Question Of The Week
Keygen vs Crack
What is the difference?
Both are different forms of software piracy!! A keygen (key generator) is a small program that will generate valid serial/registration numbers for a software. Cracking is the modification of a software to remove its protection methods and the modified .EXE file is called as Crack. These are created by software cracking groups and made available for free download on various websites.
How do they create?
The authors of Keygen or Crack typically use a method called a reverse engineering. They disassemble the software to look at the raw assembly code of the program. Once they get access to the program's code, they locate the subroutine(s) responsible for serial number verification or CD check, then reverse the algorithm used to generate valid keys and incorporate it into the keygen or modify the .EXE and some other files to produce a Crack.
How do these work?
Some Keygens are easy to use. Whenever a software is asking for serial number during installation, you can simply generate and copy one from a Keygen. Some Keygens are slightly complicated because the software will need a telephone code too. But don't bother, the crackers usually provide a instruction manual along with the Keygen!!
Some programs and games will ask you to insert the original CD whenever you open them. There comes the Crack to your help. If you just copy and paste the cracked files (usually a modified .EXE file and some other .DLL files) into the installed program folder, you can use it without the original CD.
Whenever the validity period of a trial version of a software is over, you can either use a Keygen or Crack according to the need and availabilty.
What are the problems?
Most of the programs will try to communicate with their homesite for verification if your internet is open. Of course, you can block that communication permanently when your ESET Smart Security alerts you. But you will lose the privilege of Automatic Updates.
The biggest problem comes from viruses. Remember, NOTHING COMES FREE IN THIS WORLD. Why should the crackers spend their time and energy to create something for your free use? Since both Keygen and Crack are .EXE files, there is a 50% chance for you to get an incorporated virus. In simple terms, if you download a Keygen or Crack, it may either be a good one or a bad one. Although not all crackers are hackers, sometimes your Anti-virus software will falsely classify keygens as viruses and remove them. This happens because some algorithms of anti-virus software detect certain blocks of suspicious code and thus it becomes difficult to differentiate between a good keygen and a virus container.
The Ultimate fact is, you will be taking a risk while downloading and using a Keygen or Crack. Of course, you can safely copy and paste a serial number published in a website, but it is upto your conscience and your country's law to decide upon the issue!!
