Product key

A license key (also: key code product key, CD Key or Product Key ) is a letter or number code that must be entered during installation or when you first start a computer software to unlock this.

Installation and use

Each key is usually composed of a sequence of letters and numbers that is divided into several blocks. Through the use of a license key program files can indeed be copied, but the software can not be used without the key. This is to prevent the illegal use of unlicensed software. The license key was settled first as a CD -Key to a physical disk ( CD-ROMs/-DVD ). Meanwhile, a license key is also used for software that is sold without a data carrier used.

The license key is (albeit often erroneously used interchangeably ) is generated to distinguish it from the serial number, this is, rather, encoded in it and during installation. While the serial number can be displayed in the installed product, the license key can only be read on the product packaging, product insert or a confirmation e- mail and can not be derived from the serial number.

History

The license key first came up with software CD- ROMs. One of the first such programs were hedged the Windows 95 operating system and the Microsoft Office package.

By default, the license key is required during the installation. Since the mid- 2000s, it is possible in many programs to install them without a valid license key and run in a test or demo mode, which has only a limited duration and possibly limited functionality. By entering a license key, the full version can be unlocked, especially with shareware programs.

Security

License keys can be checked for authenticity by the software with mathematical and other methods. This means that only certain Keymöglichkeiten are present, the number is well below most of the theoretically possible number of permutations. The occurring in the license keys mathematical regularities use of crackers to ( short keygens), known as key to program generators that create new (illegal ) keys at your fingertips. In addition, working key for unlimited number of installations could be used, which virtually cancel out the protection, if applicable, the CD -Key has been passed with the copied installation files. Also ( allegedly) working codes are published as Serialz on warez sites.

Therefore, many manufacturers have begun to carry out using the license key and specific hardware features of each computer product activation or an online exam of the license key when the system checks whether the license used is still available. If not, abuse is accepted and prevents use of the program. Some programs require at every program start an existing Internet connection, most only during installation.

Sometimes, manufacturers can also block valid key, temporarily or permanently, if a legitimate suspicion of abuse as in cheating in games is present.

• Copy protection