SINGAPORE – Across the globe, companies will spend close to $500 billion in 2014 to fix data breach and malware intrusions, according to a study by IDC and the National University of Singapore (NUS), Tech2.com reports. Analysts see this spending as a diversion of capital funds from innovation and growth to maintenance.

The study predicted that businesses would spend $127 billion on security concerns and $364 billion to recover from data breaches. The security issues extend beyond card payment troubles.

On the other hand, consumers around the world will shell out $25 billion and lose 1.2 billion hours in 2014 related to security threats and fixing computers ravaged by malware on illegal software. The Link Between Pirated Software and Cybersecurity Breaches study discovered that 60% consumer respondents said their greatest fear from malware is stolen personal info, files and data, followed by unauthorized Internet transactions (51%), and email, social media and bank account hijacking (50%).

“Cybercriminals are profiting from any security lapse they can find, with financially devastating results for everyone,” said David Finn, Microsoft Cybercrime Center executive director and associate general counsel.

Microsoft released the study as part of its “Play It Safe” initiative that strives to create a global awareness of the link between piracy and malware. “Using pirated software is like walking through a field of landmines: You don’t know when you will come upon something nasty, but if you do it can be very destructive,” said John Gantz, a chief researcher at IDC.