Is anti-plagiarism software working?

As some form of anti-plagiarism software is used extensively in colleges around the world, the question should be raised: Are they actually successful in reducing plagiarism?

One report I researched suggested that plagiarism fell 4.3% in a short space of time in one university after the students were informed of the introduction of anti-plagiarism software. This would seem to indicate that the technology has a key role to play. But did plagiarism decrease because the students suddenly wanted to produce original work, or did the fear of getting caught have more to do with it?

In my view, the best way to reduce plagiarism is through education. Children should be taught in schools at the earliest opportunity the value of thinking for themselves. In this way we can have better graduates coming out of universities in years to come that are more valuable to the workforce in their chosen field.