Unterschleissheim, Germany  - Illegally copying music and movies or cracking software code might let you bring home games and movie for free, but experts say this is against the law and poses a possible danger for your computer.

Downloading software that allows illegal copying sometimes means you're also installing viruses onto your computer, reports Trend Micro, an IT security consulting firm based in southern Germany.

Hackers use this method to spread their viruses via illegal copies. Hackers are also setting their sights on Mac computers. In recent months, malware has been included in illegal copies of programs like Apple iWorks 2009 and Adobe Photoshop for Mac.