Part I

Phrozen For Life

In an article titled "Cracking The DVD Code" I lumped together a bunch of names and called them all software crackers. I mistakenly included the name Nitallica as a software cracker. Boy did I ever get email on that faux pas! I got tons of email telling me in no uncertain terms that Nitallica is not a cracker and should not be classified as one.

I decided that in order to set the record straight, and get some first hand insight on the cracker scene, I would try to get Nitallica herself to tell me in her own words what the cracker scene is, and what it is all about. I had my doubts that she would respond to any of my email because first of all I am an outsider, and second of all I am a member of the media, a group that has exploited the hacking, cracking, and warez scene and generally gets it all wrong. Much to my surprise she did respond and also agreed to an interview. Nitallica is a member of a group that calls itself "Phrozen Crew". She is a programmer, web designer and graphic designer for Phrozen Crew and independently.

Before we get into the interview I would like to give you a little background on what the cracking scene is from my perspective. Crackers in this context does not refer to the malicious hackers that break into and bring down networks. These crackers write little programs that can turn shareware programs and "try before you buy" programs into full working versions. Some of these program cracks defeat the time limits that are set on shareware and others, called "keygens" use an algorithm to create a valid serial number or unlock code for the shareware program. In doing my research for this article as well as my interview with Nitallica I learned the legalities that pertain to cracks and keygens. I also found that crackers, for the most part, do not do this so that they can get free software. For them it is the challenge of being able to break whatever protection the software publisher has put on the application. It is like an analogy that I read a couple of years ago. Take a closed, locked box and show it to a hacker and a non hacker. The non hacker will look at the box and wonder what is inside. The hacker will look at the box and wonder how to get inside, not caring at all about what the contents of the box is. This is what the cracker scene is. They look at the box, it's lock, the seams, the faults and flaws, any way that they can get inside that box. After the box has been opened, the contents can be discarded for all they care.

Warez is something different altogether. Warez is pirated software, or software that is obtained illegally. Software pirates or Warez d00dz do not use cracks or keygens, instead they trade full working versions of software that they have obtained by various means. Sometimes they will distribute a shareware program with a crack or serial number bundled with it. Warez is a whole different scene and will be the subject of a future article.

Part II

I entered into this interview, humbled by my previous naive comments, and I was sure that Nitallica would respond to my questions with flames and sarcasm. Much to my surprise she did not treat me like the "lamer" that I felt that I was.

Your Guide - OK, I have been criticized in the past for confusing hackers with crackers with warez d00dz. What is it that people that write program cracks and keygens want to be called?

Nitallica - Most of the ones that I know prefer to be called 'crackers' or 'reverse engineers'.

Your Guide - So if people who crack programs are crackers how do I differentiate between malicious hackers and program crackers?

Nitallica - *laughs* Ok, first of all, there's that stereotypical assumption that all hackers are malicious. ;) They're not, but that's a different interview altogether. Think about what you just said ... 'program crackers' ... they crack programs, makes sense doesn't it?

Your Guide - I know that most hackers do not even want to be in the same room with warez d00dz, what is your opinion of them?

Nitallica - I've found that much to be true. I've dated a couple of hackers, one of which that was pretty well known in alt.2600, and yes, some do look down their nose at software pirates ('warez d00dz') and software crackers. However, there are those that don't care ... and I've even seen them floating around the warez and cracks groups hunting along with the rest of us for their favorite releases. It all depends on the crowd I guess.

Your Guide - A crack or a keygen allows you to take a shareware or demo program and turn it into a full working version of the program, isn't that illegal?

Nitallica - Ok, define 'illegal' ... first of all, it depends on the laws where you are, where you live. Secondly, for the time being it is not illegal to have a crack (or keygen or whatever), but it is illegal to USE it. (law makers are trying to change that)

Your Guide - I have seen warez groups and warez sites appear and disappear but groups like Phrozen Crew and United Cracking Force have been around for years.What accounts for your longevity while the warez sites disappear so quickly?

Nitallica - There is no illegal content on our sites. Go to the Phrozen Crew website and you'll see it in big bold letters that there are no cracks or anything of that kind. The only thing you'll find there are news articles and updates, some awesome artwork, and perhaps a few funny tales and links to member sites.

Part III

Your Guide - OK, I see and I understand but there are other sites with cracks and keygens on them that have been around for years. Sites like the "Keygen Studio" are there month after month. Is this because "cracks" and keygens are technically legal?

Nitallica - Not really, the majority of webhosting providers will not allow sites carrying cracks, keygens, serial lists, or anything of that nature because they don't want heat from the BSA, software companies, or anyone of that nature. However, one might notice that sites hosted on non-US servers tend to live longer and are more stable; for example, Russian sites used to be the most stable, or perhaps Asian sites ... something like that. It all depends on the host really, and how much crap they're willing to take for your site.

Your Guide - Why does Phrozen Crew do what they do. I know that nobody except the very lame sell cracks or keygens, what is in it for them?

Nitallica - For some, the satisfaction of helping others. Perhaps for others, they like the challange of 'beating' a protection scheme ... that takes a bit of skill and knowledge and PATIENCE! (heh, which is why I don't crack! *laughs*) Most crackers though will work with authors on improving their protection schemes and working towards making the apps harder to crack. Some crackers even turn into software authors and start selling their own hard work! Phrozen Crew and many other groups actively encourage crack users to buy the product and to support the hard work of software authors. (see, we're not ALL bad guys!)

Your Guide - I have toyed around with hex editors and that was enough to make my eyes glaze over but many crackers program in assembly language. How can anybody even think that is fun?

Nitallica - *laughs* I'm a programmer by profession, and I think it's fun. I think it's really all in a person's mindset and way of thinking. If you think about it, some people think certain ways. Most accountants I know think programming is boring. When, I was in school, I could rattle on endlessly to my accounting professor about C+ and COBOL, and he'd fall asleep, but then he'd rattle on to me about his love of Income Tax Laws and stuff related to Accounting, and I'd be off in another world. If you're doing something you like, chances are you'll see it as fun, when others won't -- whether it's cracking, gardening, or anything.

Your Guide - How can I be leet? (elite or part of the "scene")

Nitallica - Read, study, read some more, ask questions, read, just dive right in! (did I mention read?) My advice to you: never stop learning. That applies not only to cracking, but to anything and everything in life.

I will let you decide on the moral or legal issues surrounding software cracking. You can look at it this way, did Houdini act in an immoral or illegal way when he figured out how to escape from a locked pair of handcuffs?

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Related Links

Nitallica
This is Nitallica's gallery page containing some of her artwork.

Phrozen Crew
One of the oldest and best known crack groups around.

United Cracking Force
Another long standing group that is a part of the cracking scene. Warning - May contain adult content.