Don’t Walk the Plank with Pirated Software

 

Although it may seem like a cost-effective solution, using pirated software can actually be more expensive in the long run. Not only could you face legal penalties if you’re caught, but using unlicensed software also puts your business at risk for data breaches and other security vulnerabilities. So before you take the plunge and break the law to save some money, here are four reasons why using pirated software is not worth the risk.

Pirated or Unsupported Software – One of the biggest cybersecurity risks is using pirated or unsupported software. When software is pirated, it means that it has been illegally copied and distributed. Unsupported software is software that is no longer being updated or supported by the manufacturer. Both pirated and unsupported software can be full of security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cybercriminals.

Employee Downloads – Another big risk is employees downloading unauthorized software or files from the internet. While many of these downloads may be harmless, some can contain malware that can infect your system. Additionally, employees may inadvertently download files that contain sensitive company information, which can put your business at risk of a data breach.

Cybercrime – Of course, one of the biggest risks to any business is cybercrime. Cybercriminals are constantly coming up with new ways to exploit vulnerabilities in systems in order to steal data or money. Businesses of all sizes are at risk of being targeted by cybercriminals, and the damages caused by a successful attack can be significant.

Poor Cybersecurity Practices – Finally, another big risk to businesses is poor cybersecurity practices. This includes things like not patching systems regularly, not using strong passwords, and not backing up data properly. Poor cybersecurity practices can make it easy for cybercriminals to gain access to your system and cause serious damage.

Unauthorized software downloads are just one of the many dangers facing your business data today. By managing admin rights and providing regular cyber security awareness training, you can help protect your business from these risks. If you need help finding genuine software for your business or creating a cyber security plan, our team of experts is here to help. Contact us today to get started.