Microsoft says global PC users will spend 22 billion dollars on malware-News Center

"Sadie Network News" March 26, according to foreign media reports, according to a Microsoft commissioned market research company IDC published a research report, the global computer users will spend 1.5 billion hours and 22 billion of dollars to identify, repair and respond to the impact of malicious software. At the same time, global companies will use 114 billion of dollars to deal with the impact of malware-induced cyber attacks.

While some computer users may be actively seeking to use pirated software to save money, one-third of consumers and 30% of businesses will be affected by unintended malware, the report said.

The reality of cyber crime is that the Pirates tamper with the software and add malicious software. Some malware records every action that a person knocks on a keyboard, allowing cyber criminals to steal personal and financial information, or to open microphones and cameras on infected computers remotely, allowing cyber criminals to see or hear about boardroom and living rooms.

"When you buy a computer, the best way to keep yourself and your property safe is to ask for genuine software," said David Finn, Deputy legal advisor at Microsoft's Cyber-crime center, David Finn.

The report, "A dangerous world of counterfeit and pirated software," was released as part of Microsoft's "Play It Safe" campaign. The global plan is to make people aware of problems related to software piracy.

The global study analyzed 270 Web sites and Peer-to-peer networks, 180 software downloads and 155 CDs or DVDs and interviewed 2,077 consumers and 258 IT managers and CIOs in Brazil, China, Germany, India, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Thailand, the UK and the United States.

According to the study, 64% of respondents know that people who use pirated software have had security problems, and that in 45% of the time they are in trouble, pirated software reduces the speed of the computer and must uninstall the software. Up to 48% of respondents said their biggest concern with pirated software was data loss, while 29% per cent were most concerned about identity theft.