o-daokey.exe

'o-daokey.exe' is supposedly a game unlocking code (or key) generator (also referred to as a 'keygen') for the newly released "Dragon Age: Origins" and affects PC users only. The group of clever hackers who created it call themselves "Outlaws" and rightly so. Users of this keygen usually possess an illegal (pirated) copy of the aforementioned game and this keygen is easily located by a simple search on a few torrent websites. The torrent name may vary, but is usually something like, 'Dragon Age Origins Keygen - OUTLAWS.torrent' and will enable you to download two files, 'o-daokey.rar' and 'outlaws.nfo', which total about 156 kB. The compressed file in RAR format contains the actual keygen 'o-daokey.exe'and the NFO file is merely a text file that offers a brief description of the pirated game of which the keygen is intended for, along with how to use the keygen, and some miscellaneous greetings to other hacker groups, etc.

Aside from the obvious fact that using a keygen usually indicates illegal ownership of a pirated game, it is also questionable if this keygen actually generates usuable game keys. Ironically, for the foolish who dare to use it, it is a double-edged sword, for the OUTLAWS (with whom they feel gratitude towards for providing it) have also slipped in an aggressive rootkit malware, which activates upon executing the keygen. This keygen will continue to plague the user upon each startup of their PC and automatically access the Internet in the background. Any attempt to 'end task' using Task Manager will be met with failure as it relentlessly relaunches its connection in the background.

[A rootkit allows someone, either legitimate or malicious, to maintain command and control over a computer system, without the the computer system user knowing about it. This means that the owner of the rootkit is capable of executing files and changing system configurations on the target machine, as well as accessing log files or monitoring activity to covertly spy on the user's computer usage. Malware is short for malicious software and is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code.]

Despite its persistence, there is a simple means to get rid of this intrusive malware, but the intent of this post is merely to caution the would-be pirate not to use this keygen. Instead, go buy "Dragon Age: Origins" from your local game retailer or online from legitimate vendors, such as STEAM, and show your gratitude towards the game creators and your support for future great games.

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