Swedes Harbor Pirates, But Don't Use Their Warez
Artwork: Chip TaylorMore people use pirated software in Australia than in Sweden -- home of a popular pirate site -- according to a report by research firm IDC.
A separate telephone survey of 1100 Australians conducted last month by Galaxy Research and commissioned by Microsoft Australia, found up to 64 percent would use pirated software for personal use.
Of the 82 percent of respondents that owned a computer, more than half (59 percent) draw no distinction between pirated and genuine software.
Some 47 percent reported they are unsure or are unable to verify if their software is legal.
Microsoft Australia business consumer product manager Steve Johns said users are jeopardizing computer security by using pirated software.
"While the survey found that virtually every [respondent] considers it important to keep their computer safe from viruses and online threats, people are putting themselves at risk by using pirated software," Johns said in a written statement.
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