Press release
Microsoft Office Genuine Advantage notifications program helps protect customers.
Aug. 25, 2009 - Starting today, Microsoft Office customers have a new way to help ensure the safety of their computers and protect themselves from counterfeit software through Office Genuine Advantage (OGA) notifications. The voluntary update helps ensure that customers have genuine Office and are able to avoid the pitfalls of non-genuine software.
"People who use non-genuine Microsoft Office are putting themselves at risk," said Peter King, Office Server Group Manager at Microsoft. "Non-genuine software has been shown to be more vulnerable to viruses and spyware, which can be used to damage a user's PC or steal personal information."
Genuine Office Helps Protect Customers
Microsoft is committed to protecting its customers and partners from counterfeit and pirated software. Counterfeit software has emerged as big business and is becoming an increasingly common way for criminals to deceive the public, and even steal personal information. By using genuine Microsoft Office, customers help avoid the risks and viruses associated with non-genuine software. Genuine software is supported by Microsoft or an authorized partner, provides the full capabilities of the software you purchased and the confidence you are getting the experience you expect.
In testing on pirated software, International Data Corporation (IDC) found that 43 percent of tested software had some spyware, malware or other added binaries. The cost to recover from a single incident of malicious software on a single workstation can be more than $1,000 (U.S.).1
OGA notifications is delivered as an update that the user can install voluntarily. If it finds the user has non-genuine Microsoft Office, OGA notifications presents a dialog box alert and provides the user with options to get genuine software and secure the PC. OGA notifications will have no impact on customers using genuine Microsoft Office and does not affect the way Microsoft Office works on individual computers.
People who find they are the victim of counterfeit software can submit a report to Microsoft and may be eligible to receive a complimentary copy of Microsoft Office. Other users will choose to take advantage of current price promotions including Office Home and Student 2007 for £75.35.
Genuine Office Helps Local Economies
Software piracy can hurt local economies by taking business away from legitimate vendors. According to a recent Microsoft study, every U.S. dollar spent on genuine Microsoft products produces about $5 (U.S.) in value for local partners.2 By promoting the use of genuine Office, Microsoft is helping to create opportunities and level the playing field for partners that distribute genuine Office.
"My business depends on providing customers with the secure and reliable software they expect - that's why we only sell genuine Office. OGA notifications helps customers understand the difference between genuine and non-genuine software, and that helps me compete and grow my local business," said Zak Virdi, Managing Director, SoftwareOne UK Ltd.
About OGA notifications
The OGA notifications program is part of Microsoft's larger Genuine Software Initiative aimed at helping protect Microsoft's customers and partners from counterfeiters through education, engineering and enforcement of policies and laws. In May 2008, the OGA notifications program was released in Italy, Spain, Turkey and Chile, and in January 2009 an additional 23 countries were added.
