Alex finished the design and uploaded it. Because the software was cracked, it included a hidden "backdoor" script in the website's code. A week later, Alex’s client’s site was taken over by hackers and used to spread malware.
When the next version of WordPress came out, Alex’s "cracked" theme broke. He couldn't get support from the official TemplateToaster Knowledge Base because he didn't have a valid license, leaving his client with a broken site. The Safe Path: How to Actually Use TemplateToaster Alex finished the design and uploaded it
The "crack" did activate the software, but it also silently installed a keylogger . Every password Alex typed—for email, banking, and client sites—was now being sent to a server far away. When the next version of WordPress came out,
Instead of risking your security, there are better ways to get the job done: Every password Alex typed—for email, banking, and client
While it might be tempting to look for free keys or cracked versions of software, these paths usually lead to more trouble than they are worth. To help you understand the situation better, here is a "helpful story" about the risks and the much safer (and better) alternatives. The Story: The Trap of the "Free" Key