"Customers unknowingly purchasing counterfeit software are not only losing out on product updates and technical support, they're also putting themselves – or their business – at significant risk" - eBay

It's not uncommon to be offered cheap Microsoft Windows software, and if it happens to you, beware! Think risky, very risky. Most victims of such ploys end up with costly software snarl-ups and soon realise they have made a horribly expensive mistake.

If you think that the bargain-priced software you found online is too good to be true - chances are it is. A recent study by International Data Corporation (IDC)* revealed alarming trends among websites offering counterfeit or pirated Windows software: 25% of websites surveyed infiltrate software systems with viruses, spyware or Trojan horses – many of which are too sophisticated for current anti-virus software.

Remember, recovering a single infected machine can be pricey, while the costs of lost data and reduced worker productivity can be even higher. One single security breach caused by pirated software can wipe out the perceived "savings" – and more. "Bargain" software on physical media also carries a range of risks:

• 34% simply do not work
• 65% contained additional software not part of the original program
• Many bypass the normal activation process, leaving your system vulnerable to hackers.

All of this means you are likely to lose valuable data and be at high risk of identity theft and costly downtime for your organisation. To learn more about the risks of counterfeit software, download the IDC report (296k).

With genuine Microsoft software, you can help keep your business firmly on the safe side. It gives you access to important security updates and technical support, helps protect your organisation from legal hassles, and gives you the confidence that your software will work just as hard as you do.

Find out more about the benefits of genuine Microsoft software.