Frequently Asked Questions |
What is the cost of using
NeoSecure?
Why is NeoSecure better than an algorithm
system?
Why does NeoSecure need an online connection?
What happens if the NeoSecure server is down?
Can we use this for all our products and what is the
cost?
Do we really have the ability to disable specific
copies?
Explain how the "News Flash" works.
What can be done with the Administrative Access?
What if we decide to discontinue the use of NS?
What type of files can NS Shell protect?
What are other current or future uses of
NeoSecure?
What is the
cost of using NeoSecure?
There is a small one-time set-up fee and then all
you have to do is purchase the special NeoSecure Serial Number / Unlock
Key sets as you need them. For complete pricing details, launch our
Pricing page into
a new browser window.
Why is NeoSecure better than
an algorithm system?
Currently there are two basic types of software security
system in use:
The onboard algorithm system has an algorithm
hard-coded into the program's source code. Serial numbers that match the
algorithm will unlock any copy of the product. The major problem with this
system is that once the algorithm has been cracked, the "cracked" serial
numbers will work in all copies of your product. This can be as simple as
someone posting a valid serial number on one of the hundreds of "crack"
websites or newsgroups. This will result in loss of sales to you.
The machine specific algorithm system is somewhat
more secure in that each serial number issued will only work on a specific
machine or installation of the product. This is accomplished by issuing a
serial number based on an algorithm that is based on a master code and a
unique machine identifier that is created when the product is installed such
as the hard drive serial number or BIOS Id and/or the system clock.
There are two problems with this system. First, it usually
requires additional communication with the end-user. Once they install such
a product, they must first send you the unique identifier before you can
produce and send them the correct serial number. Also, depending on the system,
each reinstall (even on the same machine) of the product will require a new
serial number because the unique identifier will be somewhat different.
On the other hand, the NeoSecure system is virtually
hack/crack proof. There is not an algorithm to crack because NeoSecure does
not use one. If someone tries to use a serial number / unlock key that is
not contained in your NeoSecure master files - the program will not unlock
- it is that simple - and that secure.
Additionally, NeoSecure offers the ability to limit
the number of times any given sets of keys can be used. We all know
how common it is for someone to buy one copy of your software and use the
serial number on 2, 5, or 20 copies. The NeoSecure system tracks each
use of all serial numbers that you can easily view with your Admin Access.
As soon as you add any serial number(s) to a special file that number won't
be disabled - but it also won't be accepted to register additional copies
of your product.
Of course, the major feature of NeoSecure is the ability
to instantly disable all copies of your product that are using any given
serial number. In the event of a legitimate refund, a fraudulent purchase
or unauthorized use/distribution of a serial number - you can quickly
and easily disable it - something that can not be done with most software
distribution / security systems!
Why does
NeoSecure need an online connection?
The online connection is the heart of the NeoSecure
system. The NeoSecure Plug-in or Shell makes a server-side check of your
NeoSecure files to get the very latest status the serial number being used
to register a program or to see if it has been disabled or if there
is a "News Flash" available. For instance, if you discover one of your
serial numbers on a "crack" newsgroup and disable it now, that will
immediately effect every single copy installed with that number.
Because NeoSecure does require an online connection during
the registration and subsequent launches of the NeoSecured program, it is
most recommended for Internet related products that make an online connection
as part of the basic functions. However, NeoSecure can be used for any product
or content files as long as the users does have access to the Interent.
What
happens if the NeoSecure server is
down?
Hey, it happens. This is the Internet after all. There
is not a single company in the world that can claim 100% uptime on their
servers.
That is why the NeoSecure system uses not only a primary,
but also secondary backup servers on completely different networks, in different
parts of the country, using different backbone providers.
Internally, NeoSecure is programmed to contact the primary
server, However, if that server does not respond within a few seconds, NeoSecure
will automatically contact the backups to finish its job.
Can
we use this for all our products and what is the cost?
Yes, if you have multiple software products that you would
like to use the NeoSecure Plug-in with, that can easily be done
with a single set-up on our servers. You would then purchase different NeoSecure
key sets for each product but you would control them all from your single
Admin Access page.
For NeoSecure Shell protected products, a separate set-up
fee would apply to each product. Please see the section on
Pricing for Specifics.
Do we
really have the ability to disable specific copies?
Yes, quickly and easily. Because NeoSecure makes
a server-side check every time your NeoSecured product is launched,
you can add a serial number to the "Disabled" list, and until you remove
that number, all copies of your product using that number will cease to function.
As the programmer, you can decide what actually happens when NeoSecure responds
that its number has been disabled.
Explain
how the "News Flash" works.
The "News Flash" is another major feature of the NeoSecure
system that provides you, as the product owner, a "backdoor" or live Internet
channel into every single installed copy of your NeoSecured products.
To trigger a "There is a News Flash available - would
you like to view it?" dialog box, all you have to do is go to your Admin
Access page and change a single number and verify the URL you want launched
into the users default browser. Once a user has viewed the News Flash, the
Alert box will not show up again until next time you trigger it. The News
Flash revision check is made every time your product is launched. This a
great way to keep your customers notified of upgrades, new products or what
ever.
What can be done with the Administrative Access?
Most of this has been covered else where on this page
or this site. But to summarize, this is what you can do from your web-based
Administrative Access page:
-
View the master list of your current valid serial numbers
and how many times each has been used to register a copy of your NeoSecured
product.
-
Prevent a serial number from being used to register
again - but not disabling already installed copies.
-
Disable any given serial number(s). All copies using such
a number will cease to function.
-
Trigger the "News Flash" dialog box in all installed copies
and verify/change the URL to be loaded into the user's default browser.
What if
we decide to discontinue the use of NS?
Not a problem. If you decide to discontinue the use of
NeoSecure for one of your products, you simple compile a new version using
what ever security system you like. Then you use the Admin Access to trigger
the "News Flash" and inform all users of your NeoSecured version to download
your latest version thereby replacing the NeoSecured version.
What type
of files can NS Shell protect?
Almost anything. Sound (.wav, .mid, etc), video (.avi,
.mov, .mpeg), data files, even other software products that can't use the
NeoSecure Plug-In can be wrapped up inside a NeoSecure Shell.
What are other current or future
uses of NeoSecure?
NeoSecure can be used not only to secure files from
unauthorized use and distribution, but can also be used to confirm the delivery
and the installation of files.
Using the automated Email notifications NeoSecure sends
upon the installation and registration of a NeoSecured product, you could
NeoSecure a file (documents, databases, etc) and have absolute and real-time
proof that certain recepients had received and installed the files.
Branded, customized software versions: In the near future,
we will be adding another features to NeoSecure that will allow you to instantly
created "branded" or "dealer" or "custom" versions of your software without
having to re-compile the source code.
