Latest update December 4th, 2024 2:40 AM
Guyanese are using “pirated” computer software
The Guyana National Computer Incident Response Team (GNCIP) is advising that many Guyanese computer home users are using Microsoft Windows in an unlicensed manner.
The GNCIP, which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Public Security, is affiliated to the Computer Incidents Response Team-Guyana (CIRT-GY), which oversees the local cyber landscape, and lends technical assistance, sends advisories and alerts regarding cyber attacks and provides literature and tips on cyber security.
In a statement issued through the ministry, the GNCIP said that Guyanese computer home owners risk not being able to benefit from Microsoft security updates.
According to the GNCIP, most Guyanese computers are fitted with pirated or cracked software, which is a process of reverse engineering done by local computer experts to make up for the absence of license keys provided officially by Microsoft.
The local cyber watchdog body explained that the Software can be classified as either proprietary or open source. Proprietary software is protected under copyright law. Typically, to use proprietary software such as Microsoft Windows, license keys need to be acquired from the vendor to properly activate the software.
The GNCIP said that these license keys are acquired by purchasing a license to use the software.
According to the GNCIP, some individuals can determine this license key by a process called reverse engineering and offer a version of the software free for download online.
This is referred to as ‘cracking’ or ‘pirating’ of software. It is illegal in many countries to use and distribute pirated software.
Distributors of ‘pirated’ or ‘cracked’ software, modify the original software produced by vendors like Microsoft.
The GNCIP warned that in modifying the software, they can introduce malware and backdoors which expose corporate and personal data.
“Typically, the average Guyanese personal computer user purchases a desktop, laptop or tablet and the cost for the operating system and software installed on the device is usually included in the total cost for the system. Problems typically arise when the computer develops a hardware or software problem or if the hard disk fails. Under these circumstances, an operating system reload becomes necessary and some computer technicians will download a ‘cracked’ version of Microsoft Windows and other Productivity and Utility Software to get the system back up and running,” the GNCIP explained.
The problem with using cracked operating systems/software is first and foremost an ethical issue, because it is theft and violation of intellectual property and copyrighted material.
Secondly, the operating system/software that is being downloaded is not authentic and often does contain malware which infects a user’s system and can open a host of backdoors for stealing of information.
Microsoft is currently offering a free Windows 10 Upgrade and eligible users should consider upgrading their systems.
Some home users and some small businesses are still using Microsoft XP and since this is a discontinued (no support, no new updates or patches) version of Microsoft Windows, XP users are at risk of being upgraded to a cracked new version of Microsoft Windows together with a cracked version of Microsoft Office if special attention is not paid to copyright issues during the reloading and upgrading of their computer system.
According to GNCIP, the issue of cracked, pirated and unlicensed software being used in Government Ministries and Agencies was highlighted at the public hearings of the Public Service Commission of Inquiry.
Guyana National CIRT wishes to advise the general public that there are free alternatives to using cracked Operating System / software.
“We are of the view that if citizens become aware that there are other software on the internet which are free of cost and can provide similar functionality and are more secure, that they would choose these options over stealing software and using insecure Operating System /software.
Two months ago, CIRT-GY in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs hosted a workshop, which was aimed at building capacity to detect, prevent and fight cyber crime.
That workshop was sponsored by the Organization of American States (OAS).
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