MANILA, FEBRUARY 25, 2013 – Cybercrime is underestimated by the average person. However, this single organized activity can compromise bank accounts, personal and corporate information and, even, government data.
A study done by Microsoft’s Security Forensics team revealed that there are 69 percent of malware infection rate and 5,601 strains of malware and virus infections in its Southeast Asia sample – a total of 282 computers and DVDs.
Out of the 5,601 strains, it has been found that 1,898 bypass genuine checks and 3,703 are considered “hostile”, including the highly dangerous “Zeus” trojan, responsible for causing more than US$1 billion in global losses in the last five years, as cited in the RSA 2012 Cybercrime Trends Report.
Further findings from Microsoft further revealed pirated copies of Windows embedded with malware spread across numerous well-known PC brands, including: Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo and Samsung.
Microsoft believes that neither the counterfeit images nor the malware originated from – or were installed by – the individual PC manufacturers. Rather, the computers were likely shipped with non-Windows operating systems, which were later replaced by individuals in the downstream supply chain or retail channel who deal in the illegal duplication and distribution of pirated software.
“Many people assume that buying a name-brand PC is all that’s required to guarantee a good and safe computing experience. They don’t think twice about the software sold with the computer, and whether or not it’s pirated,” Keshav Dhakad, Microsoft director of Intellectual Property for Asia-Pacific and Japan, said.
“But consumers need to beware: while they might think there are great deals to be had by looking the other way, the hidden cost of pirated software is significant, and contrary to popular belief, can’t be remedied by simply running anti-virus software. If a consumer can’t verify that the computer they purchased was shipped with a pre-installed, genuine copy of Windows, their risk of exposure to viruses and spyware – and the potential for data corruption, theft, and financial loss – increases exponentially.”
Infection rates across the region varied significantly, the Philippines emerging with the lowest volume of malicious software and Vietnam and Thailand, highest. However, although the Philippines only clocked in 42 percent, it’s still a full two out of five computers and DVDs tested that were infected. In Vietnam, malware was found on 66 percent of the pirated DVDs and a full 92 percent of hard drives tested.
“To keep information safe from cybercriminals, people need to think twice about where they buy PCs,” Lito Averia, president of the Philippine Computer emergency Response Team (PHCERT), said. “As shown in this study, many unscrupulous retailers in Southeast Asia are selling big name PC brands to consumers with counterfeit, infected software. It’s important to remember that if you don’t know where your digital products come from, you never know what unwanted and dangerous nemeses come along for the ride.”
“Installations of these malware have very clear intent on what the perpetrators want to do – they want to know what you are accessing on the Internet or what you store in the computer,” Dhakad said.
More and more people entrust the computer to manage their lives, therefore, it is important to beware pirated software, Dhakad added.
Customers who suspect they’ve received pirated or counterfeit software are encouraged to report it at www.microsoft.com/piracy. Customers who report suspected violations can provide valuable insights and have a positive impact in the fight against piracy. Since 2007, the company has received more than 10,000 piracy reports from within SEA – many from people who bought a name-brand PC, paying more money to get “the real thing,” but ending up with far greater risk and liability at the hands of counterfeiters.
