| Issue | Impact | |-------|--------| | | Using or distributing unauthorized keys violates software licensing law and can lead to civil penalties. | | Malware Risk | Many sites offering “free keys” bundle the download with trojans, keyloggers, or ransomware. | | No Updates or Support | Cracked copies cannot receive security patches, leaving the host and guest OSes exposed. | | Enterprise Compliance | Companies are often required to prove they use licensed software for audits; unlicensed copies can cause costly compliance failures. |