Table of contents
- What Abandonware means
- The appeal of Abandonware games
- An underestimated risk
- Real examples of Abandonware-related threats
- How to protect yourself from Abandonware risks
- Abandonware and digital preservation
When we talk about software, we cannot ignore the phenomenon of abandonware.
These are programs often abandonware games that are no longer sold, updated, or supported by their original developers, yet continue to circulate online, freely downloadable from unofficial sites.
For many retro-gaming enthusiasts and digital collectors, abandonware represents a way to preserve digital culture. However, from a cyber security perspective, it can easily become a minefield.
In this article, we’ll explore what abandonware really means, why it has become so popular, and most importantly, what risks it poses in terms of abandonware security. We’ll also look at how to protect yourself from potential malware and vulnerabilities, and which legal and safe alternatives allow you to relive the classics without endangering your computer.
What Abandonware means
The term abandonware comes from the words abandoned and software. It refers to programs or games that, while still existing, have been “abandoned” by their creators or official distributors. This can happen for several reasons:
- The developer has gone out of business;
- The software has been replaced by a newer version;
- The license has expired or is no longer managed;
- The program is no longer compatible with modern systems.
Many abandonware games come from the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s—eras when the gaming industry evolved rapidly. Titles made for MS-DOS, Commodore 64, Amiga, or early Windows 95 machines have become digital relics, shared by communities of fans eager to keep them alive.
Legally speaking, abandonware exists in a gray area. In most cases, the copyright still applies, even if it is not actively enforced. This means that downloading or distributing abandonware games may technically violate copyright law.
The appeal of Abandonware games
Abandonware games aren’t just about nostalgia. For many, they represent a portal into an era when creativity made up for limited hardware. Experiencing classics like Monkey Island, Doom, Prince of Persia, or SimCity 2000 is like stepping into the history of computing itself.
However, that retro charm comes with hidden dangers. Many websites hosting abandonware downloads don’t verify file integrity or scan for malware. In the 1990s, users installed software from physical media such as floppy disks or CDs. Today, anonymous uploads make it impossible to know whether the content is authentic or malicious. This is where abandonware security becomes a concern.
An underestimated risk
Downloading abandonware from unofficial sources can expose users to various cyber threats. Files are often uploaded by anonymous users, and many contain hidden malware, Trojans, or even ransomware, disguised as harmless vintage games.
Another major issue is that abandonware often comes as unsigned executables requiring the use of emulators such as DOSBox or virtual machines. If these emulators are outdated or downloaded from unreliable sources, they can themselves be exploited as attack vectors.
Compatibility is another weak point. Old games may require administrative privileges or changes to system settings to run correctly. These adjustments can create security holes that malicious code may exploit to gain unauthorized access to files or networks.
Real examples of Abandonware-related threats
Several incidents in recent years have highlighted how abandonware can serve as a vehicle for cyberattacks. For instance:
- Pirated versions of old DOS games on unofficial sites contained infected executables installing keyloggers to steal passwords.
- Copies of legacy graphic design software distributed as abandonware hid adware that displayed intrusive ads or collected browsing data.
- Modified emulators bundled with malicious code created backdoors on victims’ computers.
The danger is amplified by the fact that many modern antivirus tools lack updated signatures for old executable formats, making detection difficult.
How to protect yourself from Abandonware risks
To minimize the dangers related to abandonware security, it’s essential to follow some cyber security best practices:
- Download only from trusted sources
Use verified retro-gaming portals such as MyAbandonware or Internet Archive, which perform antivirus scans and comply with copyright law. - Use virtual machines
Install abandonware in an isolated environment (e.g., VirtualBox or VMware) to prevent infections from spreading to your main system. - Keep your antivirus updated
Always scan files before launching them, even if they seem harmless. - Check file signatures
Verify SHA256 or MD5 hashes whenever available. - Avoid unofficial cracks or patches
They often contain malicious code disguised as compatibility fixes.
Following these simple rules allows you to enjoy the nostalgia of old games while keeping your computer safe.
Abandonware and digital preservation
Beyond cyber security, abandonware raises an important issue: digital preservation. Many early digital works risk being lost forever because their creators no longer maintain them or because physical media have deteriorated.
Organizations around the world are working on software preservation projects to balance copyright compliance with cultural preservation.
Initiatives like Internet Archive, MobyGames, and the Software Preservation Society demonstrate that it’s possible to safeguard historic software responsibly and securely, without compromising user cyber security.
