Infected computers may be silently recruited into a "botnet," where they are used to launch cyberattacks on other organizations without the owner’s knowledge. Legal and Ethical Implications

Students and non-profits can often access professional software at a fraction of the commercial cost through official channels.

Software developers use various methods to protect their intellectual property, such as requiring a unique license key or checking a central server for authentication. A "crack" typically works by replacing the program’s original code with a modified version that skips these checks. A "keygen," on the other hand, is a small program designed by hackers to replicate the algorithm used by the software company to generate valid license keys. Significant Cybersecurity Risks

Many developers offer a robust free version of their software with the option to pay for advanced features.

When software is pirated, developers lose the revenue needed to pay staff, fix bugs, and create new features. This is especially damaging to small, independent developers.