Federation Against Software Theft (FAST) chairman Geoff Webster has
used the revelation that UK police forces are using illegal
software as proof that it is easy to fool organisations into buying
counterfeit products.
The illegal software, falsely labelled Microsoft, has been used
by Special Branch officers in Britain’s 55 forces over the last
year, admitted a spokesman for the Association of Chief Police
Officers (ACPO).
Webster told MicroScope: “The problem with counterfeit software
is sometimes it is so good, and it is sold pretty much at the price
you would expect, so it leaves you unsuspecting.
“It is essentially the same as buying a stolen car. If you buy
software, believing it to be legitimate, and you find out after
parting with your money that it is not, you are stuck with having
to buy another set of the same software and that is a very
expensive and painful lesson.”
The software, purchased on the recommendation of Hampshire
Police, was traced back to a Hampshire company called Protocol
Solutions. Four men — including a former superintendent from the
Hampshire force — were arrested after the discovery. It is expected
to cost up to £5m of taxpayers money to replace the software.
Webster added: “The most simple and effective way to protect
yourself is to check if your supplier is accredited and to make
sure after-sales technical support is available.”