Malwarebytes launches pirated key amnesty

June 29, 2015 | 11:53

Tags: #amnesty #piracy #pirate #security-software

Companies: #malwarebytes

Security software specialist Malwarebytes has launched an amnesty programme designed to replace stolen or counterfeit registration keys with legitimate ones.

Designed to allow the company to block leaked registration keys without inconveniencing users whose keys were unknowingly stolen or who were tricked into paying money for a stolen or generated key, the amnesty programme gives Malwarebytes Anti-Malware users a new key. Those who admit to having snagged a key from a dodgy website or Torrent tracker get a twelve-month key, while those who were tricked into paying cash get one which matches the length of the original key; in either case, the new key is unique to that user, while the old key becomes invalid after a length of time.

'The Internet is full of pioneers and cowboys. It’s also got its fair share of pirates and trolls. Some of those bad guys may have duped you into purchasing a counterfeit version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. Or perhaps we’ve simply detected a problem with your key. Not to worry. We’re here to help,' the company explained in its announcement of the programme. 'Malwarebytes is offering a free replacement key for Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium customers who have been inconvenienced by piracy or abuse. This new key will be exclusive to you going forward.'

The system is, naturally, open to abuse, but Malwarebytes has indicated that punishing pirates is far less important than supporting its users. 'Piracy is not really a huge problem for us in my opinion,' Malwarebytes' Bruce Harrison told TorrentFreak in an earlier interview. 'There are a lot of people who simply won’t pay for our software and being aggressive against them won’t change that.'
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