Adobe and Microsoft are Removing product Activation? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 02:02:46 am
content: After my Windows 10 PC updated, my Adobe software no longer worked correctly. Some key dialogs would not display. I struggled to fix this with compatibility mode and MS just said the program was not compatible and the supplier has a paid solution. (hint)I persisted and tried reinstalling a few times. I tried to revert my update to no avail. It's been days now!!!In desperation I uninstalled the application to reinstall it, hoping that I'm not SOL.Well, the program installs and seems to work just like it did a few days ago, it Works!!! BUT I cannot activate. The adobe activation stops and says there is no Internet.So I call the number for phone activation, but they have a recorded message that phone activation is no longer supported, is gonski! and to Go tohttp://www.adobe.com/go/activationI cannot find how to activate the program anywhere from the redirect. There is a message there thatCode:Our aging activation servers for earlier versions of Acrobat and Creative Suite (CS) applications had to be retired. Without the activation servers, these applications display an activation or connection error when trying to verify a license. To install a version that doesn't require activation, see either Error: "Activation Server Unavailable" | CS2, Acrobat 7, Audition 3 or Activation or connection error | CS3, Acrobat 8.Affected applications include: Creative Suite 2 and 3 applications, Acrobat 7 and 8 (Standard and Professional), and Acrobat 3D Version 8.And that is it. My program has been taken away from me. It seems I have no hope of using it ever again.I has a sad

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 02:17:02 am
content: Having you sit there with something you already paid for is not profitable. Adobe wants you to buy their software, then buy it again, and again through their subscription service.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 02:21:43 am
content: Quote from: metrologist on August 24, 2017, 02:02:46 amI don't get it? I followed the instructions in the message you showed, and it took me to a page where you can download a version of the software that does not require activation. Did that not work for you?https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/creative-suite-2-activation-end-life.html

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 02:24:10 am
content: Assuming your software is one of those listed, did you try to download a version that does not require activation? From following the links to those error messages, that appears to be their solution.Quote

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 02:24:39 am
content: I had this issue with an earlier version of Microsoft Office I wanted to install on an old machine. They no longer offer activation services for that particular version, so it's now rendered useless.It's a sure fire way to ensure your software has built-in obsolescence. But instead of "forcing" me to buy their newer product, they are forcing me away from their products, so now I use Open Office.

author: John B
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 02:29:08 am
content: Quote from: Halcyon on August 24, 2017, 02:24:39 amThat's been my experience too. I had Adobe Audition and used it for many years. When I tried to reinstall it, it would not activate due to the same reasons as above, and surprise, their solution for activating old products also didn't work. I just moved on and spent my money elsewhere.

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 02:33:53 am
content: Quote from: IanB on August 24, 2017, 02:21:43 amI don't know what you clicked to find that. (makes me feel inadequate). I had to set up an Adobe ID. Now it wants me to install Akamai NetSession Interface before I can proceed. Sounds suspicious.

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 02:36:10 am
content: It wants access to communicate on my private networks. Feels like I'm installing a corporate level virus.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 02:40:55 am
content: I don't know. Akamai is a download manager. Try to download with out using it? There should be a way, since not everyone is able to install or use Akamai.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 02:48:24 am
content: Quote from: John B on August 24, 2017, 02:29:08 amI think some of these companies are trying to take pages out of the "Apple" way of doing things, i.e.: Do it the Apple way or go find another product. Sure, some fan boys will continue using their stuff, but everyone else just ends up pissed off.

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 02:51:54 am
content: I have downloaded this massive DMG file and MS cannot open it. I am at the app store...Install some more 3rd party software and hope for the best?To be fair, you've been a great help so far.Now I'm lost in a bunch of browser tabs, and an MS store I've never been to.Where did the DL file go?

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 02:54:38 am
content: The only thing I can find is the Akama thing and it complains that files are in use.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 02:55:46 am
content: Maybe the download hasn't finished yet?On Windows you should get an exe file after the download has finished.

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 02:59:45 am
content: it finished. I opened it and then the the little button at the bottom of the browser is gone. The MS app store opened. I looked everywhere, in the MS downloads location and in the location i set for my downloads and it is not there.Even if I find it, what do I do with a DMG file?

author: John B
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 03:04:02 am
content: A .dmg file is usually a Mac OS installer.

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 03:05:41 am
content: after this is the MS dialog about how to open a program, but I cannot use sipping tool to capture it.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 03:09:50 am
content: Quote from: metrologist on August 24, 2017, 02:59:45 amYou said you are on Windows 10. But a DMG file is a MacOS file. It seems like you need to download the Windows version.

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 03:26:55 am
content: Well, I'm a dunce and downloaded the mac version.i downloaded the Windows version and installed it. It was exe.After the install completed and i select launch the program, I get the activation screen.

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 03:36:59 am
content: Here's the good news. When MS offered Win10 to me, I cloned my Win7 SDD to a new SDD. I then ran the new SDD to update to win10. That means I still have my old Win7 SDD.

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 03:39:20 am
content: I still very much appreciate the help. I went back and looked at the site I linked and can now see the links to the download. Maybe I was a bit too frustrated to see. I'll try again tomorrow. Thanks

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 01:01:00 pm
content: Yeah I'm a bit baffled by your confusion. When Adobe de-DRMd those old versions, the tech world even reported it as "Now anyone can download older versions of creative suite for free". The main issue with that is that those versions don't work on older versions of Mac OS X. The Windows versions are more forgiving.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 01:36:44 pm
content: Because of all these problems and time consuming efforts some people that have bought and paid for Adobe products just keep it on the shelf as proof of purchase but use a "tool" to activate these Adobe suits within a few seconds with the serial number that they purchased. I am not sure if this is completely legal but since no files are changed and the original serial number is used it might be ok. Just use a good firewall, so the Adobe update server does not kick in.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2017, 12:46:56 am
content: Crack it and be done with it. You paid Adobe already, right? Then no need to even care about piracy.

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2017, 10:23:31 am
content: Well, the original problem came back anyway. The internal dialogs do not display correctly - they are stretched very long off the bottom of the page and very narrow, and there is no text or controls on them. Makes the program unusable.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2017, 11:05:56 am
content: Quote from: metrologist on August 25, 2017, 10:23:31 amThen it sounds like a compatibility issue with Windows 10. The only solution is to use the version of Windows, on which it was originally designed to run. If you can't or won't go back, then you can use a virtual machine such as VirtualBox to install Windows 7 on and run it on that. You might need to upgrade the RAM in your existing machine, as emulation always requires more resources, than running it natively.

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2017, 02:32:30 pm
content: Yes, I was using it on Win10 for over a year. Just the last update broke something, and it was odd that it was working after a fresh install. It must have been the reboot that woke up the MS watchdog. I much prefer Win7 anyway.I'm not sure if it will be more hassle using somewhat dated software vs. other open platforms. I surely cannot afford the dependence of these large companies.

author: b_force
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2017, 04:18:00 pm
content: And than companies wonder why people use pirated software.....Go figure...I personally would store my key somewhere and use an 'alternative way' to make the program work.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2017, 06:04:42 pm
content: Quote from: b_force on August 25, 2017, 04:18:00 pmI run liberated software by default because it is so much easier to install and keep running. Most of the software I bought is still in it's shrink wrap. It really is a shame that buying software means getting punished. I have come to the point where I won't buy software unless there is a liberated version available from piratebay.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2017, 06:30:08 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on August 25, 2017, 06:04:42 pmI do the same and I heard that even some large corporations in Silicon Valley have this "habit" since the licensing process is a pain!Just make sure you have a good firewall running because many of these software packages know about these liberation ways and call them home.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2017, 04:21:01 am
content: Quote from: metrologist on August 25, 2017, 02:32:30 pmIt may be because of some scaling bullshit they introduced for absurdly high-resolution monitors (who wants a monitor where they can't see sharp, square pixels? It just makes everything blurry.) Google "Win10" and "hiDPI support bugs" and you might find more info and a possible fix.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2017, 01:58:30 pm
content: I'm curious how the law in various countries deals with pirating software that you actually paid for. On one hand, you're not abiding to the license. On the other hand, you paid for it and have a right to use it, which is denied without compensation. Something tells me you would lose the case in most countries, but that pursuing the matter would also be PR suicide for the company doing so.As far as I know it is, at least in some countries, considered illegal to download music of movies you already own, unless it is somehow a bit for bit copy of the version you have. In that case it is considered a personal copy, which is permissible in certain countries. Obviously, going to war with companies with some of the deepest pockets is an unhealthy hobby regardless.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2017, 02:04:17 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on August 26, 2017, 01:58:30 pmA large part of the licence might not be valid anyway, especially if you weren't shown a copy of the licence agreement, before handing over the money.QuoteBut installing the software, from the media supplied to you by the company, then cracking it would be a different matter, as you've not downloaded anything.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2017, 02:18:18 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on August 26, 2017, 01:58:30 pmWhich part of the license?

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2017, 02:26:39 pm
content: Quote from: Hero999 on August 26, 2017, 02:04:17 pmCircumventing security measures or using (the results of) reverse engineering are often explicitly prohibited in the agreement or conditions you agree with, and also regularly prohibited by general law. As you say, in many countries the EULA has little to no value, but general law still prohibits many things. If you have actually signed a contract, then rules might be much more stringent than when it's just a EULA. The latter will mostly apply to companies and is less likely to apply to the general public. Also, I don't think downloading is the issue, but owning a copy of a variant you have no right to. Even if you have a right to a personal copy, that's unlikely to mean you have a right to a copy that's slightly different. If you have the DVD version, you are not entitled to a BluRay version. If you have a normal copy, you have no right to extra scenes from an obscure Japanese version.Looking at sources online, the outcome seems to vary wildly, in part based upon the many nuances and different cases you will see. Looking at the text linked below below, EU citizens seem to be at least in the clear, for they have obtained the software legally and a reasonable need to circumvent security measures.Unfortunately, what anyone with half a brain would consider morally right is not necessarily what the various laws consider legal.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_engineering#Legality

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2017, 05:57:19 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on August 26, 2017, 02:26:39 pmYou're right about morality. I wonder if whether the copy protections are reasonable and if they're stopping the user from using software they've paid for would be taken into consideration?

author: TheDane
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2017, 08:51:16 pm
content: Quote from: metrologist on August 24, 2017, 02:02:46 amHave you made a backup - and tried to restored it?You might not have the newest Windows 10, naturally, but an Adobe software suite that works/worked.If not, that's what backup's are for

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2017, 04:54:22 pm
content: FWIW, in USA it is expressly legal to circumvent an "outdated" dongle, e.g. one that requires a port not present on modern systems.:http://www.tomshardware.com/news/drm-dmca-jailbreaking-unlocking-iphone,10944.html

author: M4trix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2017, 05:12:50 pm
content: Windows 10 ?

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2017, 04:28:21 am
content: Quote from: amyk on August 26, 2017, 04:21:01 amIt does sound like a screen scaling issue. I've seen similar cases of older software whose windows and dialogs end up getting cropped. Try changing the scaling setting to see if a particular one works well for you. To get to the screen scaling, do the following:1. Right-click on the Desktop.2. From the menu that appears, selectDisplay settings.3. Scroll down the page until you get to theScale and layoutsection. (Note: If you have multiple screens, select the screen you want to modify, first.)4. Click the drop down list underChange the size of text, apps, and other items.I've seen some programs work better at 100%, while others work better at 125%. However, other levels of scaling may work better for you.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 28, 2017, 09:35:39 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on August 26, 2017, 02:18:18 pmThe license means nothing. Most EULAs haven't been tested in a court and until they do, their terms aren't legally binding even if you "agree" to them as the consumer. They may as well ask you to sell your immortal soul in a EULA, it basically has the same effect.I've mentioned this in a few threads now, but Australian Consumer Law is pretty powerful stuff and extends to things like EULA's and other Licensing Agreements. A review here found that most including those by Facebook, Apple, Amazon and Microsoft would be deemed to be "unfair" by a court, merely due to their sheer length and complex wording.Of course laws vary in each country and by counterfeiting and distributing software, you are most certainly breaking at least one law for which you can be prosecuted. However these have nothing at all to do with EULAs. Also of note, in Australia it is not unlawful to simply download material which infringes on Copyright laws (sharing/uploading/distributing is another story) and infringement of Copyright law has been deemed by the courts not to equate to larceny.So that old saying "Downloading is stealing"... bzzzt... nope, at least not according to case law in Australia.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2017, 09:50:17 am
content: The bottom line is: distributing copyrighted material is usually under criminal law but for the rest it comes down to civil law and claiming damages. If you pay for a piece of software there is no damage to claim.

author: R005T3r
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2017, 01:39:11 pm
content: Quote from: John B on August 24, 2017, 02:29:08 amYou use audition?? try Izotope RX... you can do 100% more with a decent UI.. Not to mention that once you get the hang of it you can do a lot of advanced stuff, and for most of what you have to do, you don't need the advanced edition (and it's upgradable in case you need). Also another thing not to underevaluate is the community!

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2017, 04:59:32 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on August 25, 2017, 06:04:42 pmUnfortunately, you often have to gamble with the security of your computer when you do that.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2017, 05:35:27 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on August 29, 2017, 04:59:32 pmThat is an outright myth. Don't believe the scaremongers! It is easy to vet whatever is on piratebay because they have a system with qualified uploaders and commenters. Even the New York Times has served malware through the advertisements on their website! (seehttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/sep/25/malvertising)

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2017, 08:04:21 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on August 24, 2017, 03:12:39 amExcept they need to reactivate when there is any hardware change (such as switch video card or adding another HDD). Even if you merely reload a full system backup onto the same HDD, many Adobe stuff will need to be reactivated.Some products certainly has a time-based expiration. I ran into this problem with Adobe Premiere Pro (V1.5). I had a dedicated laptop for Premiere since encoding takes forever. I re-powered up my Premiere laptop which had an activated Premiere loaded to get to some old video clips. It was deactivated. I could still use the 30 days "grace time" - only if I roll back the system date.Their implementation is awful but not the worst. I purchased Version 1 of a product called Visual Communicator. A year or so later, I got a promotional offer for their new V2. Okay, I liked V1 so much I purchased V2. Installation of the upgrade automatically deinstalled V1. Then, the activation sequence refused to activate because the system cannot valid the upgrade version without V1 present. Okay, So I tried to reload V1 - it now will not reactivate and gave me an "outdated product message" of some sort. I danced around with their tech support for a while. The conclusion is I need to buy a clean version of V2. No refund nor discount - I had to buy (and pay for) V2 anew. I told them to take a hike and that was the last I used that product.This idea product activation thing is really anti-owner. I paid for the damn thing. The moment the cash register go cha-ching, that should be the activation the product should ever need.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2017, 08:33:11 pm
content: Quote from: Rick Law on August 29, 2017, 08:04:21 pmThat is exactly why many people who have bought a software use a liberation tool to activate a license without the help of the program creator.So much easier!

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2017, 08:46:35 pm
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on August 29, 2017, 08:33:11 pmYeah, I do the same damn thing. I on occasion still playing SimCity 3 and Simcity 4. Both I have purchased and the original boxes with original disc are still with me, but I only play the cracked version. I did that so as I don't have to chuck the original CD around. I don't remember if they required activation, but I don't need to care. So much easier.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2017, 09:22:01 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on August 29, 2017, 05:35:27 pmThe security community does not agree with you. That includes people that have nothing to gain from "scaremongering". What you call vetting grants you little security. You need to be a fairly competent security expert to examine software and conclude with any kind of certainty that it is clear of malware. Few, if any, torrents are audited in such a fashion. Some layman saying it's safe because his virus scanner didn't pick up on anything tells you nothing. Also, it is known that criminals use botnets and hijacked accounts to manipulate the popularity of their torrents that carry a payload, reducing the reliability of the rating system even further.Now, I won't pretend that every download is infected. It appears the problem was much worse a few years back, when Kazaa and Napster were popular, with the majority of software being compromised in some fashion back then. Today, things aren't as bad. However, that does not mean "liberated" software is safe. Downloading software from unknown sources still carries a significant security risk with it and pretending that it's a myth is a sure-fire way of getting yourself in trouble. I will reiterate my original statement: running "liberated", or cracked, software means gambling with the security of your computer. You could argue about the exact odds, but it's a bet regardless, and one with a non-trivial chance of losing.The fact that advertisements also pose a risk changes nothing about the dangers of pirated software.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2017, 09:46:06 pm
content: I guess I have been extremely lucky then for over a decade!

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2017, 10:40:08 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on August 29, 2017, 10:08:46 pmI'd like to see how that holds up in court! BTW these kind of licenses are another reason to run cracked software: there is no remote kill switch.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2017, 11:18:52 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on August 29, 2017, 09:46:06 pmPretty much no one in a botnet is aware of that factSome infections make a point of showing themselves, most try as hard as possible to stay hidden. Or maybe you got lucky. It's a numbers game.Regardless, it doesn't matter much. It's a gamble and the only discussion left is what the exact odds are.Quote from: nctnico on August 29, 2017, 10:40:08 pmDo you really think you'd stand a chance to keep your license if your key gets published on a major crackware site? There are a lot of things in agreements that will not hold up in court, but having your key published is a rather blatant breach of the basic agreement.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 29, 2017, 11:29:43 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on August 29, 2017, 11:18:52 pmJust because you enter into an agreement, doesn't mean it's legally binding.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2017, 11:39:13 pm
content: Quote from: Halcyon on August 29, 2017, 11:29:43 pmPlease take note of the context here. If your key gets published to a major crackware site and used on any scale, your key and/or license is most likely going to get revoked. That's not some obscure idiotic EULA stipulation, but at the core of a software license. You buy a single or limited use license and not an unlimited seats license for the whole world to use.Even if you are prepared to take a large, well funded company to court, which is likely going to cost you more than even very expensive licenses, you will have a hard time convincing a judge that sharing your key with the world is perfectly fine and should go without consequences.I'm well aware that a lot of the EULA stipulations are pure nonsense, but this is not quite such a case.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 04:51:55 am
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on August 29, 2017, 11:39:13 pmNot if it is unintentional. Computers get stolen from companies all the time!Besides that fixed and floating licenses are always bound to a specific machine so a license file isn't any good for anybody else than the rightfull owner. All in all it doesn't matter at all if it gets published or not because the license file only works for the licensee by design.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 07:37:06 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on August 29, 2017, 09:46:06 pmI have been lucky too for a long timeJust make sure of your source and test the tool as bast as possible before use.So far, I never had a problem.And the Adobe liberation is one of the easiest!

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 08:14:15 am
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on August 29, 2017, 11:39:13 pmSure, but no one in their right mind would do that. No one on here is suggesting that either. If your licence details happen to end up on those kinds of sites through other means, then the software provider should be re-issuing you new details or allow the existing key to keep working.I see software no different to a movie or a physical object, if I've bought it (not rented, but actually own it), then I have every right to do whatever I want to with that. No company will tell me how I'll use my software or for how long I will use it for. If I want to keep using Windows 7 in the year 2040, then I will, I paid for it and there was no expiry date on that purchase.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 02:09:24 pm
content: Quote from: Halcyon on August 30, 2017, 08:14:15 amDon't get me wrong here, I fully agree with your last paragraph. I absolutely loathe software being treated as a service, which seems to happen more and more today. The same goes for limiting what people can and do with their software, including selling it on to someone else. The fact that you cannot resell a game bought on Steam irks me to no end. Servers getting pulled down without releasing a patch to remove the activation requirement, so that you cannot activate your legally purchases software any more is infuriating. Adding injury to insult, software nowadays often isn't really a product any more. You rent the right to connect to someone else's servers and you have to pray and hope that your services and IP are there tomorrow.However, how I feel changes little about the current state of affairs. Licenses are often treated differently from actual property and apparently, the law in many cases permits this. Being cavalier with your license, especially when it's a $11000 dollar license, is rather risky. It's a can of worms you'd rather not find yourself near. It also changes little about the fact that running cracked software carries intrinsic risks. That comes with the territory. You download and run software from an unknown source, who has nothing to lose by exploiting you, and something to gain. Obviously, sooner or later, someone is going to abuse that situation. That doesn't only make sense in theory, but in practice, we also see that things actually work that way. There are much more complex vectors being exploited all the time, so there is little reason to assume this one isn't.Quote from: HighVoltage on August 30, 2017, 07:37:06 amAt the risk of having a never ending discussion, but how do you know you've never had a problem?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 02:51:44 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on August 30, 2017, 02:09:24 pmThink about market penetration and vendor lock-in. If software is unhackable then there won't be so many users and competitors with lower prices may end up getting your piece of the pie. The currently used licensing systems (mostly flexLM) for professional software are easy to circumvent.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 03:14:13 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on August 30, 2017, 02:09:24 pmWell, I would never know 100%, of what is hiding in such a tool and if it would do something harmful in the future.Just based on results, I had no problems so far.Also, make sure to have the following running all the time:- good Anti virus program- good Anti malware program- good Anti spy program- good FirewallI know very well, this will not prevent everything but it is a minimum start.And have some good common sense.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 03:38:53 pm
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on August 30, 2017, 03:14:13 pmNot having had problems is the part I have some trouble with. Unless you are infected with malware that makes itself known, like ransomware, you might never know that you're part of a botnot, C&C network or infected by malware that tries to steal banking data. Obviously, your precautions are a good start, but most people who are infected will never know. How many people knew Sony was installing a rootkit on their computers before a single security researcher broke the news? It was even found installed on computers of the Department of Defense, very well monitored and secured computers. Criminals have much more to gain from staying hidden than to make themselves known, although the already mentioned ransomware is a new exception to that.What would help is some additional investigation of the software. Sandbox it or install it in a VM and see how it behaves and which files it modifies. Block and monitor any network traffic coming from the sandbox or VM. Compare the files against a known uncracked version of the software, to see what files have been modified. Disassemble or decompile the files to see what differences have been made. With some investigation, you can start making an educated estimation of what the modifications to the software actually doThere are plenty of free and cheap tools out there that can tell you a lot of what is happening below the surface of your computer.Quote from: nctnico on August 30, 2017, 02:51:44 pmThat's what trial, educational or limited licenses are forMany give away their software in limited version, some even give away the full version for personal use or use in small companies.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 08:17:29 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on August 30, 2017, 02:09:24 pmYou just made me shiver. Every week at work I see SaaS (Software as a Service) being promoted everywhere and it's cloud-this, cloud-that. I can barely use a word processor (Microsoft Word) without being connected to the "cloud".I'm no expert but this all seems way more expensive in the long-run.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 10:02:24 pm
content: Indeed, I noticed that Adobe are now selling their offerings on monthly subscription only. Which has permanently ruled me out of purchasing any of their products.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 11:11:09 pm
content: Remember when everything used dongles? Now dongle-based licencing is reserved for mostly specialised or very expensive software. I'd rather use a physical dongle over this cloud/subscription based crap.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 11:24:28 pm
content: Today's dongle is the cloud.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 11:30:41 pm
content: QuoteNot quite as useful as you think: malware is known to detect the VM and stay hidden so as not to alert AV researchers to its presence.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2017, 07:17:54 am
content: Quote from: Halcyon on August 30, 2017, 11:11:09 pmOh yes, ... 1988 ...On one lab PC, we had so many dongles in stacks on the port in the back, that this stack was longer that the PCSo, one day, someone moved the PC and ripped out all dongles and one died in the process.The vendor wanted the same amount again and not just replace a broken dongle.So, we decided to get rid of all dongles.It was astonishingly easy in those days to circumvent a dongle.We just kept the dongles to proof that we had bought the software.Good old days !