Confidence to move forward with genuine Windows and Office

Sep 7, 2021

Non-genuine software is a cybersecurity risk

Software piracy is a widespread global problem. Cybercriminals are exploiting non-genuine
software to spread malware, and users are exposing themselves to multiple security risks.​

The reach and risk of counterfeit goods

Easy Mistakes

39% of inadvertent purchases of counterfeit goods were bought through legitimate online third-party marketplaces.

Pervasive Supply

Half a trillion US dollars’ worth of imports across the world are counterfeit products.

Increased Malware

20% more malware was found on machines when users doubled their time on piracy sites.

The confidence to move forward

Microsoft genuine software provides the security, updates, and support you need. Get the best experience, build trust, and avoid risk—buy Microsoft genuine software.

Shop for Windows Shop for Office

Risks of non-genuine software

Think twice before your next purchase.

Non-genuine software may come with viruses and would lack the security measures needed to detect them.
You may be opening your home or business to serious threats from hackers and malware without knowing it.​

Malware

Malware can contain ransomware, which may block access to data or user accounts unless a ransom is paid.

Reputation and material damage

Hackers can destroy your business data and other valuable information. These security breaches may harm your image and erode customer trust.

  • Identity theft

Your personal and financial data may be compromised, which may result in financial damage. It could even be used for criminal activities.

  • Stolen credit card or bank details

Hackers can clone your credit card and access your bank accounts, resulting in financial loss for you or your business.

  • Business disruption

A data breach can bring your entire business operation to a halt and harm your website, CRM, and accounting systems.

  • Data loss

You could lose important personal files and business data, like customer and accounting information.

How do I know I’m using genuine software?

Make sure it’s licensed.

Before purchasing a new PC, make sure genuine Windows is pre-installed on the device.

All Windows PCs must have a license, which allows you to upgrade your version through volume licensing.

Volume licensing agreements only cover Windows software upgrades. Only PCs are bundled with a full base license (OEM/GGWA/FPP/ESD).

Consumer versions of Windows are NOT eligible for volume licensing upgrades to Windows Professional.

Get Genuine Windows Agreement (GGWA) is the legalization solution for corporate users who want to legitimize Windows Professional licenses on existing devices. For all new devices, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) base licenses are required.

How do I avoid non-genuine software?

Follow this software purchasing guide.

  • Be the first to open it

​A physical product’s package must be sealed to ensure first-time use. Product keys are designed to work on a single or limited number of devices.

Stay up to date​Run software updates regularly to help stay protected against potential security issues.

  • Buy from trusted sources

A reputable reseller or the Microsoft Store are your go-to options.

  • Question “too-good-to-be-true” prices

​They usually are—and may lead to additional costs from data loss or identity theft.

  • Check the product key source

​For digital downloads, make sure the product key comes from a trusted source and not an instant messaging platform or unverifiable email.

  • Inspect the packaging​

Make sure physical packaging includes an authentic Microsoft logo and brand identity. Be wary of standalone stickers or product key cards, which don’t grant the right to use Microsoft software.

  • Be the first to open it

​A physical product’s package must be sealed to ensure first-time use. Product keys are designed to work on a single or limited number of devices.

  • Stay up to date​

Run software updates regularly to help stay protected against potential security issues.

  • Buy from trusted sources

A reputable reseller or the Microsoft Store is your go-to option.

  • Use only licensed software​

Software must be properly licensed, whether it’s Windows or Office.

Buy Microsoft genuine software

Digital Downloads

Avoid the many risks of digital downloads with these tips for safer shopping.

Learn More

How service providers will guide the new approach to cyber protection with Acronis

Apr 12, 2021

This year’s Cyber Protection Week Global Report shows that organizations around the world are still grappling with the changes sparked by COVID and the modern cyberthreat landscape.

Businesses are acutely aware of the challenges facing them – from data privacy regulations to remote worker support to data theft, malware, phishing attacks and more – but their strategies to overcome them simply aren’t working. Half of the organizations Acronis surveyed saw data loss that led to downtime in the past year despite all of their work to stay protected.

For IT service providers offering modern cyber protection, these findings represent a significant opportunity to deliver more reliable, comprehensive, and effective protection services and unlock expanded revenue streams with both existing and new clients along the way.

Ready to offer your clients modern cyber protection? Here’s how you can get started.

Deliver simplified cyber protection

Acronis research finds that organizations are approaching security with the idea that more solutions will create more protection. Nearly 80% of the IT pros surveyed for the 2021 Cyber Protection Week Global Report have up to 10 different protection solutions and agents running simultaneously to deliver capabilities like

  • Ransomware protection and remediation
  • Anti-malware with zero-day threat prevention
  • Automated patch management
  • Vulnerability assessments
  • URL filtering
  • Continuous data protection
  • Hard drive health monitoring
  • Backup forensics

With their new no-charge licensing for Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, service providers can eliminate the complexity of these patchwork IT stacks. They can deliver all of these capabilities to clients through a single solution, installed via one agent and managed through one console – simplifying their own deployment and management efforts.

Reduce the risk of today’s worst cyberthreats

In 2020, the FBI reported that cybercrime rose by 400% as cybercriminals exploited a global workforce adjusting to remote work. Every week, headlines announced data breaches and, according to our report, concerns about cyberthreats were almost universally high, regardless of threat type, business size, region, or industry. The cyberthreats IT pros are most concerned about include:

  • Data theft
  • Malware
  • Phishing attacks
  • Ransomware
  • IoT attacks
  • DoS / DDoS attacks
  • Cryptojacking

Offering cyber protection solutions like Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud ensures that you can provide proactive, active, and reactive defenses against all modern cyberthreats – including the waves of new, zero-day threats that are emerging each day – while keeping your clients in compliance with the unique regulations they’re subject to.

Build in flexibility for unique client requirements

Clients will always value services that are customized to their environments and priorities over a one-size-fits-all approach to IT.

And as we learned in this year’s report, these priorities can vary significantly, including everything from data privacy and modernized cybersecurity stacks to migrating to the cloud and updating websites.

  • Data privacy and compliance – 48%
  • Modernizing cybersecurity stack, reducing risk – 45.3%
  • Supporting improved remote-work environments – 39%
  • Building a disaster recovery program – 34%
  • Bridging the IT skills gap – 32%
  • Rearchitecting networks – 31%
  • Migrating infrastructure and/or applications to the cloud – 24%
  • Reducing infrastructure complexity – 23%
  • Website updates – 16%

With Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, MSPs can expand their service portfolio to meet client requirements and market demand with advanced protection packs that extend their capabilities. By adding advanced protection packs such as Advanced Backup, Advanced Security, Advanced Disaster Recovery, and Advanced Management to customize their services to deliver the optimum level of cyber protection for each client and every workload.

No-charge access to Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud

It’s now easier than ever for service providers to seize the opportunities highlighted by the Cyber Protection Week Global Report. Today Acronis unveiled a new, no-charge version of Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud that makes it more profitable for service providers to design and offer a comprehensive cyber protection services portfolio with little to no upfront costs.

Featuring a set of essential cyber protection capabilities included at no cost or on a pay-as-you-go basis, the new version of Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud enables MSPs to build services, ensuring 100% coverage of clients’ workloads with cyber protection.

Learn more about the new licensing for Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud on  [email protected]