Software Based mostly Vs Hardware Primarily based - Software License Protection
Software License Protection is means the safety answer where software developers use to integrate into their software applications with the intention to prevent unauthorized usage or illegal execution of their software. Software developers can either purchase Software License Protection solutions from third party solution suppliers or develop it in-house. Currently, there are two common Software License Protection ways, i.e. Software based and Hardware based.
Software based Software License Protection is that the earliest protection technique on the market and sometimes the protected application will require user to key in Serial No., License Key or Unlock Code to activate the software license. Most of the third party Software License Protection provider can give a prepared created encryption engine of that software developers can use this to encrypt their software applications as to feature the protection layer onto their software applications. Sometimes, the protection will tie with some unique ID from the computer system such as Arduous Disk ID or Network Card ID. Conjointly due to the current reason, usually if there's any hardware problem such as Onerous Disk or Network Card spoiled, license re-activation can be needed. It will also suggests that the Software Developers can need to keep track and verify the License Key reissue request from the top users, of that some end users may try to require advantage on it. As Software based mostly Protection don't return with any additional devices, it can must store all the licensing data into the computer system and principally hide it within registry.
Professional
- Lower ownership value
Most probably it is cheaper than Hardware primarily based in long term if you get from third party supplier with one-off purchase (without license loyalty model).
- Easier to implement
Sometimes it comes with limited security measures and therefore the implementation can be easier.
Con
- Lower security
As Software based can only store and hide all the protection data into the computer system, it can come with higher risk as hackers are in a position to find those information easily and maybe crack it.
- Too dependent on computer hardware
Most Software based protections are too computer hardware dependent and thus if any pc hardware problem, reinstallation or license reactivation will be required. There are also potentialities some finish users can attempt to take advantage of it by requesting further license keys for additional workstations instead.
Hardware primarily based Software License Protection is now the most in style protection method where the top user will require to plug in the valid hardware device to the pc in order to run the application. Third party provider will sell the devices that is commonly called Dongles along with software SDK for software developers to try and do the integration. Typically for Hardware primarily based Software License Protection, finish user can not require to key in any Serial No., License Key nor Unlock Code, simply plug in the Dongle and run the applying, the protection can authenticate the license through Dongle. There are various completely different types of Dongles obtainable in the market and the most advanced Dongles are now engineered primarily based on MCU Smart Card of that it is in a position to supply terribly maximum protection and therefore make hacking almost impossible. As now, software developers are able to see your software licenses with their Dongles therefore create software distribution a lot of easier and additional secure.
Professional
-Higher security
A good Dongle can provide very maximum security if software developers implement it in the proper way. As Software developers not solely ready store the license data inside the Dongle but additionally ready to perform several others security features onboard of which it can actually make hacking more difficult. The lasted MCU Smart Card based mostly Dongles will build hacking such protection like hacking our EMV Credit Cards, a minimum of it is not possible with these days hacking technology.
-Higher software distribution
With Dongle, software developers will be ready to distribute their software as ready-pack product and therefore make many totally different software distribution models possible.
Con
-Higher value per license
Because the protected software can want to distribute along with Dongle, it can add into the software costing as well.
-Compatibility issue
Some Dongle would possibly have some compatibility downside to sure atmosphere such as different OS, completely different network settings or maybe completely different firewall configuration. Selecting the proven and well-known Dongle will be in a position to eliminate such issue.
Completely different software developers may have different preferences on choosing either Software based mostly or Hardware primarily based Software License Protection into their software applications. The common factors influence their choices are as below:-
Total Price of Ownership
-This can embrace overall investment on acquire such protection methodology that will be the Initial price to get, value to integrate and price per software license. Most importantly, will the choice taken give positive come back on investment.
Time to Roll-Out
-Overall implementation time, will this protection have an effect on the software roll out schedule or can the integration consume too much of our resources to accomplish it. A smart protection strategy should notice the right balance purpose among this consideration.
Security
-How sturdy can the protection technique combat against the potential threat of being pirated, typically higher price software might need higher security protection then low price mass market software.
Business Model
-Whether the protection technique can best suit into their overall business model of which can embody product distribution, product pricing, licensing management and of course promoting activities.
Author Resource:
Gervais Hayes has been writing articles online for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in Software, you can also check out latest website about
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