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Separate Downloads for Registered Customers

Protecting software from hackers can be a challenge, even for the best software developers. It can be a daunting proposition to find a protection solution that is effective, without being inconvenient or frustrating for legitimate customers. One solution that MicroISVs employ is using separate versions to protect their software from hackers.

How? Instead of having just one single version of a product, which acts as both the trial/evaluation version and the licensed/registered version, developers can have completely separate "trial/evaluation" and "registered/licensed" versions. Having separate versions means that a stolen or illegally-generated registration key cannot be used to enable or "unlock" an evaluation version and turn it into a fully-functional licensed version. When a customer purchases the licensed version, they are given a new download URL with a login and password. The customer can then download and install a completely separate, fully-functional licensed version that will replace the trial/evaluation version they've been using.

There are Pros and Cons to using a separate download for a licensed version, as opposed to removing limitations of an evaluation version via a registration key...

Pros

1. Limited Access

Using a separate licensed version means that the software is better protected. MicroISVs can limit access to the licensed program file, allowing them to a) make the download available only for a limited amount of time, b) provide custom logins, and c) custom download URLs and login passwords, all which will help control access to the licensed file.

2. Prosecutable

If a cracker does manage to obtain a licensed version, they will need to host the file themselves in order to make it available to others -- and that is not only illegal, but can be expensive for them as well. A website that is hosting serials or keygens may be difficult to shut down, but illegally posting a licensed version is easy to prove to the webhost. In other words, it is much easier to shut an offending website down if they are illegally distributing a licensed product.

Cons

1. Not Fool Proof

Determined crackers can still use stolen credit cards to gain access to the licensed download. Once they have the licensed version, they can post the fully-enabled version and make it available to others. The good news is that this is clearly illegal, and you will likely be able to have the website shut down in a short amount of time (if you are able to locate it).

2. Inconvenient

Another downside to having a separate licensed version is that customers who have been using a trial/evaluation version will need to download and install the fully-licensed version. Many customers have become accustomed to simply entering a registration key, and the task of downloading and installing another version of the program may be viewed as inconvenient. This has become less of an issue recently, as customers have begun using higher speed connections for downloads. And, it is not an issue at all for those customers who bypass the trial/evaluation version completely and simply purchase the licensed product.

At the end of the day, any software protection scheme should be designed to protect the software reasonably well, but not at the expense of the legitimate customer. Consider using a separate download when trying to strike a balance.

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