Warning Computer Hardware and Software Imposters
JUNE 1998
Every month I will try to answer all the questions you might have in this column. You can forward your questions to me at bob@aain.com Also, I intend to take out the magic, myth and mystery of using your computer. This column will focus on helping you whether you are computer impaired or a strong user.
I will answer some of the most common questions that I am asked by people who own computers and those thinking of purchasing a computer.
I was told I bought counterfeit hardware and software?
It is highly possible you have purchased a counterfeit. I strongly recommend when purchasing any software or hardware to buy strictly and directly from the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) of the Software or Hardware. As an example we are the OEM's of our Software. Their is a tremendous amount of counterfeiting going on today of both Hardware and Software that even your trusted local supplier may be fooled, the counterfeits are that good and cannot be detected by the naked eye from the actual Hardware or Software or its packaging.
If the old Gangsters of Chicago were alive today they would not be bootlegging Liquor or running numbers on Chicago's South side. Their rackets would be more profitable and less dangerous - such as selling fake mice and bogus copies of Office 2000 or Windows 98.
Stiffing consumers with counterfeit Hardware and Software
is a Multimillion-dollar business that's attracting attention of organized crime
rings from the Russian Mafia to the Pacific Rim Triads. This includes Hardware
such as CPU's and RAM, Software such as Games, Windows 98, Microsoft Office
2000 and many more, Hardware Peripherals such as Mica and Modems, counterfeiters,
alter and misrepresent almost anything they can to make a quick buck off the
trusting and sometimes in most cases unaware consumers. The counterfeiters keep
at it. Last April it was reported on seizures of bogus Microsoft Certificates
of Authenticity in California, forged copies of Office 97 in
Counterfeiting is done in many ways to your Hardware, which includes remarking CPU chips, and over clocking them for higher speeds. The same thing is a practice that is not limited to CPU's but to Modems and other Hardware.
Software counterfeiting is more prevalent and quantifiable. While most hardware firms cannot track how many fakes are out in the market, Software companies can easily attest to the number of counterfeit CD-ROMS recovered during law enforcement seizures. In January, Microsoft recovered 55,000 bogus copies of Office 97, worth about $55 million - and that's an illicit load that cannot be rooted out by drug-sniffing dogs and would never attract the attention of a nosy beat police officer. Counterfeit CD-ROMS can be perfect dupes that work as expected, partial dupes, beta dupes, or corrupted dupes. And you would be surprised by how phony their bogus package really is when observed with a trained eye.
I can go on with this but I rather point out some of the dangers to you. To begin with more times then not counterfeits do not work they way they intend to and the underlying problems will not be spotted right away. They can in the majority of situations cause problems for your hardware and software not to work right in the future. They can contain viruses. Overclocked hardware cannot only burn out before it should but I have heard of cases where fires have started. Of course if a hardware or software problem occurs and you call technical support of the company that makes the software or hardware. They ask you that question of what is some serial number of the product to find out that what you have is a fraudulent piece of hardware of software and you cannot only be helped but you feel like the criminal.
How do you get stuck with counterfeits are easy. The criminal element has a large distribution ring. You can easily purchase a fake at these computer shows where you think you are getting a bargain and in truth you are getting a steal, something stolen from the manufacturer. Also these bargain web sites that sell things cheaper then anywhere else have been known to sell bogus hardware and software. Often neighborhood computer shops to compete with the major manufactures and the original OEM's of hardware and software and buy counterfeits some having the knowledge they are doing so, some who do not. The big problem is that in many of these instances where these bargain places are selling to you go out of business before you can recoup your loses. Another problem is the friend who lends you a copy of their software for you to put on your computer. This can be a fake or even may have a virus attached to it. In fact when you have a problem with your friends software you cannot get help from the manufacturer.
The biggest problem is whether you have knowledge or not using counterfeits is a crime you can be punished for with fines and with time in jail. If you think your friend is doing you a favor or you think you are doing one for yourself it is a crime that is punishable for copying software or using hardware you did not purchase from the manufacturer.
How do you prevent having problems for your computer or yourself is easy. Buy from the direct Manufacturer that makes the hardware or software. It may seem to you that you are paying a little more at the moment but in reality you are paying at lot less. Think about this the next time you have something imperative to do on the computer and it will not function properly and the money you will really lose because you used a fake or used software or hardware that is not yours.
I take these issues seriously as a consumer, reporter and as a manufacturer of software to benefit you the consumer. If you have any questions, comments or require more details feel free to e-mail me at bob@aain.com and I promise to respond.
Remember you can send your questions care of are company or e-mail them directly to me at help@aain.com. Please keep in mind all questions are important, the big problem is too many people are afraid to ask them. One other note please includes your e-mail address and if you mail us your questions, include your contact information so that we can reply to you
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