> some mathematical function is used to assess keys > that function is guessed from several hundred or so examples > a range of values are generated and checked against said function > some lucky value gets a pass and is forwarded to you > it might work
Meowth replied with this 11 years ago, 2 hours later, 3 hours after the original post[^][v]#519,877
@519,857 (A)
Basically the numbers you enter either complete an algorithm correctly or incorrectly. If correct, you're allowed to proceed and yeah. In short answer, it's just math.
Edit: I should also mention sometimes there can be an implemented key that always works. I forgot which copy of windows but it allowed you to use all ones.
(Edited 2 minutes later.)
Anonymous E joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 4 hours later, 8 hours after the original post[^][v]#519,910
The key itself is generally just some encoded information displayed as a GUID or whatever. First step is to undo that encoding, see what is really stored, and inspect the key validation algorithm embedded in your target application. Then with some skill and time it's possible to reverse this algorithm and deduce how valid keys are generated, they are usually based off of a name field and some random data.
Notably keygens will only work for software that does the key validation offline. One simple way to beat keygens is to simply not use a key generation algorithm, instead the server generates a purely random key upon payment and gives this to the customer. Then when the customer uses this key the application will phone home to the server and ask if the key is valid. Keygens cannot beat this because there is no algorithm to check if the key is valid, they simply store valid keys on the server and cross them off when they're used. Software like this more commonly requires a crack to disable the online verification, or at the very least trick it into thinking it always succeeds.
Usually it's also easier to create a crack instead of a keygen. A keygen usually requires intricate understanding of the key generation algorithm and (probably) a fair amount of assembly. A crack for a program that doesn't try to protect itself from cracks too much is usually just a 1 byte change, turning a JE (jump if equal) into a JNE (jump if not equal)
(Edited 1 minute later.)
Killer Lettuce !!iNo3FkiZx joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 4 minutes later, 8 hours after the original post[^][v]#519,911
I'm not going to lie, for a brief moment, I thought that the OP said "How do kegals work?".
DasSheeple joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 1 minute later, 8 hours after the original post[^][v]#519,912
Lol, all these complicated answers... how they work is actually pretty simple to explain.
When you press "Generate" they give you a key that you can copy/paste to use to activate a game/application.
Anonymous E replied with this 11 years ago, 29 minutes later, 8 hours after the original post[^][v]#519,917
@previous (DasSheeple)
How does that even answer "How do they know what numbers to choose?"?
DasSheeple replied with this 11 years ago, 24 minutes later, 9 hours after the original post[^][v]#519,924
@previous (E)
I'm answering to the thread topic, rest is irrelevant.
But keygens choose numbers according to if the generated key will work with the software in the end or not. Ofc. it won't choose numbers that won't work... duh...
Anonymous E replied with this 11 years ago, 15 minutes later, 9 hours after the original post[^][v]#519,929
@previous (DasSheeple)
Dude, what the fuck? So you think it's fine to utterly and completely disregard the body of the topic, and only respond to the headline?
Anonymous H joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 15 minutes later, 9 hours after the original post[^][v]#519,934
FuckAlms !vX8K53rFBI joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 3 hours later, 13 hours after the original post[^][v]#519,968
@519,877 (Meowth)
I think that applied to all versions of Windows distributed via CD. I think what they did was just release patches to invalidate keys that were found to be shared online.
Meowth replied with this 11 years ago, 1 day later, 1 day after the original post[^][v]#520,200
@previous (FuckAlms !vX8K53rFBI)
It was 95 or 98 I think, although I know what you're saying. I'm saying this specific windows version had the key 11111-11111-11111-11111 implemented so that the developers could easily test the installer. Microsoft forgot to delete that and it was publicly released that way.
(Edited 37 seconds later.)
FuckAlms !vX8K53rFBI replied with this 11 years ago, 5 days later, 1 week after the original post[^][v]#521,631
@previous (Meowth)
Ah, I hadn't heard of that. I should try it sometime.