Microsoft entices users by smuggling discounts into pirated Office apps

Microsoft is making an offer to their longstanding adversary by offering consumers who use pirated copies of its Office suite software a 50% discount when they buy a legit license.

When a pirated edition of Office is launched, a ribbon at the top displays with the notice:

“GET UP TO 50% OFF.
For a limited time, save up to 50% on a genuine Microsoft 365 subscription.”

The message contains a link to an official product page titled “Pirated software exposes your PC to security hazards.”

According to the Microsoft product page, these hazards include greater vulnerability to viruses and malware assaults, identity theft, damaged files and data loss, and failure to get vital software updates.

The cunning bargain, first spotted by tech website Ghacks, appeared on a version of Office 2019, and the discount seemed to operate if you clicked the direct link from the pirated edition of Office. It reports that users can get Microsoft 365 Family for $50 or Microsoft 365 Person for $35.

Some may see this as a smart move by Microsoft to convert software pirates to go straight while consequently charging people who would not have any intention of purchasing a license.

While others may argue that the offer is too good to be true for users because once they buy the license on 50% the first year, the offer stands for the first year only. The users will have to, after a year, pay the full price.

As for Microsoft, it all comes down to whether users will actually fall for the marketing tactic, hook, line and sinker.