Then you notice a second file: AdGuard_Patch.exe . You download it, but Windows Defender immediately quarantines it as Trojan:Win32/Wacatac.B!ml . You have just narrowly avoided infecting your system.

Remember: On GitHub, if a deal looks too good to be true, it’s either a trap or a broken promise. Protect your privacy and your machine. Pay for software that works, or use free software that is truly free. This article is for educational purposes only. Using unauthorized license keys violates software terms of service and may expose you to legal liability or cybersecurity risks. Always obtain software licenses from official sources.

Inside, there is a file keys.json . You try the first key: A12345-B67890-C11121-D13141 . AdGuard rejects it as “invalid.” You try the next five—all invalid. You scroll to the comments section of the repo (if issues are enabled) and see other users writing: “Keys don’t work,” or “This is a scam.”