Working and learning remotely under the new normal has increased the risk of cyber attacks, according to the Business Software Alliance (BSA).
While BSA has yet to provide data, senior director Tarun Sawney said this is due to widespread use of unlicensed software as consumers and business adopt to the new normal.
Unlicensed software are often packaged with malware or contains security vulnerabilities that leave devices open to attack, BSA said.
Based on BSA’s study, there is one in three chance to encounter malware when unlicensed is installed. Companies may have to spend up tot $10,000 per computer or about $2.4 million when malware infects an entire organization which is far higher than the average cost of a legitimate software.
BSA is leading a Asean Safeguard Campaign which offers free consultation to 40,000 companies across the region towards full software legalization.
Sawney said cyber risks can increase when using unlicensed software at home when compared to offices or schools which have structures like firewalls. Accessing work from a home or personal device can also be gateways to cyber criminals to attack users on the internet.
Anselmo Adriano, chairman of the Optical Media Board (OMB), said the agency has expanded its crackdown not just on physical software piracy but also on online piracy such as those downloaded over the internet, as well as magnetic media and cloud storage.
Electronic commerce platforms are also being monitored for pirated items, Adriano added.
With the current trend not just piracy on the streets but also online, OMB is focused on the importers and distributors and is in close collaboration with organizations such as the Asia Video Industry Association coalition against piracy.
From January to June, OMB has seized 11,941 pieces of storage devices. 100,257 pieces of blank discs, and 54,330 pieces of pirated DVDs.
