Corporation (IDC) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) has identified African markets as responsible for 10 percent of global cybercrime activities.

The menace, which according to the report costs global enterprises over $315 billion annually, is expected to add nearly $500 billion to the expenses of enterprises globally in 2014, as they deal with problems caused by malware deliberately loaded on pirated software. Another $127 billion will be expended on security issues, with $8 billion accruing from the Middle East and Africa, and $364 billion dealing with data breaches respectively, according to the report.

“Using pirated software is like walking through a field of landmines: you don’t know when you’ll come upon something nasty, but if you do, it can be very destructive,” said John Gantz, chief researcher at IDC.

Gantz noted that the potential losses from malware infestation “could leave once-profitable businesses on shaky ground”.

He therefore advised businesses against buying pirated software which is common in several African countries, stressing, “Buying legitimate software is less expensive in the long run; at least you know that you won’t get anything ‘extra’ in the form of malware.”

The study, which noted that Africa accounts for just two percent of global GDP, but currently accounts for 10 percent of global cybercrime incidents, noted that stakeholders must join hands to battle the scourge of piracy and cybercrime. This, according to the study was the basis for Microsoft’s partnership with the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to combat piracy.

“There is now a firm link between the detected malware on illicit software and criminal organizations, for whom malware in pirated software can be a lucrative vector for cyberattacks,” said Daniel Kamau, Anti-piracy lead for sub-Saharan Africa, Microsoft.

The study was released as part of Microsoft’s Play It Safe campaign, a global initiative to create greater awareness of the connection between malware and piracy.

Microsoft, while marking the “The Microsoft Play it Safe Day”, stated that the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) would like to remind all Nigerians that: “Supplying pirated software material is a criminal offence under The Copyright Act, which can earn the supplier, a fine of up to a 1000 Naira for each offending item and or a custodial sentence of up to 5 years in prison. Furthermore, anyone who buys pirated software material may find themselves being charged as an accessory to a criminal offence.

“Apart from the criminal charge; supplying pirated software material, is also a civil infringement of the copyright owners rights; which apart from the criminal sentence, can also simultaneously attract heavy monetary damages against the offending supplier.”

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