Tackling Malicious Content inside Counterfeit Software can mean $144bn in Losses during 2013

IDC a research company, which recently conducted one study named "The Dangerous World of Counterfeit and Pirated Software" for Microsoft, found that tackling malicious software within fake computer programs is going to make global businesses expend about $144bn during 2013, thus published computerweekly.com dated March 25, 2013.

Further, while conducting the research in connection with the risks associated with counterfeit or pirated software, the study found that the probable costs following data-hacks were likely to amount almost $350bn.

The worldwide research for its study examined 108 software programs taken from the Net, 155 DVDs/CDs, and 270 Peer-to-Peer PC sharing networks and websites. Moreover, it interviewed 258 Chief Information Officers or IT Managers and 2,077 consumers across USA, Mexico, UK, Brazil, Poland, Germany, Russia, China, India and Thailand.

Explaining 'pirated software' and 'counterfeit software,' researchers stated that the former was inappropriately licensed alternatively not at all whereas the latter was software which was deceptively offered as authentic whilst really being false.

Evidently, cyber-criminals popularly implant malicious software onto counterfeit software towards contaminating computers belonging to gullible businesses and households.

Additionally, the study finds that end-users spend an aggregate 1.5bn hours in detecting as well as mending the destruction on their computers/laptops caused due to malware.

Mentioning the prime advantage of pirated software, the research company states such software is likely to favor consumers in downloading them since the otherwise genuine versions would cost significantly for just acquiring, to begin with. However, it carries the risk about pulling down malicious content at the rate of 1:3. Businesses run the risk at 3:10.

Amazingly, total counterfeit software, which isn't shipped with PCs, includes 45% downloaded online. A scary disclosure suggests that 78% of total counterfeit software acquired via accessing P2P networks or websites contain spyware, whilst 36% have adware and Trojans.

Therefore, according to Associate General Counsel David Finn of Microsoft Cyber-crime Center, as counterfeit software developers meddle with original applications by incorporating malware into them, for securing oneself as also his property from such malicious programs while purchasing a PC, end-users should ask for only genuine software, published The Economic Times dated March 25, 2013.

Related article: Tackling Well-Planned Cybercrime Requires Fresh Defenses

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