33% of All Windows Users use Pirated Version! Microsoft: “Please Install Security Updates!”

In an interview with USAtoday, Jill Lovanto, a Microsoft Spokesperson, mentioned that 33% of all the Windows Operating Systems users use pirated copies. Users using pirated copies of Windows usually do not keep their machines updated with the latest security patches fearing Microsoft might penalize them one way or the other.

Jill says that’s not the case as the infected pirated copies hurt Microsoft as much as the genuine copies of Windows OS that are not patched with the latest security updates.

Security concerns with Windows operating systems and its related technologies hit a new high in view of the recent high-profile attack against Google and few other companies in China. According to the reports these attacks had been made possible by exploiting a security hole in Internet Explorer.

While Microsoft immediately issued a patch to close the security hole (Click here to install), concerns remain high as a majority of users using pirated copies do not install these important patches.

Accoring to Trend Micro “Threat Tracker” the software blocks over 5,284,436 malacious URL’s and 6,364 infected files every hour.

The following map from F-Secure rates the current threat level at 2 (Low) based on the last 30 days global virus activity. The darker the color the higher the number of the infected computers in that area.

Microsoft assures that though piracy is one of the biggest threats to Microsoft’s business model, the company will not penalize the pirated copies for installing security patches to keep their computers safe and secure which in turn keeps the internet clear of viruses and malware.

So, even if you are using a pirated version of Windows OS, don’t worry about being caught. Keep your computer updated with the latest security patches through Download Center or Windows Update!

Microsoft also offers one of the best anti-virus solutions in the industry and the best part is, it’s absolutely free, does not cost a dime to install and remain virus free. Click here to download Microsoft Security Essentials. Unfortunately Microsoft does not allow pirated copies to install this software.

I think instead of fixing whats broken by allowing pirated copies to install patches, Microsoft should allow users to install the free Microsoft Security Essentials software on their pirated copies to keep the virus at bay.

Click here to install an update to address the latest security hole in Internet Explorer. Visit Windows Update or Click here to visit the Microsoft Download Center to download secutiry updates and more.