Software Deletes Files to Defend Against Piracy

teamhasnoi writes "Back in 2004, we discussed a program that deleted your home directory on entry of a pirated serial number. Now, a new developer is using the same method to protect his software, aptly named Display Eater. In the developers's own words, 'There exist several illegal cd-keys that you can use to unlock the demo program. If Display Eater detects that you are using these, it will erase something. I don't know if this is going to become Display Eater policy. If this level of piracy continues, development will stop.'"

convinced me

[gEvil (beta)]

Wow. He's certainly convinced me to give his software a try...

No, development will stop as police take computers

[AHumbleOpinion]

"There exist several illegal cd-keys that you can use to unlock the demo program. If Display Eater detects that you are using these, it will erase something ... If this level of piracy continues, development will stop."

Uh, no. Development will stop as the police collect your computers as evidence that you are the developer and distributor of software that intentionally erases files without user permission.

Re:Aren't there laws against this?

[Ariastis]

Display Eater has found that your ACDSee copy is illegal. Deleting C:\Pr0n\*.* Nooooooooooooooooooooooo....

MOD PARENT UP, but

[infestedsenses]

...on a side note, Bush has taken care of that [theonion.com].

;)

How to do this legally

[Henry V .009]

As I'm sure that the Slashdoters here aren't pirates worrying about getting punished for their piracy (they're law-abiding Slashdoters!), I think we should help this developer protect his weeks and months of labor legally. And here's how he should do it:

Attention Users! Version 2099.0999 X of my software now comes with a special new feature! File deletion! To enable this great new feature, please find a pirated software key on the web and enter it. Any files that you have in "C:\Documents and Settings" will be deleted.

FAQ for possible problems using this great new feature:

• Some of my personal files aren't in "C:\Documents and Settings" and weren't deleted! -- At this time any files not in the "Documents and Settings" folder must be deleted by the user manually. We are exploring a great new "Format Drive C:" function for a future release.
• But I have a tape backup of all my files! -- The best solution that our users have found for tape backups is fire. Be safe and go for your entire house just in case you've mislaid one or two tapes. Remember to save your pets! They aren't genetically related to you and can't pass on "pirate-genes."
• I used a pirated key, but your software didn't delete by files! -- We apologize. Please forward us the offending keys and we will include them in the next release. However, you can still delete your files manually. Be sure to use shift-delete! Also see the above instructions concerning fire.

Mac OSX

[Anonymous Coward]

This is why I use Windows. It's far too easy for malware to get onto a Mac and start deleting user files. PCs got over the delete random files / reformat phase of malware years ago. There's far more money to be made by keeping the machine alive.

Vigilante justice

[goombah99]

Considering that in our legal systems two wrongs don't make a right vigilante justice like this should be punished.

Yeah, let's form a vigilante posse and punish him!

Re:Well, that sure backfired

[Quinn_Inuit]

Nah, I think this will work pretty well at getting people to using pirated copies of his software. In fact, no one will be using any copies of his software at all.

Hmmm...he seems to have developed the ultimate form of copy protection. Maybe the **AAs will give him a medal or something.

Re:Aren't there laws against this?

[Hamoohead]

In Soviet Russia, files delete YOU!

Re:Aren't there laws against this?

[ultranova]

or to be an actor in a "snuff film."

I knew it was a good idea to read Slashdot one last time before leaving for work !

Re:Aren't there laws against this?

[androidkami]

> Flamebait? Odd "Nazi" comment aside, this is broadly sound.

Yeah, that's just not reich.