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Can you tell excel sheets which were created using a pirated version of MS Office? (lemmy.ml)
submitted 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) by to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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My friend works for a company which requires her to use Microsoft specific application, she didn't really want to switch to Win 11 and choose to just use Wine Linux package and install a 2016 version of MS office on her Linux laptop. That's all well and good, but this company she is working for servers other clients at pretty high up places and she is terrified that she using the pirated version of MS would create a liability for her company as if Microsoft wants to target pirated software, they hunt for organisations rather than individuals.

So, what should she do? Is there a way you can hide the fact that the excel sheet was created on pirated software, is it even possible to tell excel sheets apart which are using pirated software?

PS: If there is a way to destroy all metadata related to the excel sheets, it would be very helpful.

edit: Thanks to everyone who chipped in for an answer, gonna suggest her to either ask her employer to give her the necessary software + hardware and if denied quit. I now realize this is not the norm in any company but hers. Anyways, thanks everyone.

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[–] 5 points 2 years ago (1 child)

You said you are 'in the EU', as in currently living in the US for said job?

Are you considered an independent contractor? Or an actual employee of the company?

As a US citizen... I would just advise EU citizens to 'in general' avoid working for US companies, we have bad employment policies, and our companies think they can just do the same things in other countries. Obviously everyone should choose for themselves; if you think the extra income is worth it, that is your call, but our work culture is awful.

At the very least, if you do decide to work for a US company... keep it remote. Cost of living in the US is really high, work culture is awful, it's dangerous, and healthcare costs are crazy. Unless your household is making at least $150k USD/year, you'll be considered poor to middle-class.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 years ago

    I’m living in the EU and work remotely for a US based company.

    I took the job as my I was unemployed. My contract came to an end at my previous company and they weren’t renewing any contracts unfortunately.

    This job I’m working now pays $15.50 an hour and they are super strict (micromanagement on a whole other level) about what we do during that time. I posted about it here.

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