Security & Control Issues - Software Piracy III : Ways to deal with it...

Well, Hello again guys, As students, the easiest way to minimize piracy is to set a good example. Don't use pirated software or distribute commercial software to colleagues or should i say Freshies. It is important that policies go beyond individual classrooms, and that schools / districts develop software management, acquisition and implementation policies. These policies should be made clear to each students in the schools's/college's/university's policy, with explicit statements regarding the unacceptability of software piracy. Technology Coordinators should determine which commonly used software packages are compatible with anticipated hardware and network upgrades, and make faculty aware of those changes prior to upgrade. Other ways to reduce the likelihood of software piracy are explicitly stated in Safeguarding Your Technology : Practical Guidelines for Electronic Education Information Security(http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=98297).
Among their recommendations are:

1. Have a central location for software programs. Know which applications are being added, modified or deleted.
2. Secure master copies of software and associate documentation, while providing faculty access to those programs when needed.
3. Never lend or give commercial software to unlicensed users.
4. Permit only authorized users to install software.
5. Train and make staff aware of software use and security procedures which reduce likelihood of software piracy.

Finally, there are a number of network utilities which remove unauthorized files and programs on a preset basis. These utilities can effectively monitor and remove illegally possessed shareware and commercial software without any significant additional investment in network administrator time or effort. Well, now you already know the ways to prevent it. Don't involve yourself in the Software Piracy scams. Remember your loved ones. -

DH