Using pirated or cracked software may seem like an easy, money-saving option, but in the long run, it can cause serious consequences for individuals, professionals, and businesses. In this article, we will explore the dangers of cracked software and explain why choosing a genuine Microsoft 365 license is not only safer but also essential for performance, security, and legal compliance.

Cracked Software Risks

Understanding Cracked Software Risks

Cracked software refers to applications that have been modified without permission to bypass official activation. Such alterations expose your system to security threats, decrease performance, and compromise the reliability of your digital environment. In many cases, cracked versions secretly run in the background, stealing information or injecting malicious code (malware) into your system1 

Cracked devices are unable to receive updates, so they become outdated and full of vulnerabilities within a few weeks or days. What may seem “free” at first can later turn out to be Data leaks, identity theft, downtime, and expensive repair costsIt tends to lead to oil. 

How do the risks of cracked software affect consumers and businesses? 

Some of the most common risks of using pirated Microsoft Office or Windows are: 

  • Malware, Ransomware, and Spyware Infections: Cybercriminals use cracked software as a primary route to distribute malware that steals social data, login information, and banking credentials.2 
  • Not receiving security or feature updates: Cracked versions are unable to connect to official servers, so you may miss out on important security patches and new features that protect your environment. 
  • Data Loss and Corrupted Files: Documents may fail to save, sync, or open. Cloud backups like OneDrive are unreliable with unauthorized versions. 
  • Legal and Compliance Risks: Businesses can face legal penalties, audit failures, and reputational damage if they use cracked software.3 
  • Slow performance and system instability: Cracked software often contains unstable code, scripts running in the background, and injected ads, which can degrade system performance. 

Benefits of using a valid Microsoft 365 license 

  1. Enterprise-grade security: Licensed Microsoft 365 apps receive continuous security patches, AI-powered threat detection, and advanced protection technologies to protect your data. 
  2. Reliable Cloud Business Performance: Features like OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, Outlook, Loop, and Copilot require a valid license to work smoothly and securely. 
  3. Access to the latest features: Microsoft updates Office apps monthly, adding new collaboration tools, design improvements, automation capabilities, and AI-driven enhancements. 
  4. Fully compatible with all devices: Licensed Microsoft apps sync and work seamlessly across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and browsers. 
  5. Legal Compliance and Audit Readiness: Businesses can avoid legal violations and maintain complete transparency while conducting software audits. 
  6. Improved performance and stability: Official releases are optimized and tested to work smoothly without any hidden code or system-level modifications. 

 

Microsoft 365 licensing options 

Plan  Who is it best for?  Main features 
Microsoft 365 Personal  Individual users  Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, 1 TB OneDrive 
Microsoft 365 Family  Households with up to 6 people  Benefits shared, 6 TB Cloud Storage 
Microsoft 365 Business Basic  SMBs that need cloud tools  Exchange, Teams, OneDrive, Web Apps 
Microsoft 365 Business Standard  Business Productivity + Desktop Apps  Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams 
Microsoft 365 Business Premium  Security-conscious SMBs  Azure AD Premium, Intune, Advanced Security 
Office LTSC (Volume License)  Businesses that don't use the cloud  One-time purchase of Office Suite 

 

Why Businesses Should Never Use Cracked Software 

For businesses, the risks are even greater, including cybersecurity breaches, ransomware attacks, audit failures, and legal liabilities. The cost of recovering from a single malware incident can be far higher than purchasing genuine Microsoft 365 licenses for the entire organization for many years. 

Additionally, compliance frameworks such as PDPA, GDPR, and ISO27001 require the use of licensed and secure software. Using cracked versions automatically violates these requirements. 

Summary 

Cracked software may seem like a cheap option, but it carries serious risks such as malware, data loss, legal violations, and financial loss in the long run.4 Choosing a genuine Microsoft 365 license ensures reliable security, continuous updates, powerful cloud productivity tools, and legal protection. While cracked versions can put your data and devices at risk, authentic Microsoft 365 provides users and businesses with security, performance, and peace of mind.