Insider trading significantly heightens the risks associated with share trading and undermines the fairness and integrity of financial markets. This illicit practice involves buying or selling shares based on material, non-public information, giving insiders an unfair advantage over other investors. When insiders, such as company executives or directors, exploit their privileged position for personal gain, it distorts market efficiency and undermines investor confidence.

Insider trading can have various consequences for both individual investors and the broader market. For individual investors, it erodes trust in the fairness of the market and can lead to significant financial losses if they trade based on incomplete or misleading information. Moreover, when insider trading is widespread, it can deter retail investors from participating in the market, leading to decreased liquidity and increased volatility.

On a broader scale, insider trading undermines the integrity of the financial system and erodes public trust in the market's fairness. It can also damage the reputation of the companies involved and lead to regulatory scrutiny, legal penalties, and reputational damage. Ultimately, insider trading introduces uncertainty and unpredictability into the market, making it riskier for all participants and hindering the efficient allocation of capital. Therefore, combating insider trading is essential for maintaining market integrity and investor confidence in the fairness of share trading.