is the detection name for a tool that generates keys for software.
Because HackTool:Win32/Keygen is often distributed the same way as malware, you may be at risk of further infection. A common social engineering tactic used by malware is to masquerade as Keygens, in an try to trick you into downloading and running the malware.
In the past, we have seen malware present on more than half the PCs where we detect HackTool:Win32/Keygen; you can read more about this in the Volume 13 of the Security Intelligence Report.
The following are some threats often detected on PCs with Win32/Keygen:
Win32/Keygens may have any number of interfaces, depending on the keys or serial numbers they are generating. The following is one example of a serial number generator for Adobe Photoshop CS3:
Volume 13 of the Security Intelligence Report
takes a more detailed look at Win32/Keygen.
You can find out more about software piracy, and the risks associated with software piracy on Microsoft piracy site.
Analysis by Jasmine Sesso & Francis Allan Tan Seng
Alerts from your security software may be the only symptom.