How to protect software from copying and hacking: basic methods and strategies in USA

In today's world, information is an essential and valuable asset. Many people understand the profit that new programs and applications can bring. Some people invest their efforts and resources in development to earn an honest income. Others take advantage of vulnerabilities to hack software and copy it. Why do this? PC and other devices’ owners can use such programs for personal purposes. But most often, it is a matter of free distribution. It still entails opportunities to make money.

In times when information has become a valuable resource, phishing protection software comes to the fore. There are special cyber developments that can prevent hacking and illegal copying. However, installing the best ransomware protection software does not give 100% security guarantees. You need to approach this issue comprehensively.

If you are interested in protecting software and personal data, installing a password manager and creating complex access codes to the social media is not enough. Your data can fall into the hands of a third party and be used for personal gain. It is crucial for software developers and those who create original online projects and write applications to take special care of security and protection. The Keyonline24 team will tell you how to create a powerful shield. If necessary, you can find best time-tested solutions on our website.

Why is software protection so important?

Before you choose and install website protection software or ransomware protection software, it is essential to understand why it is important and what potential problems you can face with.

Decrease in profit in USA and Canada

Most of our readers and customers ask what is unlicensed software? It is programs and applications that have been hacked or cracked. Attackers got access to the code, which allowed them to distribute the software for free, introducing some additions and changes. Unfortunately, unlicensed software often turns out to have malicious programs hidden inside.

It seems that hacked applications are a problem for people who download and work with unlicensed software. But it is not. Developers also face negative consequences. And the main one is financial losses. All of the creators of quality software want their work to be worthwhile. They try to invest effort, time, and money in creating a product. Later, they offer to buy their development, which justifies all expenses.

But if the program is hacked and starts to be distributed for free, the developers will lose their source of income. The project they worked so hard on will bring nothing. It is unlikely that such people will have a desire to continue developing.

Loss of intellectual property in USA and Canada

Creating an application or a program is implementing an idea the developer has considered. Therefore, another important unlicensed software risk is the loss of intellectual property.

As in the first case, it entails serious financial losses. You cannot allow your property to be stolen by someone. Imagine that you have invented a cure for a dangerous disease. But someone steals your idea and now enjoys all the privileges. Do you want something like that to happen? No. Then you should think about security and install Mac protection software or special solutions for Windows and other operating systems.

Reputational risks in United States and Canada

Another reason to use protection software and take measures to prevent hacking is reputation. It can be severely damaged.

Suppose a user went to the Internet and downloaded some software from an unofficial site. After some time, it turned out that there were a bunch of viruses inside, the software did not work, did not fulfill its functions, and so on. Obviously, the user will make claims to the developer. That is you or your company because most of the users will not write to the owner of the site where the hacked and stolen program was placed. As a result, numerous reviews and comments of dissatisfied people appear on the network.

It is impossible to prove to everyone that the program was hacked, and you are not to blame for the fact that users' computers are infected and their data stolen. To prevent this, you must consider Internet protection software in advance.

Software licensing methods in America and Canada

It is a good idea to install effective malware protection software or reliable firewall protection software on your PC and your employees' computers. But the first step in copy protection is licensing. With licensing software, you can choose the payment method for your developments. There are several options and ways to use software licensing management tools.

We want to answer the key question that reveals the peculiarities of the procedure. What is software licensing? It confirms that the development belongs to you, and the remuneration for its use is credited to your or the company's account. Thanks to simple software licensing, no one will have any doubts about who owns the product.

Nowadays, there are several types of software licensing. Let us tell you about them in more detail.

• One-time payment. The essence of this software licensing definition is that you pay only once to purchase software. After that, the client gets unlimited access and unlimited period of use. This principle is used, for example, when you order a licensed operating system in the Keyonline24 store;
• Functional restrictions. A lot of popular software licensing types include this option. To get access to additional functions, you need to make a payment. This way, you can get an antivirus program with advanced features for one year. After that, some capabilities will be disabled. To get back to them again, you need to repurchase an activation key for a year. It is how our cybersecurity solutions store works;
• Temporary license. It is worth highlighting this popular method among software licensing tools. In fact, you lease the application. It is a subscription that can range from 1 month to several years. The most obvious example is a subscription to Office 365;
• Tiered system. The peculiarity of this software licensing service is that it is a combination of the previously discussed methods. The user gets access to a certain level depending on the payment amount. It is often something like a Silver, Gold, and Platinum subscription.

It is up to you to decide which software licensing tool to use. But the prerequisite will be licensing, copyright protection, and finding measures to prevent hacking and copying of your software.

The modern problems of unlicensed software

Using software licensing solutions only partially solves the problem of illegal hacking and copying. It is hardly necessary to ask: is it illegal to use unlicensed software? The answer is obvious. Yes, it is absolutely illegal.

Modern developers need some help related to the activities of fraudsters and cybercriminals.

• A large amount of pirated software. According to statistics, about 35-40% of solutions that users install on PCs and portable laptops are cracked, unlicensed programs;
• Earnings of fraudsters. According to some data, criminals earn more than 50-100 billion dollars a year thanks to hacking and software distribution. The real figures may be higher;
• Increase in the number of infected devices. Weak defenses and powerful hacking tools lead to malware spreading through stolen software. And every year, these figures are increasing;
• Financial losses. Total losses among licensed software developers exceed 600-800 billion dollars annually.

As you can see, this is a global and very serious problem. Therefore, application creators should consider using software licensing management tool and create a powerful line of defense against copying and illegal access to their projects.

What are the dangers of downloading cracked software?

Many modern users mistakenly think it is enough to install free virus protection software and forget about any threats from the Internet. This is not the case.

Of course, developers lose money because their programs are hacked, their copyrights are violated, and intellectual property is stolen. But ordinary users also suffer because of the activities of cybercriminals. Why? There are several reasons.

• Infection of devices. One of the most common software risks is the penetration of malware on computers and smartphones by installing an illegal application. What will follow, we can only guess. It all depends on the type of malware. If you are interested, you can read a detailed article on our website about the varieties of malware;
• Data theft. Another possible problem is data leakage through infected software. Attackers insert malware in the code that infiltrates the system, accesses personal data, and more. You may end up being ransomed to get your data back or not to publish it online;
• Financial loss. The objective of 99% of cybercriminals is to make money. Therefore, many attackers demand money or install hacked programs by gullible users to steal financial data. It can be accessed through an e-wallet, bank card, or cryptocurrency wallet. It is unlikely that you will want to lose all money or Bitcoins. And this is entirely possible if you install unlicensed solutions.

Therefore, think three times before going to unofficial sites and installing software without a license. Saving money can cost you a lot.

How to protect developed software from copying and hacking

Using protection software is not the only way to prevent theft and copying of data from your devices. If you are a software developer or an entire company producing state-of-the-art software and applications, consider comprehensive intellectual property protection.

Let's take a look at a few effective methods and modern tools.

Trust in customers in America and Canada

The idea is that you will have complete trust in your customers and rely on their integrity. They will honestly pay for the program, install it, activate it, and will not copy or hack anything.

How effective is this? Not at all. Therefore, this option can be considered in exceptional cases. For example, if the software is distributed only among a limited number of people whom you trust completely. But objectively, this is rare.

Copyright in United States and Canada

Protect the created projects with copyright if you are engaged in software development. It is your legal opportunity. Through authorized companies, you register the product. Thanks to copyright, your intellectual property will be protected by the state.

In case of hacking or illegal copying, you can claim your copyright and demand compensation through the court.

Licensing in America and Canada

Another effective tool is making business licensing software. With the help of this procedure you can secure your data and prevent illegal copying.

A license allows you to restrict access to only certain individuals or organizations. That is, those to whom you sell or grant a permit. If someone tries to copy or illegally use the software, it would be a severe violation. A privacy policy should be spelled out in detail.

Watermarks in North America

The use of digital watermarks has gained popularity among application developers. It is a pretty effective protection tool.

Watermark you embed directly into the files, where your license and copyright will be displayed. The marks can be visible and invisible. You can easily determine that the program has been hacked, copied, and illegally distributed, thanks to digital watermarks.

DRM systems in United States and Canada

It is a powerful and modern software licensing management tool. With the help of these systems files, and data can be protected from illegal and unwanted copying. DRM systems use encryption methods. With their help, it is possible to prevent the illegal use and distribution of programs and individual files.

Using DRM, you will have control over the level of access. If necessary, you will be able to change or revoke access rights.

Cloud storage technologies in United States and Canada

As part of software development and sales, cloud technologies have started to be actively used. It is an opportunity for you to place a program or application in a secure cloud.

Such technologies allow you to set different access levels and limit the ability to download and copy. Modern cloud storage has several features. Among them are data access monitoring, tracking information, downloading statistics, etc.

To protect intellectual property, developers need to take a comprehensive approach to the security of their products. And ordinary users should understand that using unlicensed software entails stealing personal information.

That's why everyone should install real-time protection and take a comprehensive approach to security. It is unlikely that an ordinary Windows Defender can cope with such tasks. It would be best if you had licensed antivirus software, an operating system from an official vendor, and a set of measures to create a security shield. It is the only way you will be able to withstand all modern threats.

Encryption and passwords in United States and Canada

Encryption and passwords can be an auxiliary defense tool. For example, you can set a strong passcode on a separate archived file. You can use a one-time complex password when sending it to the customer. However, no one prevents the customer from passing this code to another person. As a result, the third party actually gets the program for free.

A similar tool is an encryption program. It converts data into an unreadable format. To gain access, you need a unique combination. With one-time keys, unauthorized copying can be prevented.

But these two methods are more suitable for protecting files. If you need to block unauthorized access to applications, using the methods and tools discussed above is better.

Importance of updates and employee training

Most often, developers and authors of various software and mobile applications are teams of specialists. Each can potentially lead to data being stolen, hacked, and illegally copied.

Therefore, the manager or the person responsible for security must train employees, advise them, and help them create an effective line of defense against cybercriminals and intruders. A collective approach to security will help avoid data leakage and teach each employee to take a responsible approach to intellectual property protection.

In addition, it is crucial to update your security systems promptly. Always use the most current solutions, update antivirus programs, and work with the best antivirus software and instruments that protect your intellectual property.

With the right solutions, you can prevent illegal copying and avoid computer hacking and data theft. Don't rely on just one method. Be sure to use a combined approach. It will help you significantly improve your overall level of security.

The Keyonline24 team is ready to offer you licensed software, original operating systems, and genuine keys for cybersecurity solutions. After all, the safety and security of your entire system largely depend on what software you work with. Rest assured that Keyonline24 has the lowest prices and delivery will take only 5-20 minutes! We are waiting for you in our store!