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Old 01-12-2017, 08:18 PM
Mxfrank Mxfrank is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,971
Just be aware that the bootlegged DVD versions run in an XP virtual machine. That means that the security protections that normally run on your PC are not effective when you run "inside the box". At the very least, you should download and install all available XP updates. It's been off maintenance for more than a year, but there are ten years of old fixes that are still available at the Microsoft site. (Inside the VM, go to Control Panel>Automatic Updates) Do the same for Adobe reader and Flash. It's also a good idea to install an anti-virus package in the virtual machine. (If you run something like Norton, McAfee or Avast, you will need to purchase an additional license for the virtual machine. At the very least, you can download and install MS Defender.)

While a virus inside a VM shouldn't affect your PC, life isn't perfect. The VM will have it's own pass-thru connection to your network, and is obviously behind your router. So a worm hidden in the VM could propagate to every device on your network. You're using a piece of bootleg software, so right out of the box you know you're dealing with something questionable. No telling what all is in the box, so take your precautions seriously.
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