To safeguard enterprises, software resellers come under check
There are three in 10 chances of infection by unexpected malware for businesses that use pirated software, which could result in huge financial losses. This is according to research by International Data Corporation (IDC) commissioned by Microsoft Corporation. As a result of these infections, the research shows that users will spend several hours and huge sums of money identifying, repairing and recovering from the impact of malware.
According to the report, malware records the user’s every keystroke, allowing cybercriminals to steal the person’s personal and financial information or remotely switches on an infected computer’s microphone and video camera, giving cybercriminals eyes and ears in boardrooms and living rooms. So, users are encouraged to secure themselves from these malware threats when they buy a computer by demanding genuine software. Bu most consumers and resellers get lured into buying pirated software because these are usually cheaper. To curb unfair play in the software industry, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun a series of enforcement activities by raiding the premises of software counterfeiters and resellers.
According to a statement by Microsoft, the premises of Maris & Baker, which is alleged to be a popular High Quality Counterfeit (HQC) software reseller with head office in the Ikeja area, Lagos, was raided by the commission recently. In the statement, the incursion is just the first in a series of enforcement activities aimed at curbing unfair play in the country, and it came after months of intense market intelligence, several mystery shopping exercises and warnings to counterfeit syndicates.
Francis Chuka Agbu, a senior advocate of Nigeria and Microsoft Corporation’s local outside counsel in Nigeria, said “counterfeit software is a cankerworm that is eating through the fabric of societies all over the world. Their prevalence has a lot to do with the sophisticated and organised syndicate of pirates but also can be traced to the resellers who propagate their use.” Speaking further, particularly to resellers, he added, “These resellers of pirated software must also realise that they will be punished for contravening the law and putting people’s livelihoods as well as the economy of the country as a whole at risk. To win this fight against copyright infringements, it must be a joint effort of regulators as well as resellers.”
The statement also explained that in a study conducted by the International Data Corporation (IDC) recently, the chances of infection by unexpected malware are one in three for consumers using pirated software and three in 10 for businesses. More critical, warns the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is the threat of malware-induced cyber-attacks. Criminal syndicates that are often behind the sale of pirated software, use infected computers to launch attacks against entire networks. These spread through shared connections to a home, business, or even government network – crippling economies and endangering intellectual property.
Temofe Ugbona, anti-piracy manager, Microsoft Nigeria, said “software piracy is unfair play that ultimately hurts us all. Economic growth in Nigeria is thwarted by piracy – pirated software does not create jobs for students, developers, or IT professionals. This is one of the key reasons we take responsibility to educate consumers, resellers and retailers about the risks through enlightenment campaigns, market education session etc. – and support local enforcement efforts by authorities like the EFCC – extremely seriously.”
Temofe added: “We have noticed a rising number of consumers unintentionally purchase counterfeit software from resellers and only later finding out they have been duped. In doing so, they expose themselves to a plethora of risks, which in the long-run can prove extremely costly for individuals, and often disastrous for businesses. Honest resellers, who sell only genuine software, are put on an unfair disadvantage, and ultimately the whole economy feels the effects.”
The Microsoft team urged consumers who have purchased suspected pirated software, or have information on resellers selling pirated software to contact the corporation. Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is adjudged the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.
By: OLUYINKA ALAWODE