Your PC may be hotter than you think. Four masked and heavily armed men approach a small, nondescript building. This type of high-tech robbery happens all the time. Such crimes cost companies more than a million dollars a day in Silicon Valley alone. Technology firms aren't the only losers.
Thieves sell the goods to consumers via the gray market.
You may be using one in your PC without knowing it. Such a processor could be DOA, or only buckle under heavy use, taking your data with it. You may first discover that your product is stolen when you call the company for technical support or warranty repair and are asked for a serial number. So if you're hunting for bargains, be cautious. Before you get too excited about a seemingly great deal, take a hard look at just how much money you'll be saving.