FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do you always have to be connected to the internet for ByteShield™ to work?

No.  The only time internet is needed is for the initial activation.  

The publisher can set the server to require only one connection, or multiple connections, depending on the level of security desired.  

Remote users, such as field technicians, can work with no problem.  For high-security requirements, ByteShield™ can even be loaded onto a memory stick.

We don't want our customers to go through an invasive or lengthy registration process. How does ByteShield™ activation work?

We've made activation to be as fast as possible.  The activation process is intended to be as invisible to the user as possible.

No personal data of any sort is needed - just a user name and an access code (supplied by the manufacturer).  There is no "survey" of information, no lengthy questions to answer.  This is not a "product registration" process - it is simply a server synchronization.

What happens to remote or field users when they can't connect to the internet?

Remote users can work indefinitely without internet connectivity, depending on how the system has been configured by the publisher.  

If only a single activation is required by the publisher, then remote users only need to connect for the first launch of the application.

If higher protection is desired, remote users can be configured for a certain number of offline runs before another internet connection is needed.

Can ByteShield™ handle a limited time trial of a product?

Yes, this is a simple configuration parameter to set.  Not only can you control for a time period (like 30 days), you can specify a specific start time and date, as well as and end time and date, or a combination of these parameters.  This is especially useful for pre-release products that need to be tightly controlled prior to commercial release.

Our users work with floating licenses.  How does ByteShield™ handle that?

The ByteShield™ Verification Server keeps track of both named users and total users.  Floating licenses are no problem - simply configure for the total number of licensed users.  This can even be done for licenses across multiple offices in multiple locations.

We like our users to be able to install our application on at least two different machines. How does ByteShield™ handle that?

Many publishers will allow their customers to install an application on more than one machine.  This is typical, and is often seen where a user has an office machine, a home machine, and maybe a laptop as well.

Since the ByteShield™ system actually controls number of users, not number of installations, end users are not constrained from installing on multiple machines.  The publisher can choose how many of those installations can be activated, thereby effectively limiting the number of machines.  That means an end user is able to install the application wherever needed.  Each instance must be activated, and when that occurs, the system will validate how many active instances are allowed.  Activation permissions can be given to new machines as needed.

Can an end user trick the use of a trial copy by setting back their system clock or changing the Registry key that contains the time stamp?

No, because all parameters are stored on the ByteShield™ Verification Server.  There are no license files or date files to hack.  Setting back the clock or changing registry settings for time stamps - none of these tactics will work.  Trial periods and term licenses are safe from tampering.

Can't an end user just make a copy of the application once it is activated and running on the local computer?

No, even after the PC application or PC game is "completed" by the ByteShield™ activation, there are additional protective measures that prevent copying or cloning.

If the end user computer fails, how does the end user recover the application?

It is simple to recover from a failure - just re-install from the physical media or do another download.  The ByteShield™ Verification Server maintains all the user information.

If the end user computer fails, is the end user's data encrypted and unrecoverable?

No - ByteShield™ does not affect application data in any way.  No data will be in an encrypted form or wrapped in any way.

What happens if the publisher or ByteShield™ goes out of business?

The ByteShield™ server could be set-up to push out a patch to either remove ByteShield™ only or replace it with some other protection.

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CONTACT INFORMATION

ByteShield, Inc.
3240 Lyon Street
San Francisco
CA 94123-1857

U.S.A.
+1-415-420-6636
+1-415-931-1185 Fax
info@byteshield.net www.byteshield.net