Don’t risk pirate Microsoft Office – here’s why

Don’t use Office that much? Perhaps not, but the money spent on genuine MS Office far outstrips the risks run with a pirate, illegal (yes, it’s illegal) copy of Microsoft Office – here’s why.

Even if it seems like too much of a financial outlay, year-after-year, to pay for the subscription service, for example, of Microsoft 365, you should not ever be tempted to opt for a free download of Office, or Microsoft 365, or any other dubious, potentially pirated copy.

The risks you will run for using a pirate copy of Office are many, with some long-term and reputational consequences that will only end up costing you more, including financially, in the end.

Need convincing further?

Here are the reasons you shouldn’t consider using pirate MS Office:

It’s illegal

We’ll say it again. It’s illegal. Using any pirate software is illegal.

Microsoft could take action against you for using a cracked copy, including a heavy fine, or even a more severe penalty.

If you wonder if Microsoft will know, we guarantee they will. Each genuine download of MS office has a product key, which the company track with ease, allowing one IP address for a single installation. If the same IP address is used again, or multiple times, they can see this and know a pirate version is being used.

If you decide at a later date to use a genuine version of MS Office, you must uninstall the pirate copy. But beware, the pirate copy could have left malware on your computer.

If you need help to remove malware, get in touch.

Your security is at risk

You have no way of knowing what is hidden in illegitimate software. Cybercriminals will often hide malware in pirate software, which have grave consequences for your system. Your activity could be tracked, with personal details being stolen or your system suspended for ransom. Using pirate software poses a giant risk to your security and that of your business, and customers.

If you’re concerned that you may have malware on your computer/s and need professional advice and help to remove it, get in touch.

Your reputation is at risk

It may be obvious to your clients, customers, colleagues and associates, particularly when you try to collaborate on files, or send files and documents, that you are using an inauthentic copy of Microsoft Office. Their response will not be a positive one – can you risk that?

Using risky software does not reflect well on you, both from a trust and decision-making point of view.

You won’t get full functionality

This may seem like a small reason not to use pirate MS Office, when there are really serious reasons not to, but you have to ask yourself, what is the point, if you can’t even access all the functionality of the software?

And, as you won’t get updates, you won’t get any new features.

We’re likening it to buying a car with three and a half wheels – pointless. Particularly as paying the extra gives you the ability to really fly in terms of business efficiency, communication, collaboration and functionality.

You won’t get updates

This isn’t just about not getting the updates that deliver new features, it’s also about not getting technical and security updates for fixes and improvements. You’re on your own with pirate software and any resulting impacts, including poor user experience.

No technical support

As with the above – you are on your own, because you won’t be able to access Microsoft’s technical support.

It depends on your own technical abilities to some extent, but if anything goes wrong, a reassuring fix is unlikely.

If you need technical support and assistance, you can get in touch with the experts and we will help you.

Annoying pop-ups

We hope you’ve read enough to convince you it’s not worth using pirate MS Office, but we’ll leave this last reason here just in case.

Every time you use pirate software you are likely to get irritating popups letting you know you’re using an illegitimate version. Can you handle that? Not including the effect on your productivity, the effect on your confidence, own ways of working and operation are all likely to be extremely negative.

It’s easy to get the genuine Microsoft Office

Office 365 is easy and quick to install, use and get up and running with, for most, if not all, of your business functions. The fears and risks associated with pirate software need be of no concern and you can operate your business and all online activity with confidence and assurance.

Get in touch with our team today. 

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