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

[montecarlo1987]

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!

 

[JDobbsy1987]

If you are referring to what i think you are then this is normally an anti-spam measure, you see it quite a lot when registering to forums/sites, it is normally an image and you have to type the letters/numbers into a box to prove you are not a robot and you are actually human .

It sounds like you need to send that code:

It looks like a string of characters within brackets.

to the developer.

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

Regards,
JDobbsy1987

 

[NTFSStream]

yeah it's typically a anti-spam measure as JDobbsy1987 indicated because 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.

 

[montecarlo1987]

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.

 

[montecarlo1987]

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!!! :devil: 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!!!

 

[JDobbsy1987]

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!!! :devil: 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!!!

I wasn't aware of this but it is why i 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?

If that is the case then i'm glad you found the info early

Regards,
JDobbsy1987

 

[Britton30]

I fully agree with you montecarlo1987. I would ask for a refund. It would be another story if the buyer was made aware of this before paying for the software. It is a good business plan I suppose but not a good business practice.

 

[richnrockville]

Sad as it is, there are people out there that are pirates and try to scam the software developers out of their rightful due so the developers have to resort to extreme measures to thwart the pirates.

Rich

 

[DeaconFrost]

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

 

[montecarlo1987]

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 http://www.sevenforums.com/software/164021-what-heck-challenge-code.html 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.

 

[Tepid]

No I would never agree to this type of activation for any product.

I don't really like server activation either, ala Steam or Windows Activation for instance.
What if one day the company goes under? What will happen to those activation servers?
Are they going to unlock all that software? No.

Basically, you are SOL if that ever happens.
Hope you enjoyed all those games you will not ever be able to play again.

"Oh, that will never happen. it's too big to fail."
I laugh heartily and just stare with amazement.

 

[montecarlo1987]

@ Tepid:

Hello. Thanks for the reply.

Yes, you are so true. ...and YES, this happened to similarly me a few years ago too!!!

I remember it vividly because I was so mad!

I had a software that I paid about $150 dollars for. It was for video editing. It was compatible with Windows XP at the time. I loved using it. The point was they sold the product license/rights to SONY and they terminated it. In the termination of the product, they blocked their activation servers for this product. Well, I think I had a malicious virus do some harm to my system registry, since viruses started to appear in my Quarantine about the same time. My system worked, but froze up at times. So I had to re-install Windows XP. What a "BIG" pain to re-install all my software, but anyways I had went to activate my product while I was installing it. It failed. I contacted the company via e-mail and it is then that I found they no longer manufactured the product. I told them 'okay, so...' '...can't you still activate my software for me still since it is YOUR product???' They said they couldn't. There is nothing they could do for me. Boy, was I real HOT!!! It STILL bugs me TODAY when I think about it!!! I recall using the product for about 6 months until this re-installation of Windows had happened. I was stuck with a worthless product since activation was required before it could be used. I kept it for awhile around the house and then finally trashed it. Yes, activations can be a real issue! I understand why they have them, but they are a real pain and there can be a loss for the user!!!

 

[Tepid]

Hence, those that did not pirate before, may pirate due to these measures.

 

[armyslowrdr]

yup--neoscene video software utilizes challenge code. I found out when I updated to Windows 7 64 bit and again when I switched out my RAM. Each time I had to contact the company and explain what was happening and they were kind enough to issue me a reset. They did after the 2d time they had to do it in the same week though tell me do all my upgrading at once then request..lol.

 

[montecarlo1987]

Hence, those that did not pirate before, may pirate due to these measures.

Yes, that can happen-- but rare. But under normal conditions, companies or developers watch over their 'flock'. When a license/rights is sold to another company (like SONY), either the rights for the 'original owner' on previous versions of a product are still intact with the 'original owner' and they find some means to activate it for me... ...or ALL rights are carried over to the 'new owner' of the product. In that case, SONY would of continued with the activation for my product in some manner. In my case, they just dropped it like a hot potato. I never thought that was right. But I am the little person in this bigger scheme of things, so I lose.

 

[Tepid]

Hence, those that did not pirate before, may pirate due to these measures.

Yes, that can happen-- but rare. But under normal conditions, companies or developers watch over their 'flock'. When a license/rights is sold to another company (like SONY), either the rights for the 'original owner' on previous versions of a product are still intact with the 'original owner' and they find some means to activate it for me... ...or ALL rights are carried over to the 'new owner' of the product. In that case, SONY would of continued with the activation for my product in some manner. In my case, they just dropped it like a hot potato. I never thought that was right. But I am the little person in this bigger scheme of things, so I lose.

Yep, make it as difficult as possible for those who wish to follow the rules.
And the point of that is???

That's a rhetorical question obviously.

 

[montecarlo1987]

@ Tepid:

It goes to show nice guys and gals finish last, when you honest and you DO pay for your products!

I agree, this type of strict authorization/authentication technology will definitely inflame more piracy... ...there is no question... ...and the honest and innocent little guys and gals will get brunt in the crossfire between the pirates and the software developers and experience increased difficulty. Don't you like the days when things were easier (like during the birth of the Internet)? There has to be other means to prevent piracy and not resort to this kind of strict authorization/authentication technology? Where are the major geeks out there?

 

[Zepher]

@ Tepid:

It goes to show nice guys and gals finish last, when you honest and you DO pay for your products!

I agree, this type of strict authorization/authentication technology will definitely inflame more piracy... ...there is no question... ...and the honest and innocent little guys and gals will get brunt in the crossfire between the pirates and the software developers and experience increased difficulty. Don't you like the days when things were easier (like during the birth of the Internet)? There has to be other means to prevent piracy and not resort to this kind of strict authorization/authentication technology? Where are the major geeks out there?

I personally don't care for the Challenge Code Authentication system since it is usually slow and only works during normal business hours since someone has to authenticate the code and generate an activation code.

there is one program that a client of mine uses for his sign printing business that uses that system. Last time I had to repair his machine and re-install that program, we waited about 20 minutes for the reply email, then I called the company and had them authenticate over the phone since I get paid by the hour and didn't want to wait there all day. the client is also a friend so I didn't want to have to charge him for my idle time. (even though we are friends, this is business related).

I think they use this method since it is easier than setting up and maintaining a dedicated authentication server, (probably cheaper too).