A quick online search will instantly reveal a long list of anti-plagiarism software that aims to catch the eye of students by offering the plagiarism check service for free. While this might seem ideal for a struggling college student, it is important to remember the old adage that nothing is ever truly free. In fact, using a plagiarism checker for free can do serious harm to your academic career. Before uploading your best work into any online checker you should be aware of the potential dangers of using free anti-plagiarism software along with a few easy ways to spot a nefarious company.
Perils of Using a Plagiarism Checker for Free
It is important to keep in mind that there are still many legitimate plagiarism detection businesses online, and knowing how to spot a good one can ensure that you do not fall prey to the perilous scanners.
Using a plagiarism checker for free rarely comes without some type of cost. At the very least, you could be dealing with a company that knows little more than how to write software code that will make you think your paper is actually being checked for plagiarism. In reality, it is not checking as thoroughly as you believe, and you could still be accused of plagiarism. A more serious danger of using a plagiarism checker for free is the potential for having your intellectual property stolen. Criminal-minded companies will entice you to upload your paper for free, and then they will steal it and resell it online. Once this happens, your paper could then be entered into online databases that will make it look like you have committed an act of plagiarism if your educational institution runs a scan.
How to Recognize a Legitimate Company
It is important to keep in mind that there are still many legitimate plagiarism detection businesses online, and knowing how to spot a good one can ensure that you do not fall prey to the perilous scanners. Many clues to a company’s legitimacy can easily be noticed on their website. For example, misspelled words and poor grammar are sure signs that a company is no academic experience. Check the About Us or Contact page to identify whether or not they have a business address and working telephone number should you have a problem. A plagiarism checker for free should also be a red flag if you can find no possible benefit to the company for offering such services at zero cost.
Ways Reputable Businesses Help Students
Anti-plagiarism companies that understand academic writing will often offer opportunities for students to use their plagiarism checker for free by arranging for fair trade. Instead of stealing a student’s paper-like nefarious companies, they allow students to access their services for free but ask for them to recommend their plagiarism checker on social media sites. A positive review or referral could also be a way for students to bypass the standard fee.
When it comes to protecting your academic reputation, it is worth doing a little research to identify a safe plagiarism checker for free online. As a general rule, a legitimate business will always have some type of fee for their service, even if it can be bypassed with a simple review or social media post. With this in mind, you can upload and scan your essays with confidence that your property is protected.