#How To Save From Hacking

[forensicfield]

How to Protect Your Computer from Unauthorized Access?

Today, we live our lives online and on gadgets that are connected to the internet. We use the internet to do research, shop, bank, do assignments, play games, and connect with loved ones through social media. Because of this, our gadgets are filled with a

Continue reading How to Protect Your Computer from Unauthorized Access?

[s0fter-sin]

one of my favourite aspects of supernatural that you very rarely see in paranormal shows is that sam and dean are already versed in the world they live in. there’s no sudden discovery of ghosts and demons and now they have to learn about them along with the audience; they are born into it and already know all about it. it allows the audience to follow their personal story instead of also trying to figure out this new world and its rules

the first season is full of knowledge we never see them learn; “w*ndigoes are in the minnesota woods or- or northern michigan. i’ve never even heard of one this far west.” […] “great. well then this [his gun] is useless.” (1x02), “you don’t break a curse. you get the hell out of its way.” (1x08), d: “it’s a god. a pagan god, anyway.” […] “the annual cycle of its killings? and the fact that the victims are always a man and a woman. like some kind of fertility right.” […] s: “the last meal. given to sacrificial victims. d: “yeah, i’m thinking a ritual sacrifice to appease some pagan god.” (1x11)

almost every episode in the first season is a monster they’ve faced before that they then explain to the audience in a way that should feel patronising; like it’s the same speech given over and over again but instead, the audience almost feels included in the knowledge. it’s stated with such an innate confidence and comfort in said knowledge that it feels like we already knew it too; “spirits and demons don't have to unlock doors. if they want inside, they just go through the walls.” […] “the claws, the speed that it moves; could be a skinwalker, maybe a black dog.” (1x02), “it's biblical numerology. you know noah's ark, it rained for forty days. the number means death.” (1x04), “no no no, not the reaper, a reaper. there's reaper lore in pretty much every culture on earth, it goes by 100 different names.” […] “you said it yourself that the clock stopped, right? reapers stop time. and you can only see 'em when they're coming at you which is why i could see it and you couldn't.” (1x12)

they already know and, at least in the first season, already have what they need to kill whatever they’re hunting; already know to salt and burn bones for spirits, fire for a w*ndigo, exorcisms for demons, a silver bullet to the heart for shapeshifters. there’s only three times in the entire first season that they run into something new to them; 1x14 when sam gets his first vision that leads him to another psychic, 1x16 when dean calls caleb for help on the sigil he put together and he tells him about daevas, and 1x20 when they find out vampires are real- and they only don’t know that bc john thought they were hunted to extinction and not worth mentioning

(there’s also technically two half instances if you count one of them knowing something the other doesn’t - sam figuring out the tulpa in 1x17 and dean already knowing about the shtriga in 1x18 - but those still rely on sam and dean having prior knowledge)

even when they’re uncertain about facing something, it’s not bc they don’t know what it is; it’s precisely bc they know what it is and acknowledge that it’ll be a difficult hunt (“i don't know, man. this isn't our normal gig. i mean, demons, they don't want anything, just death and destruction for its own sake. this is big. and i wish dad was here.” 1x04)

so much of the tension in paranormal shows typically comes from the main character(s) not knowing what is happening to them/the people around them and having to find out how to resolve it. supernatural is unique in that it operates more like a police procedural. the tension comes from solving the clues and identifying patterns to figure out who (what) the killer is and intercepting before they can take another victim

it’s such a different tone to go for when compared to other shows that came both before, during, and after its run. it sets sam and dean on even footing with each other since they both have the same knowledge going in, and it puts them in a place of authority usually reserved for an outside character

the shows i compare spn to most is charmed, buffy and teen wolf; every main character in those shows are brought into the paranormal world knowing nothing, putting them on the same level as the audience, and they have their mc interact with others already knowledgeable about that world in order to overcome their problem/monster of the week. the audience organically learns about this new world as the characters learn about it. it’s a sound writing strategy that prevents “as we already know”-style exposition but something that complicates it is if your world building isn’t unique or intriguing enough, this slow introduction can become boring

we’ve seen shows like these before; sitting through the same tropes of characters learning to use their powers, struggling with no longer feeling normal/relating to the regular world around them, and not knowing how much they can trust the people already involved in this new world gets repetitive. all three shows eventually reach the same level of comfort with their new world that spn starts with but if the characters aren’t enough to draw you in, you can end up dropping it before they reach that point (and often, before the overarching plot can really kick in and evolve the show beyond the villain of the week format)

it’s the superhero origin movie in tv format; dragged out and overplayed. dropping the audience into an established world of course comes with its own problems but you also have the benefit of pre-existing established character dynamics that let the audience slot in like they’ve always been there instead of just getting to know all the characters while the characters also get to know each other

sam and dean already knowing about the supernatural lets the audience immediately get to the core of the story; the conflict between sam and dean, the search for their father, and the mystery of what killed their mother

[bonjourxrenae]

I love the "Ryou pining for an oblivious Yugi" brand of Heartshipping a lot, but I think it’s time for me to write my personal favorite spin:

"Space cadet Ryou beginning to realize he likes Yugi and is unsure of how to proceed with those feelings, while Yugi has been EMBARRASSINGLY PINING FOR HIM EVER SINCE HE TRANSFERRED IN AND HAS BEEN DESPERATELY WAITING FOR HIM TO NOTICE"

[robotsafari]

redrawing my favorite gba chain of memories scenes with my own interpretations part 1(?):

“You’re thinking about me… You’re afraid of the darkness I command.” (NOT SHIP)

[squireofgeekdom]

Oh no. Don't let me start plotting out a Leverage Redemption / Moon Knight crossover. I don't need more wips. Help.

[lilliemadoka]

girlfriend reveal

[chompe-diem]

ok i've listened to the latest ep now and u cannot tell me albin and sol are not qpr. sorry but they are bonded 4 lyfe like that. we already knew this but now it's finally canon. Do Not Ask Caldwell Or Murph but it's canon. i'm not crazy-

[orphiicheartd]

Bruh, I am prolly slow on the uptake, but I'm realizing that, considering their magic is heavily influenced by imagination, it's no WONDER Kalim's magic, especially his defensive magic, is so weak.

Because he's always had everything handed to him or done for him by others, especially Jamil, of course his imagination would never compare. Bc he's never HAD to long for anything, never had to think of anything for himself besides what he was told/given, outside certain circumstances!

Is it a wonder he was able to manifest his magic at an age when Jamil was attending another school away from him? When Kalim himself WANTED to and tried so HARD at something, likely for the first time in his life, to manifest his magic to be JUST LIKE Jamil?

Tbh, the best thing that ever happened to Kalim was not really Jamil. Bc incidentally, the way they were raised, it only served to limit Kalim both in life experiences and magic, having Jamil do everything for Kalim. He never needed to work on honing his magic when Jamil could take care of potions, when Jamil could defend him and take the brunt of the grunt work.

Thus, the best possible thing to have happened to Kalim really having to make his own friends outside of him at Night Raven. Like when he used Oasis Maker to entertain Crowley with excellent control and skill ( likely something he learned to do for shows with the Pop Music Club, I bet! ). Or how when he had to make a party without Jamil's help, Ruggie let him learn how to cook with only using magic and the food STILL turned out to be a hit despite it being Kalim's first shot at it! Or how he was able to surprise Jamil by making the river to bring Octavinelle, himself and Yuu'n Grim back to Scarabia after the boy'd dismissed his Signature Spell as useless.

[villagerlavis]

the hoops... THE HOOPS to get an acnl qr pattern into acnh without nintendo switch online 😩

[1o1percentmilk]

i actually think hatori is more of an electrical/hardware engineer than an informatics/information technology/software engineering person

[fandomsandfairytales]

YESSSS THIS CAME UP ON MY DASH AGAIN

This is SO COOL THANK YOU

Update: A couple things I discovered in checking out the code/script—

Two people left feedback 2 and 3 weeks ago (that is, 2-3 weeks before 5/2/24) saying the script wasn't working, even with deleting and reinstalling it. So I'm going to try it, but it may not be usable, we'll see!

A user figured out that there's a bug where if you're posting or editing a fic of your own, the script will add some random text to the bottom of the fic text entry box. However! There is a fix—another user put detailed instructions on what to change in the code so that that bug no longer happens: check out that fix here.

Update #2: The script works for me, yay!!!

It's super helpful to be able to just...take notes either as I read or when going back and skimming through. Also, it tells me how many characters I've used up in the box, so I don't have to make one whole comment and then divide it up into chunks, which is often what I end up doing XD I've used it for comments on one or two fics so far, and I love it.

In the spirit of encouraging people to comment on fanfics while also making it easier to do so, I feel obliged to share a browser extension for ao3 that has quite literally revolutionized the comment game for me.

I present to you: the floating ao3 comment box!

From what I've seen, a big problem for many people is that once you reach the comments at the bottom of a fic, your memory of it miraculously disappears. Anything you wanted to say is stuck ten paragraphs ago, and you barely remember what you thought while reading. This fixes that!

I'll give a little explanation on the features and how it works, but if you want to skip all that, here's the link.

The extension is visible as a small blue box in the upper left corner.

(Side note: The green colouring is not from the extension, that's me.)

If you click on it, you open a comment box window at the bottom of your screen but not at the bottom of the fic. I opened my own fic for demonstrative purposes.

The website also gives explanations on how exactly it functions, but I'll summarize regardless.

insert selection -> if you highlight a sentence in the fic it will be added in italics to the comment box

add to comment box -> once you're done writing your comment, you click this button and the entire thing will automatically copied to the ao3 comment box

delete -> self explanatory

on mulitchapter fics, you will be given the option to either add the comment to just the current chapter or the entire fic

The best part? You can simply close the window the same way you opened it and your progress will automatically be saved. So you can open it, comment on a paragraph, and then close it and keep reading without having the box in your face.

Comments are what keep writers going, and as both a writer and a reader, I think it's such an easy way of showing support and enthusiasm.

[smartphonehacks]

How to Protect Your Phone from Hackers: A Simple Guide to Securing Your Device

In today’s digital world, your phone is more than just a device for making calls. It stores photos, contacts, passwords, emails, and even bank account details.

So, what happens if your phone is hacked?

Or worse, what if it's lost or stolen?

If you’re asking questions like,

"How do I secure my phone from hackers?" or "How can I stop my phone from being hacked?",

you’re in the right place.

Maybe you've had this thought before:

You’re worried about using public Wi-Fi: You want to browse or check your emails, but you’re unsure if it’s safe to use the Wi-Fi in a café or airport.

You’re unsure about app permissions: You download apps, but some ask for more permissions than they need. You think, “Why does a simple game need access to my contacts or camera?”

You hear about hacks but don’t know how to protect yourself: Every day there’s news of cyber-attacks and stolen data, but what can you do to ensure your phone doesn’t become the next target?

If these worries sound familiar, don’t stress. This guide will show you how to protect your phone from hackers with easy steps that even someone with little tech knowledge can follow. Ready to get started?

1. Use Strong Passwords to Protect Your Phone

One of the easiest and most effective ways to secure your phone is by locking it with a strong password.

Instead of using simple PINs like “1234” or “0000,” set a more complex password. A six-digit or alphanumeric password is much harder for hackers to guess.

Many phones today offer more advanced options like face recognition or fingerprint scanning. These add an extra layer of security and are harder to bypass than simple passcodes.

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication is like an extra lock on your front door. Even if someone has your password, they can’t access your account without the second factor.

Enable 2FA on your accounts that support it, like email, banking, and social media apps. Usually, 2FA works by sending you a unique code via text or through an authentication app.

This is especially helpful because even if your password gets leaked, the hacker would still need the second code to access your information.

3. Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Tasks

Public Wi-Fi networks, like those at cafes or airports, may seem convenient, but they can be a hacker’s playground.

When you’re on public Wi-Fi, your phone’s data is unprotected, and hackers can intercept your information. To avoid this, always use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN encrypts your connection and makes it harder for hackers to track your online activity.

If you can, avoid logging into sensitive accounts, like online banking or email, while using public Wi-Fi. A VPN makes it safer, but it’s best to keep it minimal.

4. Be Careful Where You Download Apps From

Not all apps are created equally. Some apps can be malicious, stealing your data and infecting your phone with malware.

Stick to downloading apps from official app stores like the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. These stores perform checks to ensure apps are safe.

Always check app reviews and ratings. If an app has lots of negative reviews or users reporting issues, it’s better to avoid it.

Is Your Phone Acting Strange? It could be damaged or hacked! 👉 Get Expert Mobile Repair and Protection at CellSmash - London’s Trusted Mobile Repair Shop!

5. Review App Permissions Regularly

Apps often ask for permissions to access your camera, contacts, location, and more. Sometimes, they ask for more than they need.

Before granting access to these features, think about why the app needs them. For example, why would a simple weather app need access to your contacts? If an app doesn’t need certain permissions, deny them.

Regularly review app permissions in your phone’s settings. This will help you keep track of which apps have access to what.

6. Keep Your Phone Updated

You’ve probably heard it before: software updates matter. Many updates include important security patches that protect your phone from new threats.

Install updates as soon as they become available. These updates might seem annoying or time-consuming, but they often fix vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.

Set your phone to update apps automatically so you never miss an important security patch.

7. Back Up Your Data

In case your phone is lost or hacked, you don’t want to lose all your important data. Regular backups are a simple way to protect your photos, contacts, and more.

Both iOS and Android have built-in cloud backup options. If your phone is lost or stolen, you can easily restore your data on a new device.

Backing up also ensures you won’t lose everything if your phone ever gets hacked. You can safely erase your phone and recover your files from the cloud.

8. Use Anti-Malware Software

Even if you’re careful with app downloads and updates, malware can still sneak in. This is where anti-malware software can help protect your phone.

Anti-malware apps scan for suspicious files and help remove any malware that might be lurking on your phone. Popular apps like McAfee, Norton, and Avast offer extra layers of protection.

Set up regular scans to check for malware, ensuring your phone stays secure.

9. Enable Remote Lock and Wipe Features

It’s a worst-case scenario: your phone is stolen, and you panic. But don’t worry—there are ways to protect your data remotely.

Both iPhones and Android phones have features that allow you to remotely lock your phone or wipe its data if it's lost or stolen.

For iPhones, use Find My iPhone to track or lock your device. Android users can use Find My Device. Both services allow you to erase your personal data, so even if your phone ends up in the wrong hands, your information is safe.

10. Avoid Phishing Scams and Suspicious Links

Hackers often try to trick you into revealing your personal information through phishing. This usually happens through emails or text messages with suspicious links.

Be careful before clicking on any link, even if it looks like it came from a trusted source. Always verify the sender before clicking.

Avoid sharing sensitive information over email or text unless you're sure it’s legitimate.

Conclusion: Stay One Step Ahead of Hackers

Protecting your phone from hackers doesn’t need to be complicated. By following these simple steps, you can ensure your data stays safe and secure. Strong passwords, regular updates, VPN use, and careful app permissions are all crucial in keeping hackers at bay.

Now that you know how to protect your phone from hackers, it’s time to take action. With these easy-to-follow tips, you’ll feel confident knowing that your phone and personal data are secure. Share this guide with your family and friends, so they can keep their phones safe too!

[reraen]

Watched 'the pokemon inside my heart' and now I got hella feels

[op1umeyes]

Firefighter!Simon who meets you when your apartment goes up in flames, breaking down the crumbling excuse of a door to make sure that everyone had been evacuated from the building. Gaz was having a laugh about how someone ‘could sleep through that shit’ as Simon had to wake up this poor girl who just wanted to sleep after her stressful day. Firefighter!Simon who answers all your questions with a gruff tone, navigating through the burning building. On one hand, he’s glad you aren’t screaming and crying about the building but on the other hand he wasn’t used to people asking him questions. You ask him things like his favorite color, his favorite food, how many times he had punched people in the face, and about his opinion on everything under the sun. He was on his seventh ‘you need to stop talkin’, ma’am, yer wastin’ air’ when you started coughing.

When you got to the ambulance, Firefighter!Simon didn’t say no when you asked him to go with you to the hospital. Johnny raised an eyebrow at Simon as he maneauvered his hulking body onto the seat next to you. For some unknown reason, Firefighter!Simon didn’t want you- nosy and kind and pretty you- to be hacking up a lung by yourself in the presence of someone like Johnny. And when your breathing started slowing and you weren’t looking around with bright eyes, Simon let you slide your hand into his gloved one.

Firefighter!Simon who, miraculously, has the night off. He decides to stay in the hospital until you wake: thinking it would be the gentlemanly thing to do to make sure your friends or family were made aware of the devastating fire. But when you finally blink awake and Simon asks all his questions, he’s stumped when you hit him with a ‘I don’t have any family’. Simon can’t stop himself from blurting out ‘You c’n stay with me. If you want.’

It takes a full day for you to be cleared before Firefighter!Simon picks you up from the hospital to take you to his (more than) humble abode. He finds that you quickly find happiness in the kitchen, but are more than disappointed to see he has barely anything to cook or bake with. “A damn shame” you say. With the remaining daylight hours, Simon finds himself driving you to a little supermarket in the corner of the city he hadn’t had the time to be explore. You insist on buying everything, telling Simon (a man who you really knew nothing about) it was the least you could do since he saved you from homelessness. And dying.

The rest of your first day in your temporary home with Firefighter!Simon is spent cooking. You whip up a marvelous pasta dish with hearty meatballs that almost make drool seep from Simon’s lips. He sits at the island watching you move around his space like you’d been there millions of times, an unfamiliar feeling blooming in his gut similar to fondness. Since picking you up some new clothes, Simon had learned a little bit more about you than Simon thought healthy. It was unfortunate enough for him to have been unable to get laid in over three months, but it was even more unfortunate that he had such a pretty bird in his apartment making him food and insisting on being near him when he sure as hell couldn’t make a move on her.

Firefighter!Simon who gets comfortable in his routine with you. On the days he’s not at work at assfuck 0200, he’s up making a simple breakfast for you and him before rhe day starts. You’ll eat and concerse a little awkwardly but that wont stop you from asking all about how he slept and if his buddies wanted more of those monster cookies you’d made to thank them for saving you and your fellow tenants. Simon had to relay many praises of your work in the kitchen, only ommiting the details and sly jokes about how ‘Simon’s girl’ was already taking care of the family. You’d go to work by bus or train- depending on how you felt- and then come home and make dinner or reheat leftovers. If Simon was at work, you’d laze on the couch in the main room and watch television and read. If Simon wasn’t at work, you’d bring the softest blanket from the room Simon had placed you in and watch a movie. More often than not, you would scoot closer and closer to Simon before falling asleep against him. When you woke up, you were in your bed- undoubtedly carried by Simon. Oh well. Its what friends do.

Firefighter!Simon who sees you as a friend. It’s basing your third week in his home and he feel comfortable around you. You’re good at reading his silence- the set of his shoulders and the future of his brow say enough- and he can’t be more thankful of that. For someone so new to his life, you seem to know exactly when to let a comfortable silence fall between you and when to start chattering about them things that come to your mind. But when you are the silent, short-tempered, and fatigued one, Simon is more than scared to get in your way. “Needa talk?” He offers, sliding you a cup of steaming coffee when you level a glare at the mug that had irritated you at such an inconveniently early hour. You heave a sigh and your head crumbles down into your arms. “I’m a mess, Si,” you tell him. Though your voice is muffled, Simon hears the shakiness in your throat trying to escape. He rounds the corner of island and places a large palm on your back in his attempt to comfort you. You are wrapping your arms around his neck and buring your face into the frail fabric of Simon’s shirt before he even knows what’s happening. And- as avoidant as Simon is to physical touch that doesn’t occur during work hours or when you fall asleep on him or when you slid your hand in his gloved hand during The Ambulance Ride- Simon didn’t mind your arms and warmth around him. When you started shaking in his arms was when Simon had to clench his jaw. It pained him that it pained you- and he didn’t even know what was ailing you! Simon tried to soothe himself with the knowledge that he was giving you the best comfort he could offer.

A day later you wake up to a crime scene in your underwear in the middle of the night so you decide to take a midnight trip to the convenience store a literal block away without letting Firefighter!Simon know. I mean, hey, he needs sleep and you were not going to wake him up to let him know you would be gone for a total of five minutes! But when you were on your way back to his house, you noticed someone following you. As you turned right for the third consecutive block, you finally fumbled for your phone.

Hearing you say ‘hey baby’ at 0146 had Firefighter!Simon’s head spinning. He was a little dazed because of the abrupt awakening but your casual greeting was wnough to jolt him awake. “Y/n? Whadda ya- what-?” He couldn’t finish his question before you interrupt him. “Hey do you think you could pick me up? I think I got a little lost.” Simon shoots out of bed, hitting the speaker button as he goes to slip a shirt on. “Where are you? Do I need a knife? Are you okay, dove?” He slips his shoes on and is out of the door faster than he is when he gets a work call. “Yeah, I’d bring the knife, babe,” you answer on the other line, more than loud enough for the man who is following you to hear. “I’m about four blocks away, by the Casey’s. You have my location.” Simon peels out of his driveway and immediately clicks on your profile to find the map with your smiling face. “Talk to me, y/n. I’m almost there.” Your breath is shaking on the other end and Simon doesn’t want you to be scared. “I think I could go for some Italian, Simon,” you say truthfully. “A minute away” Simon tells you, tires squealing as he turns down the streets you were hightailing down. Simon steps out of the truck after shifting it to park and the guy scatters. You’re running into Simon’s open arms before he could take a third step toward you. “I’m sorry,” you murmur “I kinda… started my period and didn’t want to wake you but then-“ Simon just shushes you, running a large hand down your back. “Let’s go home, love.” Simon scooped you up easily, tucking the obnoxiously loud crinkling plastic bag into your lap as he easily carried you to the passenger seat. Home. Yeah, Simon and his place had become your home.

[qardenofeden]

contrary to popular belief, osamu miya is not any better than his twin brother, especially when he’s with you.

this must be your fourth date this month, and it’s barely even two weeks in. so, in order to save money, osamu proposes a little life hack. a cheat code, if you will.

“baby, i got this ring at a pawn shop,” he takes a small, rusty ring from his pocket and presents it to you as he continues, “i’ll pretend i’m proposin’ to ya and all ya gotta say is yes, okay? free dinner, easy peasy.”

you sigh, holding back your laughter as you pinch your temple. “‘samu, that’s unethical.”

“whaaaat? no way, come on, baby. we’ll get to go on dates more often if we do this,” he says, and you know you shouldn’t say yes. you should be the angel in this scenario, guiding him towards the right path. the path of the just and the good.

...but then again, why would osamu date you if you weren’t at least a tiny bit similar in terms of thinking?

“fine.”

“hells yeah!” he celebrates, looking around and waiting for one of the staff members to enter your vicinity. luckily, it doesn’t take long until a blonde girl walks to the table next to yours and starts cleaning up the leftover dishes the previous party has left behind.

osamu looks at you, grinning before he gets off the chair and gets on his knee. you cup your mouth with both your hands, seemingly in shock; though in reality, you’re doing it to prevent yourself from laughing like a madman.

“my sweet, beautiful, gorgeous girlfriend. i’ve loved you since i’ve known you, and i’ll love you for as long as i do. will ya marry me?”

and the restaurants’ guests just eat. it. up. the crowd cheers, much like how they do in his games, and they chant “yes, yes, yes!”

“yes!” you burst out in laughter, jolting out of your seat and hugging him. he lifts you up slightly before putting you back to the ground and kissing you, lips soft and at your mercy.

osamu puts a ring on your finger as the crowd yells and howls, and later that night, the manager approaches the two of you and tells you not to worry about the bill.

atsumu’s been rubbing off on your boyfriend too much.

and so this becomes a ritual, though you’re both careful not to overuse it. you reserve it for anniversaries and small celebrations, like his team winning a big tournament or you getting a high score from a grumpy professor.

and though it doesn’t always work, you guys at least get a little dessert on the house.

until one day, when you’re a high end, fancy restaurant. you’re wearing a silk, red dress with so much jewelry, you’re practically shining. the chandelier lights reflect off of his rolex watch, and you both have just finished eating.

“this place is really good, osamu. we should come here more often.” you take a sip of the wine, drinking in delight.

“yeah... hey babe, what’s that?” he points behind you and you turn immediately in curiosity.

“...huh? ‘samu, i don’t see anything,” you turn back around to face him, but lo and behold, osamu miya is down on one knee.

your eyes look around in shock, clearly taken aback. “wha— babe, we didn’t plan this?!”

“i know,” he chuckles, pulling out a ring similar to the one he bought at the pawn shop, except brighter, cleaner. with more diamonds than you could ever even imagine. “my love, i’ve loved you since i’ve known you, and i’ll love you for as long as i do. will ya marry me?”

sure is a good thing osamu’s got practice.

@deardoelle mwah

[foone]

So for a lot of Big Games, they do secondary piracy protection. The idea is that you know your main copy protection will be broken quickly, but you try to slow down the hackers so that you'll get some time when there isn't a cracked version out there, and you make people distrustful of possible partial cracks.

For example, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for PC uses Securom (a reusable DRM system applied to a lot of games in the 2000s-2010s) as it's primary copy protection, but there's a second layer of protection that doesn't directly check if your copy is pirated, it checks that the first layer of protection is still active.

So if you've hacked out the Securom, the game will let you play it, but it intentionally introduces bugs. It glitches out the weather, it disables the spawning of nearly every NPC, it breaks some weapons, garages, radar, and save games.

The idea being that the hackers trying to make a cracked version of the game would have to spend a lot of time tracking down the dozens of places the code was booby-trapped before they could release a working crack, or risk releasing something broken and unplayable.

That'd delay the pirated version's availability by weeks or months, during which the legit version would be the only one available. That's when sales are most important, right after release, anyway!

So how long did all their work on these secondary anti-piracy measures delay the release of the fully-cracked, pirate version?

Well, the official PC release came out on May 12th, 2003, and the pirated version hit the internet on...

May 9th, 2003. Negative 4 days. The pirates managed to get a leaked copy (probably from a magazine reviewer) and hacked it completely before the game was even officially released.

(The secondary protection was never activated: the crack simply lied to the secondary protection and told it securom was still active)

This video goes into detail about the various anti-piracy methods the game uses: