So I am one of those who read threads here and I must say I have the upmost respect for anyone who can get around the software because it is always decent software and in fact only a very small portion of people actually know about it, its a good promotional thing as others like myself end up buying the software too..

but if these developers see all your modified plugins, isn't there a danger? how do you prevent the intrusion?

 

You would install a firewall,that stops all apps and the give permission if needed or wanted. Since you can only install AA with the app, there is no choice but to give them permission when installing legit. Evil developers have been known to scan things they have no business with and one even deleted files or shut down your PC (Tone2 who also got called out by R2R). Most of the time the invalidate your illegal licence.
You would always need to block your daw as otherwise a plugin can phone home through your daw as it is running inside of it.
On windows I use tinywall with great succes.

 

stick to r2r and read the nfo, and sometimes edit your hostfile.
if you are super paranoid get yourself voodooshield

 

Firewall everything to be sure. If you need help, choose Malwarebytes Windows Firewall Control

 

Maybe install everything on a second drive and disconnect it before installing legit plus move the "Program Files" folder, or if you're advanced enough, make a batch file to automate everything, i'm a bit out of my league here but i'm pretty sure someone somewhere could come up with a good solution?

 

What about Mac, I see nothing yet but isn't this soon ?

 

I use one click firewall, adds option on right click context menu to block applications from internet. In some cases like bitwig theres somekinda pluginx64 exe with the main exe that i also blocked

I usually block all kinds of applications regardless if they are legit or not

 

AFAIK, Tone 2 were (or still are? ) the only ones who tracked for warez from other devs too. All other devs are just tracking their own files.

How I prevent:
- choose off-line activation whenever possible,
- block all audio applications in the firewall,
- don't mix legit and less legit licences form one and the same dev

But you can mix legit and key'd versions of PA plugins, if you choose internal and external drives for the licences.

 

I know they can see me, I wish I could see them while they are laughing on how they made up the name! "Acqua" which means water in italian.
the word describes the effect their plugs have on music.

 

what's the difference between AA Fanboy and Hater
Nothing
They tell you all about it, if you asked for it or not

 

Simplewall for windows. Perfect for that purpose and free.

 

Install LuLu or LittleSnitch, and/or edit your hosts file

 

i dont know, maybe not hype them and not using them?

 

I like it

 

if you want more granular controll + still free
go with:

its just a better interface for the windows firewall, very good!

 

Hi , what about UAD spark native plugs, there are people selling a ilok kit online via Russia, maybe even out around already, , can they run side by side with legit ilok account or is that one a scam?

 

Sorry, .

 

NO wall. NO internet, no A/V, no win update, no store, etc, etc, on machine's used for production. Running warez? Then this goes tenfold. All the junk that makes dealing with the internet "safe" and "private" takes up valuable resources in real time. This can severely limit (especially if your machines are running close to capacity) your machines' ability to focus on doing your production work. As well, the OP brings up a good point, by losing the net connection on your production machines there's no worries about anyone (or thing) "seeing" what you're running or warezed stuff getting nuked or trying to phone home.... Use a beater machine that you have secured to the hilt for doing your internet access stuff. makes sense to me, been doing it successfully for years...

 

Last edited: Nov 28, 2023

Problem is more and more developers are on the track of making his stuff only accesible through user and password conection to server response, so finally you have to put internet to your machine, and protect it, or use stuff without the need for conection, then your options are limited. The good point of cutting the wire about security, is also gold in terms of distractions!

 

And then the fun begins! these developers are first, added to my "never ever buy anything from" blacklist book and second, theyre added to the target extra super duper specially for cracking and offline use