[+] Activation Server added new activation policy for secure evaluation
The new activation policy for secure evaluation enables the Activation Server to accept the activation request if one or more of the hardware signatures is different from those from the previous activation. When distributing software as secure evaluation, this new activation policy ensures that the user cannot reuse the Activation Key to activate the trial software on the same machine.
[+] Improved KeyCheck .NET Component for automatic search of various Key types
The KeyCheck .NET Component is improved to handle automatic search for various types of the Key, including local PC License, network PC License, local USB License, and network USB License. This can be useful if you want to protect and distribute your application as a single version that supports any license types.
[+] Added KeyCheck API sample code for automatic search of 4 license types
The added sample code demonstrates how to interface the KeyCheck .NET Component to automatically search and detect the available Key, in the following order: local USB License, network USB License, local PC License, and network PC License.
[+] Updated documentation for Activation Server, including new tutorials
The ElecKey Reference Help is updated with more information about the Activation Server, including deployment instructions and tutorials. It also includes instructions for installation on a shared hosted server using the Parallels Plesk Panel control panel. The online version of the Activation Server documentation is now available at: http://help.eleckey.net/activationserver.
[+] Improved limit settings in LicenseKey Manager / USB LicenseKey Manager
In LicenseKey Manager / USB LicenseKey Manager, you can now enable and specify both ExpiredDate and Max-Day limits. In this case, the protected application will be expired when whichever limit is reached first.
[+] End-user utilities added silent mode for online activation
The end-user utilities for the protected application now support the silent mode (without UI) for online activation, including activating, deactivating, and destroying license. You can execute the utilities by passing the Activation Key (e.g. Register 0123-4567-89AB-CDEF-0123).
[+] Added new API function 'InstantProtectionParam'
The Instant KeyCheck API added new function 'InstantProtectionParam' to support the end-user utilities running in the silent mode.
[+] Added feature 'evaluation update' for PC License
The General Evaluation licensing allows the user to start using the trial version immediately after installation. But, to extend the trial period, the user must obtain an evaluation License Key. In case you issue a new evaluation release, you can enable this new feature so that the user can update the trial version to a newer release, and start a new trial period without having to obtain an evaluation License Key.
[+] Improved USB License Key for time-based licensing
You can make the USB License Key (dongle) for time-based licensing (e.g. for evaluating or leasing the application) by specifying the Max-Day limit. In this case, the Day-Count of the license will start when the USB License Key is used to unlock the application for the first time.
[+] Activation Server added feature 'fixed expiration licensing'
This new feature gives an additional option for time-based licensing. By default, the Activation Server issues the license based on the limits set in the MasterID/MasterLicense. If you allow reactivation, the Activation Server will issue a replacement license with the full Max-Day that could extend the original license. By enabling this new feature, the Activation Server can save the date the user account is licensed for the first time. For reactivation, the Activation Server automatically calculates and issues a replacement license with the remaining Max-Day to the original fixed expiration date.
[+] Updater added feature 'online installer'
You can now build the Updater as an Online Installer that can automatically download the software, and then execute the embedded script files to perform the installation. The Online Installer can also perform automatic update to check for the new software version.
[+] Added code examples for implementing PC License/USB License
The code examples demonstrate how to use the KeyCheck API to implement PC License/USB License to protect and license applications.
[+] Updater added download resume capability
The Updater now features download resume capability that can resume unfinished download due to any reason such as lost connections, slow servers, computer shutdowns, etc. The resume capability can restart the download in the middle, without having to restart all over again.
[+] Added feature of embedding System Image for the Instant KeyCheck API
This new feature gives you the option to embed the System Image to your executable, instead of creating and deploying it as a SIF file.
[+] Improved reliability of the Key system
The Key system is improved to solve the problem (although rare in occurrence) related to Key loss for an unknown reason.
[!] Fixed bug of returning KeyData by the KeyCheck API
The fix solved the problem that KeyCheck .NET Component, KeyCheck .NET CF Component, and KeyCheck .NET C# class library do not return the last data of the KeyData property.
[!] Fixed bug of FTP download in the UpdateShield system
The fix solved the problem related to FTP password that causes a failure to FTP download.
[!] Fixed bug of .NET Encryption shell protection
The fix solved the issue that, in some machines, the protected application using the .NET Encryption shell protection may not start.
[+] Added feature 'module upgrade installation' for USB License Key
This new feature gives you the option to allow USB License Key installation to add licensed Module IDs to the previously installed Harddisk Key.
[!] Fixed bug related to USB License Key installation
The fix solved the problem that, after the Key is removed from a computer back to the USB License Key, it could not be installed to another computer.
[+] Improved shell protection for .NET Framework 4.0
The .NET Encryption shell protection is improved to be more compatible with applications targeting .NET Framework 4.0.
[+] More customization of the license registration/activation dialog box
ElecKey Integrator added the option to allow more customization of the license registration/activation dialog box. You can set the dialog box to include license registration only, online activation followed by manual activation, manual activation followed by online activation, or online activation only.
[+] Activation Manager added the ability to email the Activation Key
The 'Send Email' button is added for the activation accounts that allow you to click to send email containing the Activation Key to the user.
[+] Added PayPal KeyGen interface for Activation Server
The PayPal KeyGen is an interface that is compatible with the PayPal IPN (Instant Payment Notification) protocol and messages. It enables you to integrate the Activation Server with the PayPal payment gateway service, and allows you to automate the whole process of selling and licensing software, including accepting PayPal payments, generating Activation Key, and sending order confirmation email.
[+] Added USB License code examples for MS-Access, MS-Excel and MS-Word Macro
The code examples demonstrate how to use the KeyCheck API to implement USB License dongle to protect and license MS-Access, MS-Excel and MS-Word Macro applications.
[+] Improved shell protection to support Free Pascal compiler
The shell protection wrapper is improved to support DOS applications compiled by Free Pascal compiler.
[!] Fixed bug causing error message "Access Violation"
The fix solved the problem that, in some machines, the agent Ekag20nt.exe gives the error message "Access Violation".
[+] Added NetKey Manager for NetKey License Server
The new NetKey Manager is a program that can access the NKLS service process remotely through the network. It enables you to monitor and control the NKLS from any workstation. The NetKey Manager program is provided with full source code in C# for customization.
[+] Added NetKeyManager .NET Component
The NetKeyManager .NET Component is a powerful and easy-to-use component for developing an application to monitor and control the NKLS service process.
[+] Added NKLS support for NAT connections
While the NKLS provides client authorization based on IP address, it can now detect NAT connections. You can specify whether or not to allow the specified client IP addresses behind a NAT to connect to the NKLS. You can also specify and restrict the NAT IP address.
[+] Added Updater support for limited user account
The new Updshl Service (Updshsvc.exe) is a Windows Service program that is designed to overcome the problem of the limited user account that does not have installation privileges. As a Windows Service, the Updshl Service is started before the user logs into Windows and has the system account with more privileges. When the Updater (Updshl10.exe) runs under the limited user account, it interfaces with the Updshl Service that helps to install program and complete the automatic update task.
[!] Fixed bug in the Updater
The fix solved the problem that the Updater is sometimes halted when the protected application is closed.
[!] Fixed minor bug in ElecKey Integrator command line interface
The fix solved the problem that you cannot run the ElecKey Integrator console from outside of its directory.
[+] Added KeyCheck ActiveX Automation Server
The new KeyCheck ActiveX Automation Server allows you to integrate the protection and licensing system to web browser-based applications. The ActiveX Automation Server supports both Local Key and Network Key.
[+] Added code examples for the KeyCheck ActiveX
The code examples demonstrate how to use JavaScript and VB6 to interface the KeyCheck ActiveX in web browser-based applications.
[+] Added USB dongle-based protection and licensing solution
ElecKey 2.0 Release 7 now supports both PC License and USB License. PC License is software-based protection that the Key is implemented on the hard disk drive. USB License is dongle-based protection that the Key is implemented on a USB drive. Using USB License, the user must attach the USB dongle to the computer to run the protected application.
[+] Added new licensing tool: USB LicenseKey Manager
USB LicenseKey Manager is the tool for licensing the application protected as USB License. You can easily make and turn a USB drive into a USB License Key (dongle) to license your application.
[+] Launched ElecKey EX version
ElecKey EX is the new version that offers both software-based and USB dongle-based protection and licensing solutions.
[+] Improved reliability of accessing the Key system
The mechanism to access the Key system is improved that can help to solve the license issue on some machines, with the error messages such as "Key not found (HD)!" and "Error writing Key (HD)!".
[+] Improved NetKey agent to make a connection to NetKey License Server (NKLS)
The NetKey agent (Nkag20.exe) no longer uses the ICMP protocol to ping the NKLS server before making a connection. Due to the fact that the server may have the ping service turned off or the ping packets may not get through the network, this could give a fault detection that the NKLS server is down.
[+] Improved speed to load the ElecKey agent
A new technique is implemented (in Ekc3220.dll, Ekc6420.dll, Ekag20nt.exe, Ekag20.exe) that can improve the speed to load the ElecKey agent faster than the previous versions.
[+] Improved performance for COM, ActiveX, WCF service, and web-based applications
The improved speed to load the ElecKey agent results in better overall performance for protecting COM, ActiveX, WCF service, and web-based applications.
[+] Added examples for COM DLL to interface with the KeyCheck API
[!] Fixed bug causing the error "Cannot load module EKAG20NT.exe (0xc1)"
The fix solved the problem that, in some system, the OpenKeySrv function returned the error "Cannot load module EKAG20NT.exe (0xc1)".
[+] Added examples for VC++ Smart Device in native code for protecting mobile applications
[+] Updated class library for Delphi
'EKC3220' is changed to 'EKC3220.DLL' in the class library for Delphi, including KeyCheck.pas, InstantKeyCheck.pas and UpdateCheck.pas, in response to an error report found in the Windows 2000 system.
[+] Updated class library for VC++ to be compatible with Visual Studio 2008
The data type bool is changed to BOOL in the class library for VC++, including KeyCheck.cpp,h and ActivationService.cpp,h, to be compatible with Visual Studio 2008 that the data type bool and BOOL have a different size.
[!] Fixed minor bug in ElecKey Integrator
The updated ElecKey Integrator (EkInt.exe) fixes a minor bug in which the locking method setting did not return to the default option when starting over the Integrator with a different Integration Task.
[!] Fixed problem of unstable permanent Registration ID
The updated Ekag20nt.exe fixes a problem of the permanent Registration ID (with the Ethernet adapter signature enabled) that, in some system, could be unstable and varied.
[+] Launched 2 new editions: ElecKey Mobile and ElecKey Ultimate
ElecKey Mobile offers the comprehensive protection solution for Windows Mobile applications. ElecKey Ultimate offers the ultimate solution for Windows desktop & Windows Mobile applications.
[+] Added mobile application licensing solution
A complete licensing solution for Windows Mobile applications in provided in ElecKey Mobile and ElecKey Ultimate, which includes activating license online (via the Internet) and offline (via phone, email, etc.), transferring license between mobile devices, and activating/managing license from a desktop or laptop computer.
[+] Added KeyCheck .NET CF Component
The Compact Framework version of the KeyCheck .NET Component enables you to integrate the software protection and licensing capability into your Windows Mobile applications. It is fully integrated with Microsoft's Visual Studio .NET IDE at both design-time and run-time.
[+] Added feature Automatic License Update
This feature allows you to enable the protected application to automatically connect to the Activation Server to update and validate license in background process. It enables you to have control over the application even if it has been activated.
[+] Improved reliability of detecting Ethernet adapter signature
A new method is added that helps to identify and acquire the valid signature of Ethernet adapters.
[+] Improved HTML Dialog Box to switch to the default dialog box when not supported
The HTML Dialog Box feature is supported where the machine has Internet Explorer (IE) version 6 or above installed. The system can now detect the version of shdocvw.dll, a DLL of IE. If the version is below 6.0, the system automatically switches to use the default dialog box.
[+] Improved NetKey agent to connect to NetKey License Server (NKLS)
The NetKey agent (Nkag20.exe) uses the ICMP protocol to ping the NKLS server to ensure the connectivity before making a connection. This helps to reduce the timeout when the NKLS server is down or no longer connected to the network.
[+] Improved NetKey License Server (NKLS) to run on Terminal Services
The NetKey License Server (NKLS) now supports for running on Terminal Services. Note that only one process of NKLS is allowed at a time, either the console or the Terminal Services session.
[+] Improved InstantProtection function to support end-user utility
The InstantProtection function of the KeyCheck API now supports the end-user utility to register, transfer, and destroy license.
[!] Fixed bug causing error message "Invalid Key (Disk)"
The fix solved the problem that, in some machines, the system does not return an expected value when detecting the Key and causes the error message "Invalid Key (Disk)".
[+] Reorganization of the ClassLibrary and Examples folders of ElecKey
The ClassLibrary folder is renamed to 'Library'. In the Examples folder, the example programs and example codes are reorganized for easier access.
[+] License destroy utility added online confirmation to Activation Server
The Destroy utility added the option to allow the user to destroy the license and confirm it instantly online. The destroy code will automatically be sent to the Activation Server for verification and confirmation.
[+] KeyCheck API added library and examples for ANSI C
[+] Shell protection added loading external activation program
Instead of using the registration/activation dialog box provided by the shell protection, you can now enable the option to load an external activation program. Simply set the system configuration file (KCAPI.INI) as follows:
[Registration]
Application=activation.exe
When running the protected application for the first time with no Key installed, it will load the activation program as specified in the KCAPI.INI file.
[+] Improved options to issue evaluation License Keys
In LicenseKey Manager, the checkbox 'Evaluate' and 'Re-evaluate' are provided. With 'Evaluate' enabled, the issued evaluation License Key allows the user to evaluate the protected application once. The user cannot extend the evaluation period by using another evaluation License Key. If you want to allow the user to extend the evaluation period, enable 'Re-evaluate'.
[+] Improved leasing license to support automatic activation
[+] KeyCheck API added more examples for VC++6 and VB6
[+] Improved Updater and AutoUpdate .NET component to support Local Update Server
The improvement enables the Updater (UPDSHL10.EXE) and the AutoUpdate .NET component (Upd.Comp.DLL) to connect and download updates from the Local Update Server.
[!] Fixed bug of auto-activation by shell protection
The fix solved the problem that, in some machines, the application protected by shell protection cannot perform automatic online activation.
[+] Improved VM detection
The ElecKey system is improved to detect VM and to solve the problem that the protected application might give the error message "Access violation".
[!] Fixed bug of unable to restart the system while the Updater is in process
[+] ElecKey added automatic license validation
The utilities in the ElecKey suite added auto-validation to validate the license when performing software update.
[+] Updated KeyCheck Class Library to support Delphi 2009
The KeyCheck Class Library for Delphi is updated to support Unicode string used in Delphi 2009.
[+] Improved Ekag20nt.exe for faster startup of the protected application
[!] Fixed problem of loading HDLG20.DLL from VB6 IDE
The fix solved the problem that HDLG20.DLL was not found when running the application from VB6 IDE.
[!] Fixed bug in which ElecKey Integrator did not generate HDLG.HTML when creating a SIF file
[+] Activation Web Service added the ReactivateLicense method
The added ReactivateLicense method allows the protected application to reactivate the license when the activation account is already activated.
[+] Improved reliability of detecting computer hardware signatures
A new method has been added which gives the protected application alternatives to acquire and detect computer hardware signatures.
[+] Improved reliability against anti-virus software
The shell protection is improved to solve the issue that some anti-virus software might mistakenly report the protected application as a Trojan.
[+] Improved Shell Protection to wrap and protect DLLs
[!] Solved problem of Ekag20nt.exe that might detect a native OS as VM
[!] Fixed bug in which the KeyActivation .NET component did not call the OnError event
[+] Added the new KeyCheck .NET Component
The KeyCheck .NET Component is a suite of powerful and easy-to-use components for integrating the software protection and licensing systems into your .NET applications.
[+] Added the new UpdateCheck .NET Component
The UpdateCheck .NET Component is a suite of powerful and easy-to-use components for integrating the automatic software update system into your .NET applications.
[+] Added KeyCheck API Demo Center
KeyCheck API Demo Center is a simple program to guide you to the sample code and project in many different languages. So, you can easily learn by examples, or copy and reuse the provided code.
[+] Added ElecKey Quick Reference
The ElecKey Quick Reference provides the basic steps to protect software applications and deliver them to the user.
[+] NetKey License Server added support for fault tolerance
The fault tolerance support allows you to have up to 4 servers of NetKey License Server. If one of the NKLSs is down, the protected application can automatically redirect (in background and without interruption) to get or validate the license from the other running NKLS.
[+] NetKey License Server added Setup.msi
NetKey License Server is now provided in both versions: Setup.exe and Setup.msi.
[+] UpdateShield added support for automatic update via FTP
With this added support, you can now choose whether the protected application to download the update via HTTP or FTP from the server.
[+] Added new feature called 'Automatic License Validation'
This new feature allows you to enable the protected application to automatically connect to the Activation Server to validate the license. It is very useful to deal with credit card fraud payment. You can blacklist the user's accounts on the Activation Server. When those users run the application, it will fail to validate the license and, as a result, the software license will be destroyed immediately.