Maurice sees an increasing number of " accidental pirates , "people who unwittingly buy counterfeit or pirated software resellers and realize only after they have been deceived. They may be exposed to many risks, which in the long term can be extremely costly for individuals and often disastrous for business.
Dale Waterman, Microsoft's Legal Adviser for Anti Piracy for the Middle East and Africa , stated that " each year, consumers and local businesses are affected by counterfeit software they acquired unwittingly . "
Microsoft has confirmed in a statement that the Windows COA should only be distributed with the Microsoft software they are supposed accompany.
Using pirated or counterfeit software can also expose users to spyware, malicious viruses that can lead to identity theft, loss of data and failures of their system.
Microsoft advises consumers to learn how to check if a software or equipment is original, and visit the Microsoft website. Wednesday March 28, Anti-Piracy Unit of the Drug and Contraband Brigade had got hold of counterfeit products to the detriment of U.S. giant Microsoft at straws. 483 fake certificates of authenticity for Home and Office software for Windows 7 had been seized.