[hjkl0]

By pirating, you mean running modified binaries from unknown sources? Morals aside, how is that safe, secure, or even convenient?

[npteljes]

I agree with you, but on a practical level, private trackers are moderated, and so, reasonably safe and secure. Convenience is case by case. Often, the official stuff puts up such a fuss that the pirated copy is more convenient to use.

[grishka]

I've been doing it all my life. I've literally never paid for a software license, I don't know any better. In general, I usually download from reputable sources. Haven't had any problems so far.

[iLoveOncall]

> Haven't had any problems so far.

That you know of. For all you know you could be infected and part of a botnet. Viruses don't open a big popup saying "haha you've been hacked!".

This line of thinking is extremely common and absolutely nonsensical. The point of a virus is to remain undetected.

[Lammy]

I'll take my chances. Adobe have proven they want to spy on me 100% of the time and shake me down for as much cash as possible. Pirates ostensibly have to compete on the quality of the product they offer.

[realusername]

We're in a world where the legal solution isn't exactly safe, secure nor convenient either

[nottorp]

> or even convenient

Back before Steam, when I bought a game on disc I downloaded the no-cd crack before opening the box to install it...

[anal_reactor]

>be me

>"Google wants to know your location"

>fuck off you already know it anyway

>"Do you want to allow this app from an unknown publisher to make changes to your device? PiratedGameFromRussianTorrents.exe"

>ok

The biggest problem with piracy is the entry barrier. You need to know what sites are safe, what aren't. Also, Google hides results from torrent sites, so yeah, it's kind of an underground club. If you're a newbie you're going to get ransomware, if you know the basics it's trivial. Piracy isn't as popular as 10 years ago, but it's still there, mostly powered by poor countries.

[immibis]

No, from known sources.