That was when Alex decided to take a shortcut. He started searching for a "nulled" version of the software. Nulled scripts were copies of paid software that had their license verification codes removed or bypassed by hackers. Within an hour of digging through sketchy, ad-filled file-sharing sites, Alex found what he was looking for: vBulletin Connect Nulled - Fully Working .

: Use of nulled software is a violation of copyright law. vBulletin actively reports piracy, and hosting providers often shut down sites found using unlicensed software.

Modern nulled scripts are sophisticated. Instead of stealing data immediately, hackers may install a . These scripts run in the background, using your server’s CPU power to mine Monero or Bitcoin.

Using a "nulled" version of vBulletin refers to using a pirated copy of the forum software that has had its licensing and verification checks removed .