Bangkok--26 Nov--Vero Public Relations
New BSA Report Documents Trends in Internet-Based Software Piracy, Chides Auction Sites, Offers Consumer Tips
Consumers should be extremely wary of buying discounted software or downloading free software from certain dubious Internet sites, according to a report released recently by the Business Software Alliance (BSA).
The report, entitled Online Software Scams: A Threat to Your Personal Security, describes the growing scope of the Internet piracy problem, the links to identity theft and other forms of cyber crime, and the steps that are needed to reduce Internet-based piracy.
“Although consumers may think they are getting a great deal when they buy discounted software online, the odds are high that they may not be getting the real deal. Instead, they could have purchased a substandard product which could contain various hidden security threats,” said Siripat Patrangul, Thailand spokesperson for the Business Software Alliance (BSA). “Buying directly from trusted software vendors and reputable retailers is the safer choice. If you choose to buy online, then proceed directly to the principal’s website.”
For example, according to a survey conducted by Forrester Research on behalf of BSA, one in five US consumers who purchased software online in 2006 experienced major problems such as not receiving their order or not receiving any product at all. The risks to consumers also include allowing criminals open access to sensitive personal and financial information, and infecting one’s computer with tools used in committing cyber crime.
The report also focuses special attention on the problem of pirated software being sold on auction sites such as eBay, where an estimated 50 to 90 percent of software products are either illegally obtained or pirated copies. Often these copies have been knowingly altered with malicious code or malware.
Earlier this year, Thai police arrested a 28 year-old man in northern Thailand for allegedly selling pirated software on the Internet for more than one year. The suspect’s business model was to advertise himself on various forums and other internet sites and then accept orders by email. He then burnt the CDs himself and went to the local post office and sent them to his customers. He accepted payments by ATM transfer. Many of the buyers were unaware that the software was illegally copied and possibly defective.
BSA-led Enforcement Efforts Aim to Protect Consumers
As a longtime leader in the fight against software piracy, BSA uses special technology to monitor auction sites and peer-to-peer networks, issuing “takedown requests” when it finds suspicious software being offered on such sites. In 2008, BSA has greatly expanded its ability to monitor auction sites and issue takedown requests, and as a result, BSA has nearly doubled the number of takedown notices sent to Internet Service Providers and tripled the number of notices sent to auction site providers.
Specifically, during the first half of 2008, BSA asked auction site providers to shut down more than 18,000 auctions offering 45,000 products worth a combined US$22 million. During the same period, BSA issued more than 48,000 notices related to “BitTorrent” peer-to-peer (P2P) files that were being used by as many as 633,000 people to download software worth an estimated US$525 million. Takedown notices aimed at Internet sources of pirated software reached a record 782,832.
Tarun Sawney, BSA’s Director of Anti Piracy for Asia noted, “The ever increasing growth of broadband in Asia has led to an escalation in illegal downloading of software via P2P. BSA sent over 72,000 takedown requests to ISPs based in Asia Pacific by the end of August this year alone. The largest numbers of such notices were sent to ISPs in China and Taiwan, with over 22,000 notices to each country.”
In Asia, 59 percent of all software found on desktop personal computers in 2007 were obtained illegally, with losses amounting to over US$14 billion, monies that could have been invested in new jobs and next-generation solutions to society’s needs. A separate 2008 study found that reducing software piracy in Asia by just 10 percentage points over a four year period could generate 435,000 new jobs, over US$40 billion in economic growth, and over US$5 billion in tax revenues.
“Software piracy’s impact extends to the economic health of a nation as a whole. In guarding against the purchase of dubious “discounted” software or downloading of “free” software from questionable sources, consumers are not only protecting themselves from scams and security threats, they are also helping to combat the software piracy problem,” said Sawney.
When necessary, BSA files civil lawsuits to try and stop Internet-based piracy and/or refers cases to government agencies for criminal prosecution. The report includes numerous case studies of software pirates who were caught and convicted of scamming unsuspecting consumers.
Auction Sites Must Do More; Consumers Must Protect Themselves
Given the growing role of auction sites in software piracy, BSA is calling on auction site providers to take new steps to protect consumers. Specifically, BSA is calling for auction site providers to work more closely with the industry to prevent software piracy; post clearer risk warnings to sellers and buyers; and eliminate the “Buy It Now” option for software purchases, which short-cuts the auction process and makes it harder to monitor and catch the scammers.
The report also offers useful consumer tips, including buying from legitimate sources; taking advantage of free software updates from the original publishers; being wary of products that don’t look genuine; and reporting suspected software fraud at www.bsacybersafety.com .
A copy of the report, Online Software Scams: A Threat to Your Personal Security, can be downloaded at www.bsa.org/internetreport .
About BSA
The Business Software Alliance (www.bsa.org) is the foremost organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal digital world. BSA is the voice of the world's software industry and its hardware partners before governments and in the international marketplace. Its members represent one of the fastest growing industries in the world. BSA programs foster technology innovation through education and policy initiatives that promote copyright protection, cyber security, trade and e-commerce. BSA members include Adobe, Agilent Technologies, Altium, Apple, Autodesk, Avid, Bentley Systems, Borland, CA, Cadence Design Systems, Cisco Systems, CNC Software/Mastercam, Corel, CyberLink, Dassault Syst?mes SolidWorks Corporation, Dell, EMC, Frontline PCB Solutions - An Orbotech Valor Company, HP, IBM, Intel, McAfee, Microsoft, Mindjet, Minitab, Monotype Imaging, NedGraphics, PTC, Quark, Quest Software, SAP, SAS Institute, Siemens, SPSS, Sybase, Symantec, Synopsys, Tekla, The MathWorks and Trend Micro. BSA local affiliates include Thai Software Enterprise.
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