Praxis system targets disk pirates after liability scare

Helen Sage reports

Control and information systems consultancy Praxis has developed a system to prevent the distribution of pirated software within companies. The initiative comes in response to recent reports in the national press that the company director is liable for any stolen software used in their organisation.

The Praxis system, Auditor, is a computer-based auditing package that can quickly scan the hard disks on personal computers and produce audit reports relating to executable files.

The main objective is to monitor any software changes on PCs and prevent software theft by providing detailed reports so that management can take action.

The traditional software piracy deterrent of informing staff they will be dismissed if software is copied is no solution to the problem, especially in large companies where a high staff turnover allows departing employees to easily take software with them.