The Silicon Review ^Asia

Microsoft revealed that 91 percent of new PC users in India use pirated software, as per an analysis conducted by the tech giant. Other than India, there are nine other nations which use a high-level of pirated software. 

As per the analysisthe percentage of pirated software ranks in the following fashion, India (91 percent), Indonesia (90 percent), Taiwan (73 percent), the Philippines (43 percent) and Singapore (55percent).Among the worst are Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam, and Malaysia –with new computers loaded with 100 percent pirated software.

Between May and July this year, Microsoft purchased 166 PCs from the nine countries. As per the results, 22 PCs were from different shops in India and out of which, 20 PCs were loaded with pirated software. Moreover, 17 PCs had malware. The overall test results show that 137 out of the 166 PCs or 83 percent of the PCs were loaded with pirated software.

According to Mary Jo Schrade, Regional Director of Digital Crimes Unit, Asia, Microsoft Singapore, usually, pirated software is cheaper and using it will lead to system damage due to viruses like Trojan. People can’t comprise on their PCs as it can lead to breaching of personal information and lead to system access, which can possibly lead to bitcoin mining among other illegal activities.

When customer purchase pirated software from the vendors which may contain malware, it will not only help to spread the malware but put their personal information and digital identity at the mercy of cybercriminals.