Pirate software alerts ever 15 minutes.

[debwarr]

Hi, I started getting alerts every 15 seconds yesterday at work about my adobe software not being genuine. It's completely distracting.

A) I've been purchasing adobe software for 28 years now. ALL of it is legitimate. Every upgrade was purchased through Adobe—by me. Ever update was manually performed through Adobe's site—by me. I'm a sole proprietor and have literally spent upwards of $10,000 from my own pocket on Adobe software and to be harassed by Adobe alerts like this is ridiculous. I cannot find anyway to turn it off.

B) I've spent hours online searching for a resolution... nothing.

I've called Adobe a dozen times but cannot get to a real person without paying money for a support contract.

I finally called Adobe sales to talk to a real adobe person and they simply say I have to upgrade to CC because they no longer support CS6. I told them I don't want product support, I want them to stop falsely accusing me of pirating, and I want these alerts off my system. Nada... he could only sell me CC.

C) I will never be going to the CC version, especially when CS6 works perfectly fine for me... I use InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat Pro, Fireworks, Dreamweaver, and a few other programs from Adobe.

– CC is WAY beyond my means of affordability. (one person here... loyal customer for 3 decades)

– I live/work rural and can only access a satellite connection: Capped Data Here!

– I will not put client work in at risk in a cloud where it can be hacked.

All of the above are givens... there's no disputing it. I don't want an adobe rep to advise me how they can use a payment plan, or how all i need to do are Dismiss the alerts. I've had to dismiss it 3 times already just writing this.

I want to know

1) Can Adobe TURN OFF THESE ALERTS?

If not:

2) Why is Adobe FALSELY ACCUSING ME OF PIRATING their software. I have proof of legitimacy, including serial numbers

3) Isn't disrupting someone 50 times—and forcing them to perform an action—AN ILLEGAL BUSINESS PRACTICE?

4) Why would Adobe spit in the face of a loytal customer they've made so so much money off of?

5) Exactly how much more money does Adobe feel is owed by a loyal customer like me?

I feel like I'm being held hostage, and some of research has referred to CS6 owners not even being allowed to reinstall their owned Adobe software. Heaven forbid I get a new computer (and toss my current computer) and need to reinstall my owned software.

I'm not looking for software support. I simply want the software I legal own to not expire on me, given that there were NO expiration dates on it's usage to begin with.

[Terri_Stevens]

Thanks Szalam for explaining to onetime01​ that I don't have the power to issue refunds, setup special concessionary deals or in any other way help those people who have for one reason or another bought versions of Adobe products from dishonest sellers. Although I am sympathetic to the ops who suddenly discover they have wasted their money, I cannot help but think in the back of their heads they must know they are taking a very big gamble when purchasing heavily discounted software-An authorised agent sure makes a profit when selling on Adobe's behalf . I don't know what the margin allowed is but it's certainly not 50% and so if you see a product normally costing $1000 selling for $400 there has to be something wrong-either the licence is time limited such as with student editions, the product is on a volume licence or it's simply a pirated copy.

I know of no manufacturing company in the world that will make good the losses of people who have purchased their products from effectively crooks. Try asking Ford for a replacement car when you have bought from a guy you met in a bar and see how far that gets you. Adobe I seem to recall did offer deals on Creative Cloud for people deceived but unfortunately too many people in this thread won't face up to the fact they've been had and cut their losses.

[debwarr]

Did you then reinstall your Acrobat X?

[DrewWeinstein]

No I didn't, because I read that the Acrobat X was what was causing the popups. I then installed Adobe Acrobat reader DC. And i haven't had any messages since.

[Terri_Stevens]

are you also using the Creative Suite? If you are not then this would make sense as the anti-piracy system was introduced initially for Acrobat alone and only later extended to the other products. Uninstalling would remove the anti-piracy system and of course the reader being free doesn't need the system in the first place.

[StupidJerk]

In reply to Drew72680, I also solved the problem by installing Acrobat Reader DC.  The all popups are gone.  Just today another Adobe rep called about my problem. We again started on my software is not genuine or has been tampered with and that if I can provide receipts to verify my purchases, then they could help me! The only program on my computer that interfaces with Creative Suite is Fusion.

I told him I was not going to go through this discussion again. That he could look-up my purchasing history and that I was looking at a print-out that listed the programs, when purchased and the serial numbers.  Then I told him I had down loaded Acrobat Reader DC and all the problems went away.  He kept wanting to know what I had purchased or uninstalled.  That I must have some software that had been tampered. The fumiest question was "How did you install Acrobat Reader DC?" (Answer: Went to Adobe site, downloaded Reader, and installed it!"

Finally, I told him, bluntly, that I did not ask for Adobe to invade my software and computer; that the validation software obviously had some flaws in it; that I was not willing to uninstall and reinstall and have adobe not accept my serial numbers.  Then I said the only conclusion that made sense to me was that Adobe was out to force those of us who use the desktop version to switch to the cloud versions at a BIG increase in cost.  He said Adobe would not do that.  I told him fine, but what other conclusion am I to draw.

He left it that he would investigate and contact me again.  I may here from him in several months. Am I being tough on Adobe - maybe?  They have made it almost impossible to get any customer support or chats with people who know more that what they are reading from a script.

I remember years ago when Quark become very condescending with PC users. Adobe came in and whipped there behinds.  Quark is making a run at Adobe.  Hope Adobe learns the lessons of the past!

[asdlkfjlasd_jf]

I dont know if any of you are aware what or how Adobe truly makes it money so let me share some insight with you.

Most of the money that is made from Adobe now is from the stock market.

Everything Adobe does now affects there stock,   Rumors, Monthly subs, fake news,  Blocking license keys , Pop up alerts that get you to call Adobe to speak with a rep to do everything in there power to get you over the to the CC versions .

So big companies like this have learned that no one can stop them from blocking every key licensed to you and with that power comes great stock rewards.    If you all could only see and hear the news reports that come across from adobe news desk , you would be floored .

I remember when news came of the pop ups , Adobe rocketed straight up a few points , and this is really what it is all about.

Many of you are not aware of what happened to adobe stock when they announced the monthly subs , and soon every key will be blocked or not able to work on the newer operating systems.   

Apple just killed Final Cut Studio 7.0 completely off and Adobe is working on doing the same,    Fact is you cannot beat them , when they are ready to hit the 200 mark, its going to take some news like that to push the investors over and it is coming. 

This is the beginning of the what we call the weeding  out phase , planting the seed , preparing for the end of the lifetime license keys.

The only thing that makes me happy is that I play the stock every day, and apple just drew first blood and Adobe is next. 

I myself have the master collection and I paid full price from adobe and the fact that I got a pop up and had to call , made me smile about what is going to happen to the stock but sad that they tried to get me to to CC .

We are all looking for a $20 run up when the CS5/CS6 are no longer of any use.

[Terri_Stevens]

mmm Was there a question in there somewhere? This is a support forum not an extension to the Wall Street Journal. It's up to you whether you transition to the subscription model, but if you are getting a 'popup' its 99% sure you are running pirated software bought probably quite innocently at a bargain basement price. I don't gamble on the stock market in America, but even I know President Obama started  a strong growth trend in tech stocks across the board-it's the same boom the awful Donald Trump is taking credit for right now. The truth is with subscription Adobe has hit on a real winner with now more than ten million monthly subscribers-I really doubt that mopping up on software thieves will make a significant change to their net revenues which makes your argument based on conspiracy theory bogus.

[asdlkfjlasd_jf]

As a day trader i have to disagree with you , and this was an answer to one of the members who asked the question as to why this was happening.     Most likely you are not even aware of how stocks work, let alone adobe, but I am.   I trade it every day.      So nothing bogus about it, do some homework,   learn about adobe and what really makes them tick.    I agree with you the sub is a real winner but it was not enough to push the $200 mark and so stock member are watching carefully when cs5/6 are done.     This we feel is a good start by creating the pop up as that pop up made millions on the day it was released for adobe and momentum traders such as myself.

So  learn that what makes Adobe stock move,   because my money is that you do not have a clue.   I have no problems with my adobe and I recently subscribed to 2018 cc .     I know a losing but winning battle when I see one.

[Terri_Stevens]

That's fine , but I'm still not sure why you are posting this in a technical support forum that is run by volunteers and not Adobe themselves, who won't see your comments. When you make your first $1,000,000 as a day trader let us know and I'm sure we will all be overwhelmed with joy and praise god for the wonders of the capitalist system, but until then maybe post on financial sites where you will be confronted by people who can appropriately respond to you.. Incidentally statistics show more day traders go broke than make money-maybe you should quit while ahead.

[Ussnorway]

asdlkfjlasd;jf  wrote

... this was an answer to one of the members who asked the question as to why this was happening.    

perhaps you misclicked but I didn't ask why this is happening... I am allowed to see Adobe stock news if I wanted to but we have different views as to the how and where fore... again thats fine.

for what is worth I do agree Adobe made a mistake with the way they first brung this system in but I think that was lack of networking knowledge and not the illuminati

[christinem84408418]

Wanted to add my frustration in not getting correct support for getting the same error message that my software suite 6 Design and web is not authentic.   I have been running the software suite since 2014 and the serial number has been on file with Adobe.   Now it appears that its not legal?  Really?  Was on the phone with support for over an hour, was passed from person to person to person over 6-7 different people, all telling me, promising me, that they will get me to the correct department to fix the issue.  Not true, all lies.  Finally I asked for a manager, spoke to her, she said the same thing, took my phone number and promised to have the correct tech person call me and get this resolved.   Nothing, I waited around for over 2 hours for a call.   

Unfortunately, I followed the Adobe chat persons instructions to un-install all the suite which I did, decided to trust Adobe.   What a mistake that was.    Now the serial number is not valid and can not install the suite.  

Adobe, shame on you!   I have had Adobe products since Photoshop first was announced well over, 20 some years ago and stuck by their products.    I believe I will also add my voice to the BBB site about Adobe.   Looking into other applications other than Adobe.   Hate to do it but Adobe has proven to be un-ethical and un-trust worthy.  

If there is actually a person from Adobe that can actually fix this issue without sending me all over the place, I would appreciate it.  Prefer to use the suite apps but..... not looking good.  

[Ussnorway]

Adobe goes to sleep over the xmas break

[Terri_Stevens]

Hi Christine,

I don't work for Adobe and am on your side , but before we can even try to help you we must know where you purchased CS6 from. This is critical information as a formally authorised Adobe reseller will have sold you a completely bona-fide copy, but unauthorised dealers may have sold you a serial in multiple use, or a volume licenced version or educational software licenced for just the duration of a course. Once we know the source of your software we can check if they are honest suppliers and if they are 'authorised' an then Adobe should help you. The validation service is finely tuned and rarely makes mistakes so sadly you may have been deceived when you first purchased you product and it sounds as if this is what has happened here.

[christinem84408418]

Hello,

I purchased the suite for my son who is attending college and yes, it was an educational version.  I registered the serial number on my Adobe account since the software was installed on my system that is also used by my son.   He sent in all the correct information to prove he was a college student.   He just finished up college this December so he has been a student while the errors started.  The suite was purchased from Designer Tech Software.    So correct me if I am wrong, but the serial number has been registered with Adobe since April of 2014 so if the software was not genuine, it took Adobe over 3 years to identify it.   I do not believe the serial number or software was not genuine, not for one minute.   I still have my order number/receipt.  

So you mentioned that the validation service is finely tuned and rarely makes mistakes.....so by that statement alone, the software was genuine since it was not revoked in 2014 when it was properly registered with Adobe.   If you can let me know who to contact at Adobe, I would greatly appreciate it!   I did not enjoy the wasted time, the run around, and promises that were lies,  I received when trying to get this fixed.

In my opinion, this whole deal smacks of the scam Apple did with their phones.   The reputation of Adobe?  Gone down in this customers opinion. 

[Terri_Stevens]

Hello Christine,

I'm sorry to have to tell you that Designer Tech Software is not an authorised Adobe reseller and never has been. A quick look on Google revealed that they have had other unhappy customers in the past. If you look at the last comment you will see someone lost $599 on Adobe software.

Designer Tech Software Reviews - 4 Complaints | ComplaintsList.com

The domain name for this company is also now up for sale, respectable retailers don't sell their trademarks! Adobe has in the past been very tolerant over pirated software, but in the last 18 months introduced a validation service to check for legitimacy, before that effectively anyone could get away with owning a bogus version of the products. When you first registered in 2014 it is quite possible your serial had not been blacklisted and so there was no sign you had been sold anything other than a legitimate version. Now that the validation service has detected your copy is not genuine I'm afraid there is no way you can reinstall it as the serial will be rejected. In short you have been the victim of a fraud. Really talking with Adobe will be pointless as they will very quickly work out you purchased from a non recognised dealer and maybe be sympathetic but will just point you in the direction of a Creative Cloud subscription. I'm very sorry but there isn't very much anyone can do to help you over this.

[christinem84408418]

Hello,

Appreciate your explanation,  and your time to respond in this forum, Adobe could take some lessons from you on customer care.

It would have been good to know back in 2014 when I could have actually taken action to re-coup the cost I put out.    I could have bought a disk version of the Suite and made sure it was authorized or tried to (not sure if I can trust any so called authorized sellers due to how easy it is to fake a legit site now days).     Three years later, I have no recourse.   I am still not convinced that the suite was not legit.  Adobe had 3 years to actually look at my serial number and figure it out.   Shame on them.

As an Adobe customer since 1986-87,  it would be nice if they at least could have been forth right instead of continually telling me they will get the issue fixed and incessantly giving me the run-around.  Poor form on Adobe's part.  If they loose a customer's trust, they could loose more than they bargained for.... 

I have already purchased software to replace Adobe both raster, vector, PDF and a HTML Editor.    I will use Apples video editing software and have found options for the other smaller software needs I have.   Adobe has lost this customers trust and respect.   I would also suggest to others that have been so put out by Adobe, that there are options....  I for one, now support other company(s) that I hope will eventually surpass Adobe products.      I will not get an Adobe Subscription for any of their software.

Good luck to all those out there that have been frustrated by Adobe and their lack of concern for their customers. 

Terri, I wish you a Happy New Year

[Ussnorway]

as student software the key should have been sent to you by Adobe after your son gave them all his id... is that not the case here?

[christinem84408418]

Hello,

Since an actual disk was purchased, the serial number is on the disk packaging, as it always has been in the past.   I input the serial number at Adobe's site under my profile (since the software was installed on my computer) and I have logged in and checked that the serial number is still the same as it was when I first registered the product back in 2014.    My son had to supply the vendor we purchased the software through his information, ID etc to prove he was actively enrolled in college.   He was taking classes that used Photoshop, Illustrator, etc .   Everything was just fine until the later part of this year, don't remember the actual month I started to receive the error message.   

I take it that you are not with Adobe either?   Since it appears that Adobe will not own up to what is going on, and the fact that the applications with the serial number has been registered on their site for over 3 years... that now, I really do question their motives.   Call it what you will, but again I say, this smacks a lot like what Apple is doing to "make customers upgrade". 

I have already replaced all the Adobe software I was using with other products and since my son has completed his courses at college, I have no reason to continue to use Adobe software.  Its unfortunate, because I have been using Photoshop and Illustrator for so many years.   However, I can't trust Adobe, from this issue to the manner in which their support people lied to me, making promises they had obviously no intention of keeping.   I wish all users out there, good luck!  You do not have to use Adobe, there are options with software that can replace Adobe products without skipping a beat.  I am a designer first, coder second and understand the impact of what Adobe has done. 

To Ussnorway,  Happy New Year ....  I am dropping from this forum since there is nothing I can do about this debacle.

[Szalam]

debwarr wrote:

– I will not put client work in at risk in a cloud where it can be hacked.

I think you misunderstand the CC model. The software installs on your machine and you use it on your machine just like the CS and previous versions did. No client work needs to be "in the cloud" at all. It's just that it verifies your subscription via an internet connection every once in a while. You can run it without an internet connection for weeks at a time if you like and it wouldn't be an issue at all.

Also, price-wise, it's fairly inexpensive per month when you compare it to keeping up do date with the CS Master collections and now you get even more software than they used to have back then.

But that's not going to solve your problem now, is it? You paid for your software and you should be able to use it. What I think has happened is that something screwed up your install. Some cleaner software, some malware, or some other software installation has messed with some of the dlls or library items or whatever else Adobe uses to check for legitimate versions and has caused your software to flake out. This is not something Adobe does to your system, by the way. There are thousands of people still using CS6 without issue every day. I repeat: it is something that happened on your end. Now, I do think Adobe support should help you with this as it is a licensing issue, but I can't help you with that as I don't work for Adobe.

I would suggest simply uninstalling (perhaps running Adobe's CC cleaner software) and then reinstalling. That should rebuild the things that have gone awry.

By the way, I am going to recommend that a moderator move your thread from The Lounge where it is currently posted to a more specific forum.

[debwarr]

szalam, did you have someone put this conversation in another formus as stated above? if so, where. no time to search the internet again to look for it. beyond reporting it the the state attorney general and bbb,  i need answers now so i can get back to work without harassment.

[Szalam]

debwarr wrote:

szalam, did you have someone put this conversation in another formus as stated above?

Yes! But it's not something you need to go look for. I was just saying this thread needed to be moved. That is to say, if you look at the top of this page, it says we are in the Creative Suites forum. This thread had originally been posted in the Forum Lounge which is not a support area at all. Thus it has already been moved to a more correct spot. So, if you are reading this, you are already here!

debwarr wrote:

reporting it the the state attorney general and bbb, i need answers now so i can get back to work without harassment.

I can understand your frustration, but if you follow the steps I suggested, it will most likely solve your problem without the hassle you are threatening to incur on yourself.

If you don't want to follow my suggestions, please try Adobe support again (sales isn't going to help here). They should still be supporting you on activation issues. Just be sure to specify that you are having an issue with activation.

[DrewWeinstein]

I just did a system update to my MAC and Adobe is now telling me the same thing! It says something about the software being pirated. Yet when it takes me to the Adobe genuine software screen all of my programs pass, so why the hell did it tell me that my software may be pirated.

My thought is that Adobe must have some agreement with apple to help them reach customers who purchased apple products in the past and convince them to upgrade to Creative Cloud. My line of reasoning is that I wasn't wasn't getting these warnings before I updated my OS... Once I updated I got this warning that my programs may not be genuine or might be pirated. Therefore I conclude that Adobe is making a push to try and get previous customers using older software to update to Adobe Creative Cloud and that Apple must have some sort of agreement with them to help them do this.

While I understand that they want people to update and get the most recent software. I personally don't like the idea of having to pay a subscription fee to get part of a program, that I can't actually own. I find it annoying that Adobe went the way of World Of Warcraft with the whole subscription and keeping part of the program on their server and then giving you only a part of the program that you keep on your computer. I understand that this move was a business decision, and a way that they could generate a consistent flow of monthly income and makes it easy for them to update the program. But i don't like the fact that I can't actually own a copy of the software. Because of this I will not update to Creative Cloud.

[John T Smith]

Owners of old programs simply have problems with Mac El Capitan/Sierra... none of which is Adobe's fault... Adobe did not change your old program to make it stop working... Apple changed their operating system and THAT is why your old programs won't work, not because of anything Adobe did... Also... every time Apple issues an update, there is the risk that an old program that HAS been working will STOP working... bottom line, old programs require a matching old operating system

[DrewWeinstein]

If adobe is not at fault, and this has nothing to do with Adobe then why is there an article this says it has everything to do with them.

https://betanews.com/2016/05/23/adobe-non-genuine-software/

My programs are licensed, and this pop up is not only irritating to me as a consumer but as a professional that uses adobe products. There is no way that I am going to go through the trouble of uninstalling and reinstalling these programs as Adobe suggests that I do since they are not pirated programs, but "out of date programs".

I understand that programs are built to work on certain operating systems, but seeing that my programs are still functioning and that Apple couldn't cause a popup to appear, it is obvious this has nothing to do with Apple, but with Adobe.

Bottom line I shouldn't have continuously have to put up with pop up that says I have pirated software when I don't!

[John T Smith]

>I just did a system update to my MAC and Adobe is now telling me

>obvious this has nothing to do with Apple, but with Adobe

What is obvious to me, based on what you wrote, is that your problem started with an operating system update

So, as I posted in reply #7, Apple made a change that cause a properly working program to start showing an error message