Illegitimate Software Increases Organizations’ Vulnerability To Security Threats

In its recently conducted study, KPMG highlights that illegitimate computer programs could be a reason for organizations to suffer disruptions in their regular operations as such software adversely affects companies' infrastructure of system security.

Evidently, utilization of illegitimate software not only affects individual computer users but also company networks by imposing severe security problems. Thus, companies that deploy inexpensive or phony software from the Net could actually be downloading malware.

KPMG, meanwhile, to conduct its research, examined 50 websites that presented illegitimate software and/or tools to use such software plus key generators. Thereafter the research showed that over 60% of the 50 websites consisted of threat components of different severity degrees that could apparently affect security of information systems.

Furthermore according to the research, a computer running illegitimate software can potentially make detrimental influence on a network's general security. Hackers in large numbers create potentially harmful software products masked as applications having valuable functionalities that they distribute as bait to unwitting end-users.

Consequently, computers of these end-users could be added to botnets as well as be commanded and controlled for launching voluminous attacks. PCs, which are most affected belong to students in large numbers who rarely or never spend money to acquire business software programs.

Additionally, the study reveals that organizations running illegitimate software have 43% chances of experiencing critical systems collapse.

Further, it has IT security repercussions affecting corporate and government organizations as also individuals whilst installing illegitimate software, KPMG stated.

In the meantime, a study by Ipsos Public Affairs in USA puts this number at 61% worldwide out of which 27% employ Peer-to-Peer network sharing for downloading illegitimate programs.

One other study by IDC recently suggests that over half i.e. 59% of crack tools and key generators downloaded from peer-to-peer websites carry malware, suggesting how the global community is vulnerable to security threats on account of use of illegitimate software.

Thus, based on these results, KPMG recommends taking down legitimate software from genuine websites as well as summons for the implementation of more stringent rules towards restraining the deployment of bogus programs so that related security repercussions can be avoided.

Related article: Illegitimate Invasions At Big US Enterprises Increased 26% During 2010

» SPAMfighter News - 9/12/2009