What is a CD Key?
A CD key (also known as a product key or a serial number) is included with most software releases for personal and business computers. The purchaser of the software is required enter CD key during installation. The key helps to ensure the software is an original copy. The CD key is usually a combination of letters and numbers.
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History
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The concept behind a product key began when software was sold on floppy disks, which were easily copyable. It was common for friends and family to share software or computer games amongst themselves by allowing others to use their "backup" copies of the disks or to merely do a full install of the program onto the hard drive. For computer games, product keys were sometimes disguised as puzzles within the stories, in which a user had to reference a unique code in the game's manual in order to bypass a certain point in the game. In this way, the player would need the original copy of the manual in addition to its corresponding disks in order to play the game.
Before the market accessibility of CD burning technology, releasing software on compact discs was seen as a way to circumvent the need for product keys. Because the capacity of most hard disks was too little in order to accommodate a full install from a CD-ROM game and few end users could afford a CD burner, releasing software on CD-ROM and requiring the CD to be in the drive to run the program was an effective method of protecting software from being distributed unofficially.
Now that CD burners come standard in most computers, new measures had to be introduced to prevent sharing of software. As such, we have seen the return of the product key as the CD key.
Function
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CD keys are randomly generated passcodes that will unlock a certain program for use. Typically, CD keys are generated by running a username through an algorithm. This allows the developer to distribute unique CD keys to end users. In this way, it is as if each CD and machine had it's own "password." For example, a CD key that worked for one user would not work to unlock the software on another machine.
Recently, products like Microsoft Office have added further anti-piracy measures. For example, if two users are on the same network using the same purchased copy of Microsoft Office, the program will detect multiple instances of the program running and shut one of them down. -
Time Frame
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Software piracy (i.e. the illicit distribution of software without a license or permission) has always been a concern for those selling computer programs and games. By allowing users to exchange software free of charge, profits for the developer suffered, thereby driving up the sales price for the original purchaser.
Further, with the advent of the Internet, file sharing programs and BitTorrents, the exchange of software became even easier. CD keys and other anti-piracy measures work to protect the bottom line of the developer as well as keep prices low. Although it is still possible to download copies of software from the Internet, the new challenge in using pirated software is to crack the CD key or registration codes needed to unlock the software for use.
Considerations
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Be careful not to discard the CD key along with the packaging after installing the software. If you need to reinstall the software on your current machine or purchase a new computer and want to transfer the program, you will need the CD key again. While some developers allow users to purchase additional CD keys, in many cases you will simply have to buy the software again at full price if you have lost your CD key.
Warning
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It is also advisable not to attempt to crack CD keys or misuse CD keys. This is considered piracy, and some companies now have ways to detect and take action against such CD key abuse. For example, if you are caught using someone else's CD key or cracking software, the software developer may disable the program for both you and the original purchaser. Further, depending on the scale of the CD key abuse, you may be liable for criminal charges or fines.
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