How to Spot Fake Software Websites and Avoid Getting Scammed

Buying software online can save you money and time—but it also exposes you to scams, malware, and fake license resellers. At Digitalicence, we’ve seen it all: customers who paid for counterfeit keys, users who installed trojan-infected “cracked” versions, and professionals locked out of their accounts after using shady software.

If you want to stay safe when buying digital licenses, here’s what you absolutely need to know.

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1. Too Good to Be True? It Probably Is

If a website is offering Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Cloud at a ridiculously low price—think 5 or 10 euros—it’s likely a scam. Real licenses have a cost, and professional vendors operate within a market range. Scammers rely on impulse buyers who fall for “flash deals” or fake countdowns.

Tip: Always compare prices with trusted sources. If the price is 80–90% lower than the official channel, something’s wrong.

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2. Check the Domain Name Carefully

Fake software sites often use domains that look similar to real ones:

• microsoftstore-downloads.com (fake) vs microsoft.com (real)
• ad0bedeals.net (fake) vs adobe.com (real)

Look for misspellings, dashes, added numbers, or strange top-level domains (.xyz, .top, etc.).

Pro tip: Use tools like Whois Lookup to check who registered the domain and when. Scam sites are often newly registered, with anonymous owners.

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3. Look for HTTPS – But Don’t Rely on It Alone

Just because a site has a padlock (SSL certificate) doesn’t mean it’s safe. Scammers also use HTTPS now. It’s a basic security layer, not a trust signal.

Instead, verify:

• Company info in the footer
• Terms of Service and Privacy Policy pages
• Contact email and phone number (and test them!)

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4. Look at the Payment Methods

Fake sites often push crypto, wire transfers, or gift cards—methods that are hard to trace and impossible to dispute.
A legitimate store should offer:

• Credit cards
• PayPal or Stripe
• Clear refund or return policies

Digitalicence, for example, offers safe payment options and a support team ready to assist after purchase.

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5. Watch Out for Cracked or Pirated Versions

Some sites promote “pre-activated” or “cracked” software. These versions are often:

• Illegal
• Infected with malware
• Blocked by antivirus tools
• Unable to update or connect to official servers

Installing pirated software is not only risky, it could compromise your entire system. And no—“turning off antivirus just for a second” isn’t a real fix.

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6. Search for Real Reviews – Not Just on the Site

Fake websites usually display fake testimonials, often generic, with no dates or user photos.

Check trusted sources instead:

• Google Reviews
• Trustpilot
• Reddit or Quora discussions
• YouTube tutorials with real activation demos

Also, look up the business name on scam databases like ScamAdviser.

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7. No Support? Big Red Flag.

One of the easiest ways to test a seller is to contact support before buying.

Ask a simple question like:

• “How long is the license valid?”
• “Is this a retail or volume key?”
• “Do I need to create an account to activate?”

If you don’t get an answer—or receive a vague, auto-generated reply—walk away.

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8. Know What You’re Buying: OEM, Retail, Volume

Scam sites often sell invalid license types or mislabel keys:

• OEM keys meant for manufacturers
• Volume licenses resold illegally
• Expired or reused keys

A professional vendor will always specify what you’re buying and whether it’s for personal, commercial, or academic use.

At Digitalicence, we always include clear product descriptions and activation instructions—so you know exactly what to expect.

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9. The Fine Print Matters

Look at:

• Return policies
• Activation guarantees
• Terms & conditions

Scam sites often hide in the gray area or copy-paste legal text without updating details. Be suspicious of any site that has broken English or strange formatting in their policies.

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Final Tips to Stay Safe

• Bookmark trusted sources like Digitalicence
• Avoid Google Ads blindly—scammers sometimes use paid ads to appear on top
• Install a good antivirus and browser extension to block known phishing sites
• Back up your data before installing any third-party software

Buying software online doesn’t have to be risky—if you know what to look for.

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Why Trust Digitalicence?

We’re a verified software reseller trusted by thousands of customers worldwide.
What sets us apart?

• Transparent product pages
• Real support, before and after purchase
• Secure payment and fast delivery
• No tricks, no cracks, no fake keys—just the software you need, legally and safely

Need help choosing the right license?
Check out our Software Buying Guide to learn more.