Malwarebytes gives pirates a free pass as company migrates to new licensing system

[Katzenfreund]

June 30, 2015

Malwarebytes, best known for its Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) software, announced on Sunday that anyone sporting counterfeit codes for MBAM will soon receive legitimate keys in their place. As part of its Amnesty program, Malwarebytes aims to protect its Anti-Malware Premium customers “who have been inconvenienced by piracy or abuse."

The process of receiving a replacement code will require users to open up the program and select one of two options regarding the origin of the fabricated key. Users who select "I'm not sure where I got my key, I downloaded it from the Internet" will be supplied with an authentic 12-month subscription to MBAM Premium while those who choose "I purchased my key" will be appointed a replacement key to the same software tier that the original code granted.

Previously deemed illegitimate keys will fail to work "after a period of time", so users of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium should claim their new codes as soon as possible. Keep in mind that this program extends to lawful customers of Malwarebytes products, so even if you genuinely subscribed to the software, you'll still be required to reset your key in order to make use of it.

Enjoy the free software while it lasts, pirates.

http://it.slashdot.org/story/15/06/29/1855234/malwarebytes-offers-pirates-its-premium-antimalware-product-for-free

 

[NavyRet]

Yeah, I got mine last week. It was pretty much automatic. I wanted to do a scan and when I clicked on Scan Now (or whatever it says), I was given the choices outlined above. It was almost instantaneous and I had a new key and was legal. :lotpot:

 

[Katzenfreund]

Funnily, my case didn't go quite like that but the result seems the same – so far at least.

I was presented the two choices with the piratical one already ticked. I changed the tick to the legit one hoping to fool them. But on ticking “next”, the Real-Time Protection was disabled, saying it's only for premium users. So I ticked “Fix the problem” or something to that effect, and it worked.

I didn't receive a new key to enter, but checking my account, there's a new key in place with lifetime license. This morning it's still working.

So my advice to members is, don't admit your key is illegit, do what I did above.

Pirate Cat acts innocent