2004, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by drew07

everytime i boot my pc am getting this message it goes on to say i have used an illegal serial number for a progam and that they have obtained information including my ip adress isp,and serial number attempted regarding potential copyright infringement and that if illegal useage of software is substantiated documents will be filed with my isp informing them of internet abuse
have now got rid of said software but does anyone know of the likely consequenses of this

Unless it's a Microsoft, Adobe, or Macromedia program (which I'm 99% sure it isnt, because those just deny access to the program if they know it's illegal) then I doubt there will be much, if any consequences. It's a good thing you un-installed that program, as you can never be too safe, although I'm betting that that program had built-in "scare-tactics" so that it would scare you into un-installing it, although I cannot be sure, so better safe than sorry.

**muskrat_love** · June 7th, 2004, 08:17 AM

Would it happen to be GameGain? If so dont worry about it.

**drew07** · June 7th, 2004, 11:46 AM

it was a program for boosting pc performance got rid of everything in the registry but still comes up eveytime i boot pc dont think removing it wil make much difference as message also said removing it would not stop them with any legal issues just a bit annoying its there every time i boot.but thanks for the quick replies

**Unsueable Davey Brown** · June 7th, 2004, 12:38 PM

Don't know why, but it sounds kind of trojany to me. Is that possible? Could there be a trojan that scans people's systems for known cracks, then installs a message in the startup? Is that possible? I've never heard of such a thing, but it wouldn't surprise me. It would be interesting to know if something like that existed.

**woohoo** · June 7th, 2004, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by drew07

it was a program for boosting pc performance got rid of everything in the registry

you should not have allowed it to access the internet. block it with your firewall and they will never know you are using it.

**hawkburn** · June 7th, 2004, 01:37 PM

Is the program "Tweak(Insert Operating System Letters here)"?

If so, don't worry about it, because it's a good 'ol routine of scare tactics. But yes, not allowing those kind of programs to access the internet would be wise.

**kiwibank** · June 7th, 2004, 03:10 PM

just stop using it or block it from accessing the internet as has been said previously....some well-known download managers and other apps send the same message if a crack or false serial is used to activate them...the pop-up killer admuncher, for instance, is another that has this unfortunate habit.

**YLZ** · June 7th, 2004, 03:17 PM

Yes. I had the same pop up thing with photoshop. I'm not in jail. .

**fireforce555** · June 7th, 2004, 03:19 PM

Werent there 2 assholes making these little viruses to "stop" internet software piracy? They made things that got posted to kazaa and when you downloaded them they gave you a "warning" that was similar.

Sounds like spyware or a trojan/virus. Run an updated antivirus and then spybot S&D and maybe adaware just to make sure.

**Omyn** · June 7th, 2004, 03:49 PM

As I remember it was a program created by two low lifes to scare people into staying away from downloading programs off of the internet.

I would check your startup and try to find it.

Start>Run>MSConfig>Startup

Never encountered it myself, but I would be more careful next time and scan files, never download any cracks off p2p, leave that to the well known web sites, also I make it a rule for myself to never download any software applications that arent at least a few hundred megabytes (even then your not safe).

As for consequences you have nothing to worry about, just a stupid program.

I would try updating your Windows client, and your Anti-Virus software, along with the Trend Micro housecall stuff, the one you download thats a java application and scans your files for you, not sure about the website so you'll have to do some hunting.

I usually am ultra paranoid delete everything on the computer and start fresh type person, but this I would not be too concerned about.

Try downloading Ad-Aware and Spybot S&D (both free applications and dont forget to update them when you download them) to see if they pick up this thing.

It might be in your startup so check by entering the following:

Keep safe, better luck next time.

**randomjoe** · August 16th, 2004, 08:19 AM

i pirated *******....it put S*$t on my comp and told me to update to a leagel version and i had been reported n s£8t....can someone please confirm it wont of done anything and it was scare tactics.....

Please don't use file names.

**mcovey** · August 16th, 2004, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by randomjoe

i pirated gamegain....it put S*$t on my comp and told me to update to a leagel version and i had been reported n s£8t....can someone please confirm it wont of done anything and it was scare tactics.....

if they were going to do anything would they tell you? so you could run. quick leave the country! of course its a scare. but if it isnt and they put you in jail let us know.

**randomjoe** · August 16th, 2004, 08:54 AM

lol i spose i just got paranoid all id have to do if they did wish to prosecuet it format the hard-drive or even better....hide it. lol ye ri would let you know.....n i spose its only a £6 app
n it sucks