Security experts have warned UK companies to ensure that no
one in their organisation downloads heavily discounted commercial
software from hackers' group the Source Code Club
(SCC).
The group is selling Enterasys' Dragon intrusion detection system
for £8,650. The list price is £10,800 for a single user and up to
£162,000 for a 500-user licence.
The SCC claimed it could also provide other pirated products from
Fortune 100 companies on request. As Computer Weekly went to press,
the SCC site owners said their service had been suspended
temporarily, but experts believe it may re-emerge.
Butler Group research editor Alan Lawson said IT managers should
maintain good security policies to prevent employees dabbling with
illegal downloads. He also advised them to lock down parts of their
network to strengthen internal security.
Julian Heathcote-Hobbins, senior legal council for the Federation
Against Software Theft, said, "Do not be tempted to buy such
software - the subsequent installation and use will probably be
illegal, which will mean paying for it again on audit while living
with the product without support. Also, the company and managers
may on installation, and use, commit criminal offences."