A Software Pirate's Glossary
abandonwarez
older software distributed, mostly online, for free.
Examples of abandonwarez might include Windows 3.11. Abandonwarez sites are
rarely shut down because software manufacturers are not as concerned when
old versions of their software is pirated.
appz
pirated software applications that are not games.
BBS
Bulletin Board Systems, once the most popular means to go
on-line, are accessible by modem. BBS were the first electronic means to
distribute pirated software.
CD-burner
(sometimes just called, "burner"), a
device that allows for copying a commercial CD-ROM onto
a blank CD-R (writeable CD). Often used by pirates to make counterfeit
software.
crackz
programs used to "crack" the copy protection scheme
on a commercial software program. A crack can bypass the copy protection
check on a software package, or it can make a demo version of a program
into the full version.
filez
Files.
FTP
File Transfer Protocol allows for one computer to act as the
server, and multiple clients to either upload or download files to it. Many
warez ftp servers require a client to upload some amount of data before
downloading. For example, a 3-for-1 server allows the client to download
3 megabytes of data (pirated programs) for every 1 megabyte of data the
client uploads.
full ver
Full (ie. retail) version of software.
hex
Derived from "hexadecimal," refers to anything related to disassembling
a commercial software program for the purposes of cracking it.
IRC
real-time Internet text-based chat system often used by software
pirates to contact each other to arrange warez transfer.
leech
used to describe someone who downloads illegal software
but does not upload any.
ring
(sometimes known as webring)
an online community of pirates who trade illegal
software and exchange tips on where to find warez. An example of a ring
is the Warez Exchange &
Inner Ring Webring.
serialz
serial numbers of software programs. Pirates trade serialz
online in order to be able to install software, or to obtain technical
support.
warez
general term used to describe pirated software.