Dangers of using an install iso found on the net?

trablabla

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Awhile back my computer died, and I bought a mac mini to replace it. I wanted to install a Win 8 partition on this new machine with bootcamp, but I was unable to figure out how to get Win 8 installation media from Microsoft since they make you go through the Windows setup program that only runs on Windows, and the new machine has no disk drive. So I found a Win 8 iso on the net from a site that looked safe. I believe it was a blog but I don't remember, and I'm not sure if it was a direct download or link to a torrent. I installed Win using this and have used it for a while. It installed fine, and I haven't seen anything amiss in the time I've been using it. So my question is, how stupid was this? What danger did I expose myself to, and is there anyway to know for sure now if my system is compromised or not? I don't have the file I used for the install anymore. I'm about to re install the proper way, only waiting to see if there's anything I should check with the current setup that could give me some info.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
Well a few months ago there were leaked ISO's available on few sites, I checked the Checksum of the ISO I used. Microsoft cracked down on the websites that were hosting these so no we go to use Torrent I chose not to. Most likely you don't have any problems. You could do some deep scans with Norton and Malware bytes, my opinion only.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro MC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
    Motherboard
    Z97 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
    Sound Card
    VIA 6.0.10.1600
    Screen Resolution
    1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
    Internet Speed
    30 down 3 up
    Browser
    Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    NIS and Malwarebytes
You didn't say if you have a legitimate Windows 8 key. I will base my answer on your response.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer V3 771G-6443
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer VA70_HC (U3E1)
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 PC3-12800 (800 MHz)
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    HD4000 + GeForce GT 730M
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" Generic PnP Display on Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900 pixels
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    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250 GB
    ADATA SSD SP900 128GB
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    90 watt brick
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    Comodo
    Other Info
    Asus RT-AC56R dual-band WRT router (Merlin firmware). Intel 7260.HMWWB.R dual-band ac wireless adapter.
Thanks for the replies. Clint, should I spring for the full versions of those antiviruses, or will the free malware bytes do it?

Popeye, yes it's a legitimate key. I just used the key to setup a usb drive so I can do this right. Pasted it from the order confirmation email.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
OK, a valid key is a start, I would never download Windows ISO from anywhere but official MS sites or verified retailers.

I would run Malwarebyte and sfc /sannow to begin with.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer V3 771G-6443
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer VA70_HC (U3E1)
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 PC3-12800 (800 MHz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD4000 + GeForce GT 730M
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" Generic PnP Display on Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250 GB
    ADATA SSD SP900 128GB
    PSU
    90 watt brick
    Mouse
    Bluetooth
    Antivirus
    Comodo
    Other Info
    Asus RT-AC56R dual-band WRT router (Merlin firmware). Intel 7260.HMWWB.R dual-band ac wireless adapter.
I used unmodified ISOs (keyword here) from torrents when testing Alpha, beta and RC Win8 without any ill effects. Not everything is illegal or dangerous to download from torrents, just got to be careful with files coming with download. mTorrent has a screen which lets you to choose before download which files to download together with the main thing and if it's not a .txt file I don't let them download. Reading comments from other people before downloading also helps. There's usually outcry and warnings on PB if anything is amiss. Never be the first one that to download something, wait for comments. I use PB to share some of my files with friends if they are too large for other sites, properly coded and protected with multiple levels of complicated passwords.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
edit:

How to download and clean install Windows 8.1 -> link
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3230M
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, standard user account
    Other Info
    UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8 product key.
Hi there

I think we all used a LOT of torrents back when Windows 7 was in testing / development with new builds appearing almost weekly -- I rather miss that sort of frenzied activity back then -- Windows 9 (or even 8.1 update 2) seems to be locked down tighter than a Death Row in a Texas state Jail.

If you do find an ISO on a Torrent - watch out for any "added extras" -- and ensure you have a LEGIT KEY -- those with activation tools are highly illegal and it's against the forum rules to discuss these or give any help.

A LEGIT key with a valid checksum should install OK - provided it's YOUR OWN KEY and not a "Hacked" one -- which will get blacklisted very quickly these days.

My biggest grip these days with Windows is that unless you have an MSDN ( expensive) or one of the expiring shortly Technet subscriptions you won't easily find ISO's -- it all seems to have to be done via that wretched store.

If you don't have one what I would do is after the initial CLEAN windows install (plus drivers in any) take a CLEAN backup and use this as your reference point if you need to re-install Windows in the future. Then take a SECOND one after you've installed any applications such as Ms Office etc.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
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    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
HashTab provides an easy way to verify file integrity and authenticity.

Windows 8.1 with Update (multiple editions) (x64) - DVD (English)
Release Date: 4/2/2014
File Name: en_windows_8.1_with_update_x64_dvd_4065090.iso
File Size: 3924 MB
SHA1: 4652DC6EBFEBE02C6A63E167C36E3FAEDFB93999

You can look up the hash code and file info on MSDN Subscriber Downloads (but you can't download without a subscription from this page).
:ditto:. If the hash matches it is unaltered and fine to use.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro Prieview x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MacBook Pro Core2Duo
    CPU
    T7600
    Memory
    3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon X1600
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Internal
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 800
    Hard Drives
    40GB
    Keyboard
    Apple
    Mouse
    Apple
    Internet Speed
    Varies
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    Various
    Antivirus
    Defender
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