I’ve heard about pirate or cracked software versions available online, but I’m not sure about their legality. Can someone explain whether using pirate software is illegal and what the risks are?
Yes, using, distributing, or selling pirated (unauthorized/cracked) software is illegal. It is a form of copyright infringement because it violates the intellectual property rights and licensing agreements of the software creator. Penalties can include heavy fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment.