He told me that the rules should have included this warning: Do not download pirated software and cracks from filesharing networks and cracks sites because they are a major source of malware ...

Many people around the world would rather download a cracked version of expensive software (for example Windows, the Adobe Suite, or similar) from a torrent site, and follow up with a crack/keygen ...

The threat actors behind the Exorcist 2.0 ransomware are using malicious advertising to redirect victims to fake software crack sites that distribute their malware.

Pakistani-based cybercriminals have been linked to an operation that distributed infostealer malware disguised as cracked ...

"As long as people continue to download cracked software, attacks like these will continue and continue to be profitable for attackers," Avast says.

Still, many users downloading illegally cracked software have likely turned their protections off in order to access and install the download.