----- Original Message -----
From: "Brenda Dencer" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2004 5:54 PM
Subject: [PCSOFT] discount software
I received this email and several others like it and want to know your opinions of the honesty, reliability, and
quality of their service and products.
Thanks, Brenda Dencer
~~~~~~
Looking for not expensive high-quality software?
Our site might be just what you need.
http://caldera.soft-dindon.biz
We offer Software to download or it can be shipped to you on CD.
Here is some of the software you can get on our site:
Adobe Photoshop CS 8.0 - 40$
Microsoft Windows XP PRO SP1 + Microsoft Office System Professional 2003 FOR 80$
Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Enterprise Edition - 55$
And more!
We are able to ship worldwide.
Hi Brenda,
I think you already suspect the answer. Here is an article from Kim Komando's Newsletter.
MY WEEKLY COLUMN: Cheap Software via Spam is probably a Scam
Spam advertisements hawking popular software at bargain-basement prices
are flooding the Internet. More often than not, it's literally a steal
of a deal. Most of these deals are hawking counterfeit software.
In the early days, counterfeit software was created by a few hackers.
Today, global organized crime gangs have taken over the business. The
Italian Mafia, Russian mob, Middle Eastern terrorists and Columbian
drug cartels are all taking part, according to executives from
Microsoft and security experts. Using sophisticated methods, they
create software nearly identical to the real thing.
Financially, they're reaping the rewards. The Business Software
Alliance, which battles counterfeiting, says piracy cost software
makers over $13 billion in 2002, the latest year available. The U.S
software industry alone lost over $6 billion.
How does it work?
Counterfeiters buy legitimate software and copy the box design, plastic
wrapping and certificate of authenticity. Or, they break into software
distributing houses and steal the goods. Using expensive copiers,
thousands of CDs are created in a day.
Web sites are set up, offering incredible deals. Most sites are
established overseas, far from U.S. law. You'll find traditionally
expensive titles such as Microsoft Office 2003 or Adobe Photoshop
at 60 to 70 percent under retail.
To direct potential customers to the Web site, millions of inboxes
are spammed. Even a small response rate equals a big profit.
In some cases, the spam looks like it comes from such legitimate
sources as Amazon.com. But that is not the case. The criminals design
the e-mails to make them look legitimate, down to return addresses.
A customer who buys such a program could get working software.
But the industry says customers are more likely to receive non-working
products, or perhaps nothing at all.
There is little recourse for customers who are cheated. If a Web site
is maintained overseas, the money is probably lost forever. Complaints
can be filed with the Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org) and
the Business Software Alliance (http://www.bsa.org), but customers
shouldn't hold their breath.
Pirated software can do more damage than just taking your money.
According to Jenny Blank, director of enforcement for the Business
Software Alliance, you don't know what you are getting when you buy
pirated software. The programs sometimes have bugs or viruses. You
could ruin your computer by trying to save a few bucks.
Pirated software has a detrimental effect on the economy as well.
More than 100,000 U.S. jobs and over $5 billion in lost wages can
be attributed to counterfeiters, according to researchers.
You can avoid falling prey to counterfeiters through four easy steps:
1. Read the advertisement carefully. Most counterfeiters operate
overseas. Grammar and spelling are often substandard. If you notice
spelling mistakes or awkward English, step carefully.
2. Too-good-to-be-true prices are usually just that. If you see
$300 software selling for $20, chances are it's not legitimate.
3. Be leery of groups of products on one CD. For example, Adobe
Photoshop and Microsoft Word would never be sold together as a package.
4. Investigate the company selling the software. The Better Business
Bureau keeps reliability reports on most companies. Avoid a company
that has many unresolved complaints. Also, companies that don't list
contact information on the Web site aren't worth your business.
Learning how to avoid counterfeit software is important. It stops
putting money into the pockets of criminals, and keeps it in yours.
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