Recently downloaded application from a well known retail platform I trust and have been satisfied customer for many years. Had to request a refund, which has been granted, as it is not working as specified.
The vendor states it is "pre activated" software but, also, it cannot be updated which now strikes me as odd.
Is "pre activated" software safe and legit?
Any help would be appreciated.
iMac 27″, macOS 13.1
Frankfiz wrote:
Barney there is no secrecy but on the last occasion I mention Amazon the post was removed for some reason. The software is DXO Nik 5 package. The vendor is Software Heaven in the UK but DXO inform me that their software is only sold directly and not through a third party.
“For some reason”
To clarify, “the reason” would be posting links to such blatantly illegal websites. I’m not saying you did this on purpose. But if you have ever purchased anything from sources like that, or similar, then you should really review your criteria for “legitimate” vendors. There is absolutely nothing about that outfit that is legitimate.
But I’m glad you posted this. I often get exasperated by my fellow helpers here on the forums when they don’t understand how people manage to get their computers all jacked up and get scammed so much. People just don’t know.
Here is what you didn’t seem to understand. Laws don’t exist. They are merely tools for maintaining socio-economic conditions. They don’t protect anyone and weren’t ever meant to do so. There is so much on the internet that is simply scams and rip-offs. I suffer from this social conditioning just like you do. I want to say they are “criminal”, but I now realize that this word simply has no meaning on the internet. That’s what I want you to understand.
And it doesn’t end here. Just because you see something for sale on Amazon doesn’t mean it is honest, legitimate, legal, etc. “How could they get away with that?”, you ask. More’s the pity. Facebook is even worse. What you see on the internet simply isn’t true.
I may need to update my User Tip: How to spot fake apps, junk apps, scam ap… - Apple Community
Here are some additions:
1) Look for a web site for the company. This should be a stand-alone web site using the company’s own name, like “Apple.com”, “microsoft.com”, or “Adobe.com”. If the only page you can find is on Facebook or Google, then it’s a scam.
2) Look for contact information using the same company-branded e-mail address. If you want to e-mail the CEO of Apple, you send an e-mail to tcook@apple.com. He probably won’t answer, but the important thing is that you know it is legitimate because it ends in “@apple.com”. If it ended in “@hotmail.com”, then you would know it is fake.
I strongly suggest that you review the software that you’ve installed so far. It sounds like you could have been scammed before. I’ve only mentioned things here that are obvious frauds. There is a whole different category of scams run by legitimate companies.
Frankfiz wrote:
Barney there is no secrecy but on the last occasion I mention Amazon the post was removed for some reason. The software is DXO Nik 5 package. The vendor is Software Heaven in the UK but DXO inform me that their software is only sold directly and not through a third party.
“For some reason”
To clarify, “the reason” would be posting links to such blatantly illegal websites. I’m not saying you did this on purpose. But if you have ever purchased anything from sources like that, or similar, then you should really review your criteria for “legitimate” vendors. There is absolutely nothing about that outfit that is legitimate.
But I’m glad you posted this. I often get exasperated by my fellow helpers here on the forums when they don’t understand how people manage to get their computers all jacked up and get scammed so much. People just don’t know.
Here is what you didn’t seem to understand. Laws don’t exist. They are merely tools for maintaining socio-economic conditions. They don’t protect anyone and weren’t ever meant to do so. There is so much on the internet that is simply scams and rip-offs. I suffer from this social conditioning just like you do. I want to say they are “criminal”, but I now realize that this word simply has no meaning on the internet. That’s what I want you to understand.
And it doesn’t end here. Just because you see something for sale on Amazon doesn’t mean it is honest, legitimate, legal, etc. “How could they get away with that?”, you ask. More’s the pity. Facebook is even worse. What you see on the internet simply isn’t true.
I may need to update my User Tip: How to spot fake apps, junk apps, scam ap… - Apple Community
Here are some additions:
1) Look for a web site for the company. This should be a stand-alone web site using the company’s own name, like “Apple.com”, “microsoft.com”, or “Adobe.com”. If the only page you can find is on Facebook or Google, then it’s a scam.
2) Look for contact information using the same company-branded e-mail address. If you want to e-mail the CEO of Apple, you send an e-mail to tcook@apple.com. He probably won’t answer, but the important thing is that you know it is legitimate because it ends in “@apple.com”. If it ended in “@hotmail.com”, then you would know it is fake.
I strongly suggest that you review the software that you’ve installed so far. It sounds like you could have been scammed before. I’ve only mentioned things here that are obvious frauds. There is a whole different category of scams run by legitimate companies.
Download the Application Etrecheck directly from the Developer.
https://etrecheck.com/en/features.html regarding Malware detection
This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer.
It makes a coherent and readable inventory of both the Hardware and Software used on the computer
The application is free or paid from added features.
The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information.
Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon ( 3rd Icon to last ) <<<<
If you haven't already, you could try letting Amazon know that the vendor is selling something they are not authorized to sell. As per my description of products for sale, there, I'm not sure they care, either.
Why the secrecy? What is the software, developer, and distributor?
Most software sold on the internet is not distributed by the developer. It is difficult for developers to have in-house payment processing systems.
I have already informed DXO which was when they told me they only sell direct. Cannot understand why they are not more concerned as this strikes me as a potential incident of copyright theft of which I have personal experience before I retired.
This is the only time I have bought software from Amazon and all my other purchases from them have been no problem. In future I will only be buying software directly from the manufacturer/copyright owner.
The suggested software, if used may, less the concern of the existence of Malware that was bundled in that Software mentioned earlier.
The suggestion is to download Etrecheck application is purely optional as is the posting of the Full Report.
Though, the more 👀s on the possible issue, the more opportunities for meaningful solutions ( if required ) from those attending to this question.
Pre-activated software is software which does not require registration to activate, as the product is already registered when received by a consumer. It is this way by design
Thanks for your response.
I contacted the company who are the manufacturer and copyright holder of the software and they have stated
"we are the only sellers of our software."
This does make me somewhat suspicious as how has some other company got access to the programme and is able to sell it when the original manufacturer is the only supplier?
My concern is partly security as I have no way to verify that there is no malware etc in the download and IOS system did not alert me to the fact it is non App Store software. Google, at one point indicated it could not verify the package as legitimate!
Anyone else know anything about this?
Barney there is no secrecy but on the last occasion I mention Amazon the post was removed for some reason. The software is DXO Nik 5 package. The vendor is Software Heaven in the UK but DXO inform me that their software is only sold directly and not through a third party.
I have no issues with either Apple, Amazon, or DXO but I do object to being sold a product that crashes my computer.
Can you shed any light on the notion of "pre activated" software and how safe it is and whether it is legit?
Can you shed any light on the notion of "pre activated" software and how safe it is and whether it is legit?
Never heard the term before. I can only imagine it is similar to "conventional oven" in that software that has no activation scheme needs a caveat of "pre-activated" instead of just "software."
If the developer states that they do not use any outside distributor, then I would not trust Software Heaven. I wouldn't trust any software sold through Amazon unless it came in a shrink-wrapped box. Even then, I'd be wary. Really, that applies to everything sold on Amazon.
You should let DXO know that some vendor is selling their products on Amazon.
Thanks for the link which seems useful.
pre activated software, is it safe and legitemate?
