For the past few weeks I have been going around the market looking for software for my Windows 7 PC. What really shocked me was the sheer volume in which fake Windows 7 was being sold.

You can kiss your PC goodbye if you buy a fake version of Windows 7. Some of you may think you are better off with a pirated version of Windows because of the costs involved, and would also use some free anti-virus software to protect your PC.

This is a wrong notion. Gone are the days when free anti-virus software would protect your PC. The recession has taken its toll and all anti-virus vendors now want you to buy their products. If you don’t, sooner or later you will run into trouble.

I have seen properly packaged Kaspersky Internet Security Suite 2011 being sold for as little as Rs 350 when the real price of one for one year is Rs 890. There is an inherent problem with Kaspersky bought from a shop because your purchase information does not go into the database. When you try contacting their technical support, they refer you back to the vendor. Since most purchases are done online, the Russian software makers haven’t yet built off the shelf purchases into their database.

In these days of fraud occurring on the Internet almost every minute, you are better off with Genuine Windows 7. You do not even have to buy any Internet security suite because you will get Microsoft Security Essentials as a free download. You can rest assured that your PC will be safe.

Counterfeit software can lead to a corrupt system, loss of data or even identity theft, so it’s important to know you are getting genuine Microsoft software from the shop you are buying from.

Microsoft software comes with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA). It’s a label that helps you identify the software is genuine. Retail Microsoft software ships with a certificate affixed to the outside of the package. If such a certificate isn’t there on the packaging, it means the software isn’t genuine.

Advice: Whether you purchase your software from a retailer, or small or large manufacturer, the COA that authenticates the software will have special features that set it apart from counterfeits. Current certificates have a circular figure near the middle with interwoven thread that run vertically through the centre. These features change though, so be sure to check with Microsoft frequently for the latest information.

Many Microsoft products ship on hologram CDs or DVDs in order to protect against counterfeiting. A hologram disc features a holographic image on the surface of the disc. This holographic image is part of the disc itself; it is not a sticker.

Advice: Inspect the edge of the disc and make sure the hologram is not a sticker. Try to lift the hologram with your finger. Since the hologram is part of the disc itself, it should not lift off.

Reputed sellers of new computers must give you genuine Windows software in the form of a recovery media. Recovery media is an installation disc used to restore your Microsoft software in case it fails. Your computer manufacturer should provide a means of recovering your genuine Microsoft software. This may include a hologram CD, DVD or another form of media.

One of the clearest indications that you are purchasing genuine Microsoft software is professionally produced packaging and documentation.

Advice: Inspect the packaging to make sure it’s of high quality. You should see the COA affixed to the outside of the packaging. You should not, however, be able to see the 25-character product key on the outside of the package. Microsoft will never print a product key directly on the software packaging and it should not be visible prior to purchase.

If you want to know if the software you are running is genuine, go to www.microsoft.com/genuine to validate your copy of Windows.

There is a very good site on the current fake Windows 7 on the market (www.microsoft.com/howtotell/counterfeit). It would be a good idea to find out what the pirated versions look like before you buy your copy of Windows. For the current prices of the different versions of Windows 7, visit www.microsoftstore.co.in/microsoft/1/category/windows. aspx?WT.mc_id=MSCOMIN_Homepage_Navigation_Windows.

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