How secure are unofficial MS Windows copies?

[mech-eng]

TL;DR

I wonder about unofficial operating systems.

Hello. I wonder about unoffial operating system for our devices. First, I want to start from Windows.

Windows have unofficial version. These are probably called "pirate" or "cracked". I guess these are prepared by hackers but for which reason? Do hackers care those who cannot afford to buy windows so they release free, unofficial versions? What is the point here? How secure are these copies of Windows operating system? Could there be risks even though the user who those prite copies use an antivirus?

P.S: My windows is original and the windows key came with the PC.

Regards,

 

[jedishrfu]

I'm sure unauthorized operating systems are completely safe as long as you don't use them.

Hacked / jail-broken means stuff was changed. What was the reason behind jail-breaking it? just to give away a free copy? There has to be a hidden agenda in there somewhere.

Were other things added? crypto-mining? malware? shady device drivers? whatever the hacker wanted to add?

How will you get critical system vulnerability updates?

Microsoft in contrast has a legal / financial duty to create a safe product. If they fail then people will seek alternatives such as Ubuntu or macOS.

 

[mech-eng]

How will you get critical system vulnerability updates?

I have disabled my updates because I became tired of those updates. But aren't updates ready or active for pirate windows copies? I don't know how things work in those pirate copies. This is a matter on its own right. Does someone know?

 

[Wrichik Basu]

Windows have unofficial version. These are probably called "pirate" or "cracked". I guess these are prepared by hackers but for which reason? Do hackers care those who cannot afford to buy windows so they release free, unofficial versions?

If you do not pay for the commodity, you are the commodity (not true in FOSS, though). I agree what @jedishrfu says. If one can't buy Windows, they should shift to an open-source alternative like Ubuntu.

 

[Wrichik Basu]

I have disabled my updates because I became tired of those updates.

Yikes! That's bad on so many levels. For one, you will lose out on security fixes and your system will become more vulnerable to hakers. Good luck!

 

[FactChecker]

I have disabled my updates because I became tired of those updates.

Do you know what is being updated? I never installed Microsoft Office. I use LibreOffice instead. I have not been bothered by updates very often.
I agree with @Wrichik Basu that disabling updates is dangerous.

 

[mech-eng]

I have not been bothered by updates very often.

Don't you use windows 10? Before windows 10, the situations may be different. Windows 10 frequently takes updates, and this is bothering to many users. So we can hold up them up to 40 days, if I know correctly. I don't think most of them for security reasons.

 

[FactChecker]

Don't you use windows 10? Before windows 10, the situations may be different. Windows 10 frequently takes updates, and this is bothering to many users. So we can hold up them up to 40 days, if I know correctly. I don't think most of them for security reasons.

I use Windows 10. I hope that I have not unintentionally disabled updates.

 

[jack action]

6 Reasons Why You Should Never Use a Pirated Copy of Windows:

1. You May Not Get Any Windows Updates
2. A Pirated Copy of Windows Is Less Safe
3. You May See a Decline in Performance
4. You'll Get Limited Access to Microsoft Products and Run the Risk of Getting Banned
5. Hackers Could Spy on You
6. You May End Up Behind Bars

 

[S.G. Janssens]

You wrote that

Summary: I wonder about unofficial operating systems.

P.S: My windows is original and the windows key came with the PC.

So, why are you interested in this question? Is your interest somehow "academic"?

In short: Using pirated copies of closed-source software is a recipe for disaster.

Disabling or postponing updates on an official copy of software, closed or open, is a recipe for unhappiness. See post #5. Just let the updates run during a bathroom visit, for example. It will make that visit even more satisfying.

 

[berkeman]

Thread closed for Moderation...

 

[berkeman]

Thread will remain closed. Warnings or infractions will be issued as appropriate.