Economic and Cyber Crime Division Deputy Commander Pol. Col. Dr. Kittisak Plathong said that some less reputable computer manufacturers and retailers may use counterfeit copies of popular software products to build machines more cheaply to increase their profit margins. When people buy a new PC or laptop, they expect that machine to be secure out of the box.

However, the malware, embedded in counterfeit software, is engineered to spy on users and conduct denial-of-service attacks including stealing personal information, locking the PC, using PC to send spam, or downloading other malicious software without notice and consent.

“It is a fact that pirated software contains security gaps,” he said. “Any PC with pirated software is an easy target for criminals and hackers. With a software piracy rate of approximately 70 per cent in Thailand, the nation is vulnerable.”

He urged Thais to stop buying, selling or using pirated software.

“When you consider to buy a new PC or laptop, please check whether the shop is certified with genuine products. This should be taken very seriously indeed, as the impact could be far-reaching, costly and destructive. It is not worth the risk.”

Last year, the ECD found over Bt500 million of unlicensed and illegal software, nearly 20 per cent higher than 2014.

Police are cracking down on shops that sell pirated software as it is a direct link to malware and cybercrime.

ECD recently conducted a raid of two outlets of a leading technology retail seller at The Mall Bangkhae Department Store in Bang Khae District, Bangkok. The police seized two Lenovo notebooks, one flash drive and one external hard disk, all of which contained pirated Microsoft software.

The registered owner of the shop, whose business consisted of loading pirated software onto new PCs purchased by consumers and small businesses, faces criminal prosecutions.