I had a question running in my mind from many days but didn't find the answer could any one tell me is there anything like MALICIOUS KEY like there is malicious softwares....malicious key I mean to say like it is entered into system during installation so it will change or install something that can be harmfull or may send some unwanted info
A malicious key is in a malicious software. the malicious key gets access to your system with a potential password. then it infects your computers files and others. And Steals your personal info.
Do you mean a serial you enter during proprietary programs activation?
I don't think so, it's just a piece of data that the program verifies to see if it's authentic only, but by itself isn't any kind of program that can do anything to the system. The program itself is the one being activated, all actions are performed by it, which I would expect that only limits to either granting full access (with a correct serial) or locking you out of your program or limiting functions (by incorrect activation).
A completely different thing are cracks used to illegally activate programs. Those can (and often do) carry a malware payload in addition to the cracking itself.
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