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Product key
A product key, also known as a software key, serial key or activation key, is a specific software-based key for a computer program. It certifies that the copy of the program is original.
Product keys consist of a series of numbers and/or letters. This sequence is typically entered by the user during the installation of computer software, and is then passed to a verification function in the program. This function manipulates the key sequence according to an algorithm or mathematical formula and attempts to match the results to a set of valid solutions. If they match, the program is activated, permitting its use or unlocking features. With knowledge about the algorithm used, such as that obtained via reverse engineering of the program, it is possible to create programs called keygens that generate these keys for a particular program.
Standard key generation, where product keys are generated mathematically, is not completely effective in stopping copyright infringement of software, as these keys can be distributed. In addition, with improved communication from the rise of the Internet, more sophisticated attacks on keys such as cracks (removing the need for a key) and product key generators have become common.
Because of this, software publishers use additional product activation methods to verify that keys are both valid and uncompromised. One method assigns a product key based on a unique feature of the purchaser's computer hardware, which cannot be as easily duplicated since it depends on the user's hardware. Another method involves requiring one-time or periodical validation of the product key with an internet server (for games with an online component, this is done whenever the user signs in). The server can deactivate unmodified client software presenting invalid, duplicated, missing or otherwise compromised keys. Modified clients may bypass these checks, but the server can still deny those clients information or communication.
Windows 95 retail product keys take the form XXX-XXXXXXX. To determine whether the key is valid, Windows 95 performs the following checks:
If all checks pass, the product key is valid. Consequently a product key of 000-0000000 would be considered valid under these conditions.
Windows 95 OEM keys take the form XXXXX-OEM-XXXXXXX-XXXXX.
Windows XP uses an installation ID, product ID, and a product key for activation.
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Product key
A product key, also known as a software key, serial key or activation key, is a specific software-based key for a computer program. It certifies that the copy of the program is original.
Product keys consist of a series of numbers and/or letters. This sequence is typically entered by the user during the installation of computer software, and is then passed to a verification function in the program. This function manipulates the key sequence according to an algorithm or mathematical formula and attempts to match the results to a set of valid solutions. If they match, the program is activated, permitting its use or unlocking features. With knowledge about the algorithm used, such as that obtained via reverse engineering of the program, it is possible to create programs called keygens that generate these keys for a particular program.
Standard key generation, where product keys are generated mathematically, is not completely effective in stopping copyright infringement of software, as these keys can be distributed. In addition, with improved communication from the rise of the Internet, more sophisticated attacks on keys such as cracks (removing the need for a key) and product key generators have become common.
Because of this, software publishers use additional product activation methods to verify that keys are both valid and uncompromised. One method assigns a product key based on a unique feature of the purchaser's computer hardware, which cannot be as easily duplicated since it depends on the user's hardware. Another method involves requiring one-time or periodical validation of the product key with an internet server (for games with an online component, this is done whenever the user signs in). The server can deactivate unmodified client software presenting invalid, duplicated, missing or otherwise compromised keys. Modified clients may bypass these checks, but the server can still deny those clients information or communication.
Windows 95 retail product keys take the form XXX-XXXXXXX. To determine whether the key is valid, Windows 95 performs the following checks:
If all checks pass, the product key is valid. Consequently a product key of 000-0000000 would be considered valid under these conditions.
Windows 95 OEM keys take the form XXXXX-OEM-XXXXXXX-XXXXX.
Windows XP uses an installation ID, product ID, and a product key for activation.