Pirated software is used in Romania at alarming levels, although it was demonstrated a strong link between unlicensed software and cyber attacks.
In Romania, the level of software installed on computers without the appropriate license is 60 percent, but declining 2 percent compared to 2013, a BSA’s Seizing Opportunity Through License Compliance study reveals on Wednesday.
In 2010, unlicensed software in Romania reached a rate of 64 percent, the value of counterfeit software products amounting to USD 195 million. Users would like to use legal software, but don’t know how to make the difference between pirated and legal products.
The report reveals that many Directors of Information Technology (CIOs) simply don’t know how much software employees are installing on company networks. CIOs estimate that 15 percent of their employees load software on the network without their company’s knowledge, but nearly double the percentage of workers say they are loading software on the network that their company doesn’t know about.
CIOs said that avoiding security threats is a critical reason for ensuring the software running in their networks is legitimate and fully licensed. In fact, 49 percent of CIOs identified security threats from malware as a major threat posed by unlicensed software.
Last year, cyber attacks have occurred companies damages of over USD 400 billion globally.
The highest rates of unlicensed software installation were recorded in Libya – 90 percent, Zimbabwe – 90 percent, Algeria 85 percent, Iraq – 85 percent, Cameroon – 82 percent, Ivory Coast – 80 percent, Nigeria – 80 percent, Botswana – 79 percent.
39 percent of software installed on computers around the world in 2015 is not properly licensed, representing only a modest decrease from 43 percent in BSA’s previous global study in 2013.
In 2010, unlicensed software in Romania reached a rate of 64 percent, the value of counterfeit software products amounting to USD 195 million. Users would like to use legal software, but don’t know how to make the difference between pirated and legal products.