Small business risks due to pirated software 1
I will not attempt to ride a high horse when it comes to matters of software piracy but more seek to address the underlying issues and cost benefit analysis of going genuine. We are just beginning to embrace the concept of enterprise cloud solutions which means that in years past and currently, may small businesses are powered by pirated software. Many times, the capital constraints of setting up a business result to the cutting of corners and the constant casualty of this “cost snipping” exercise is software. Many SME’s don’t grasp the attendant risks of using software illegitimately. I choose to use the term “ illegitimate” as I find pirating rather brutal as often times small business owners are not properly educated on the options available. Many IT consultants simply provide only the cost argument and there’s no guessing which way a decision will tip if one is to get the same product with all the bells and whistles and at a remarkably knocked off rate.
The funny thing is that this is even applied to software meant to protect your very own computer! Hiring a thug to watch your gate when you are not home is the equivalent of what most many SME’s are doing when downloading cracks, keygens and serial generators to try reap the benefits of acquired software.
I once setup a website for a small two person real estate provided listings for rental houses, land and commercial properties. As startup operation they also enquired about purchase of computers etc, which I gave apt direction. However the feedback on the costs was not favorable; “ can we not get it for less? I am sure there are ways”. I have no idea why many computer users {techies not included here} shy away from the use of open source applications. In this particular case, Open Office was suggested but to the client, it looked weird and the Thunderbird mail client “didn’t look right”. Well, it was up to them to source what they wanted or where they wanted. My job was done in the web front.
It was months later that an SOS for pro bono consultation came as they had lost access to their computer after an attempted installation and activation of the latest Office suite which had been acquired at a mzuri price that even I was asked if I wanted a copy 
{Kenyans and our generosity}
Typical of many IT setups, there had been no backup of their files, emails etc and what had happened is that the serial generator had come bundled with a virus that proved to be quite a headache to deal with. Lesson one – not all keygens and serials are created equal and just the same way that there is a learning curve to becoming an expert Googler, these things require abit of skill in fishing out the booby trapped ones {disclaimer: that is just a statement of fact and not support of kegen use lest you go all bonkers on me}
The final solution to this fine mess that was caused by a cheaply available copy of software offered on “as is ” basis with no guarantee save for the price was to format the PC and start from scratch. While I cannot calculate the value of lost data, what I know for a fact is that it did cost time, money and effort to get back to where they were. A scenario which could have been avoided.
That said, the choice is really yours.
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Microsoft is running an amnesty campaign where you can get to confirm if you are using legit software. More information on this can be found at www.buygenuine.co.ke
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