What in the heck is a "challenge code"???

Hello. I need anyone to explain to me what is a "challenge code"???

I paid for a license for a program and I have to submit an e-mail with a challenge code to the developer in order to get a license key. I have never heard of the term before and I need to understand how this works? It looks like a string of characters within brackets. I am having a tough time trying to find anything on the web about it.

Please reply.

Thanks!

yeah it's typically a anti-spam measure as JDobbsy1987 indicatedbecause unfortunately bots are getting better at defeating captcha systems.As the name implies it's sending you a "challenge" so send back a response by emailing the code back or if's based on logic send back the answer instead.

JDobbsy1987 said:

I would like to add that i have never had to send an email to a developer when buying software, what software is it?

From your perspective, I see why you may think it is strange.

@ anyone:

Okay, it is a "paid" add-on for Firefox. It is called FoxySpider (v.1.1.1). It is a personal web crawler. Yes, it is PAID! (Unusual for Firefox add-ons -- paid!) I like it. You get a free 30-days fully functional trial and then it gets lowered to limited features after the trial expires. I already paid thru PayPal and now I have to submit to the developer to get back an e-mail with my license. Check it out if you like and maybe you can tell me what the "Challenge code" is? Check out the "Options" button for FoxySpider in Add-ons Manager and go to the "License" tab to see "Challenge Code" near the bottom.

Please reply.

Hello again. I found the answer after SEVERAL hours of research and I DO NOT LIKE WHAT I HAVE FOUND!!! ...AT ALL!!!

I hope and pray NO ONE EVER USES THIS software authorization/licensure technology!!! It is an PURE EVIL TECHNOLOGY!!! I see **A LOT** of complaints from users if this technology ever got popular by developers!!! (The software companies would go out of business very quickly because of its strict nature because no one would be buying their products!!!)

Let me explain:

I found that this is a coupled authorization technology that as a means to officially authorize a (paid) programs license exclusively to one's computer. When you install a program for the first time in the operating system, the program will automatically generate a challenge code that is unique to the computer on which you installed that software. You cannot change the challenge code. It is permanent (well, maybe not for hackers). When you want to buy the program (since you would be using a trial version of it right along), you have to submit the challenge code along coupled some proof that you paid for the product (maybe through a point-of-sale) and your registered e-mail address/name to the developer or the company that owns the product. You can submit this data online to receive the license key. Once you get it back from the developer or company you enter the license key along side the challenge code. Now, the license key is DIRECTLY TIED TO the challenge code. No online server is really necessary to authorize the license. So the licensed product is now connected to that computer and ONLY THAT computer. Sounds great??!?!?! NO!!!!! What if I were to have my system crash or malware destroy my computer by chance???? DOES HAPPEN!!! If I had to re-install Windows on a few occasions! I am sure I am not alone, and if I were to re-install that same licensed program on my new operating system, I could NOT use that same license key on this same program again. Normally, license keys follow the program ONLY and the number of times you have activated it. Yes, you are GIVEN A NUMBER of activations and that is VERY FAIR! So if I completely lost my operating system, I would be still able to activate my licensed software later on. But now, this is more direct and DIRECTLY TIED to your system!!! Reason: The challenge code is particular to your installed operating system and every challenge code is unique! ...and the challenge code and license key are linked together. There is no need for an online activation server. BOTTOM LINE: With this kind of technology, if I were to lose my operating system for whatever reason (especially by accident), I am going to have to RE-PURCHASE my software again I ALREADY PAID FOR!!! I am talking some $$$!!!! IT SUCKS!!! I hope developers are not that stupid to consider this kind of technology unless they want to go out of business!

I will avoid this kind of software!!! I hope you do too! :) There has to be a level of tolerance!!! NOT with this technology here!!!

Have you bothered to go back to the company and ask what the process is for reinstalling if your computer dies?

Hello all!

Well, I have just checked my e-mail and I found that the author/developer has replied to me about my question I submitted to about this very issue earlier today... ...and shortly after responded to me via e-mail again regarding this particular thread on this forum. I do not know if the author/developer is a member of this forum or someone here contacted him directly over this issue from the info. above, but regardless, I will clear and air I hope and set the record straight:

1st - Author/Developer's response to my first e-mail:

"As for your OS re-installation question:
Reinstalling your OS will most likely lead to a new challenge code assignment. Once you are there, re-send your challenge code and a new license key will be provided."

Now, I will say that the author/developer is being definitely "tolerant" and accommodating to the strict authorization technology. I totally appreciate that! :) This time I got lucky to find someone who understands the circumstances and is will to work with me and others as well.

2nd - Author/Developer's Response to this thread:

"By the way, I have noticed your thread in What in the heck is a "challenge code"??? and wanted you to be rest assured. I have no inteation (intention) to keep my user frustrated and in the rare case of HD crash, OS re-installation, etc., I provide new license keys. Only in the case of a totally new PC a new purchase is required."

Now, that is appreciated! I surely like to hear that! I will recommend this particular program add-on for Firefox and others.

However, besides the agreed cooperation I did get from the author/developer on this particular program, the honest fact remains the strict method and process of this particular means of program activation/authentication should not be used with program/software installations for activation purposes. You will be at the whim of the author/developer and you just may not have one as cooperative and appreciative as this gentlemen has been -- you're out of luck! You may not find someone as understanding as this author/developer. The sheer fact that the nature of this authorization/authentication technology will always put the purchaser with severe limited recourse for unforeseeable circumstances and at the beckoned call of the author/developer wishes. Just hope you have a good author/developer or company that is willing to work with you if you decided to opt for program/software with this means of authorization/authentication technology!

This particular authorization/authentication technology should only be used where it originated, and to my understanding it started in the U.S. Armed Forces to authenticate and encrypt some communications using encrypting data. The monetary banking systems then instituted it, etc. Please understand, I have no problems with its use for particular security matters; but NOT implemented on a Johnny's personal computer with third party programs and software that depend on precarious operating systems for their stability. A good analogy would be building a high tech fortress on top of a sandy and unstable ground. The ground may be good most of the time, but if ever unanticipated heavy rains and floods wash out the ground, you will lose your fortress and have to reconstruct it all over again on some other ground.

Except for this add-on product for Firefox, personally I will never buy into a product like this again that offers this kind of strict authorization/authentication technology. I will research the authorization/authentication technology means FIRST and make part of my decision on this factor. Other authorization/authentication technology methods as I mentioned above in my initial post are fair and content for one's use.