Keygen
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A keygen (truncation of "key generator", also known as "keymaker") is a small program that will generate a key or serial/registration number for a piece of software or cryptographic algorithms.
Keygens are made available by cracking groups; for free download on various websites dedicated to software piracy.
Keys generated with a key generator may not work with software or games that are used online for either multiplayer gaming, or for getting software updates. This is because in the online version, software developers sometimes set a limit to only accept keys that they know were printed on the discs during manufacturing (or issued during online registration), and deny keys that weren't (the other keys generated with a keygen). This is because the algorithm to produce the keys allows a massive number of keys to be generated and accepted in the offline version, but the online version has a more limited number of keys accepted. But there is some chance that a keygen will produce a valid key.