Don’t fall victim to piracy. Educate yourself to protect yourself.
Piracy Can Cost You Your Identity
Pirated software is more likely to contain spyware, which after installation can steal personal and confidential information (for example credit card, bank account, passwords, address book information, etc.) from your computer without your knowledge. Stolen information can be exploited immediately through pirated software by identity thieves.
Piracy Can Cost You Your Computer
Pirated software can make your computer more vulnerable to virus attacks which can lead to loss of irreplaceable files or corruption to other software on your computer. In some cases, pirated software can lead to the destruction of your computer by permanently damaging the hard drive or other components.
Warning Signs
Prices that are too good to be true.
Be suspicious of prices 30% below MSRP.Purchase software only from reputable companies. When purchasing from websites, make sure they are legitimate:
- During checkout, look for a padlock icon on your browser.
- Make sure URL is https:// not http://. The "s" means that information is encrypted when it's sent over the Internet. It doesn't mean the site is legitimate.
- Review and confirm return policy
- Make sure the website has valid contact information
- If you see Symantec software for download on any website other than Symantec eStore (http://us.norton.com/), DO NOT DOWNLOAD. i.e. Torrent sites, peer-to-peer, etc.
Auction Sites
When purchasing from the Internet, including auction sites, be cautious of:
- Unbundled OEM and System Builder software
- No box and manual on CD
- No tech support
- Key/serial number only
- Disc only
- CD-R/backup copy
- Software delivered via e-mail
- Software described as "cannot be registered"
- Compilation - more than one program on a single CD
To understand more about buying and selling software on auction sites, see the links below:
Spam
- Be cautious of unsolicited spam that promotes Symantec/Norton branded software
- File spam complaints with
- Visit for more information on spam
