Software blacklist

From Free net encyclopedia

Template:Not verified Software blacklisting is a tool used by manufacturers of software and music on CD and DVD.

Essentially the software on the disc will audit the user's computer for certain types of virtual CD and CD authoring software, or for debugging software used by warez groups to create patches (known as cracks) that bypass copy prevention schemes. If blacklisted software is found then certain actions are taken by the software on the game or music disc. Examples would be allowing the copying of the game to take place, but crashing the copied game when attempting to start it; allowing copies of games that will malfunction in subtle ways; simply disallowing the game to be run while this software exists etc.

This software blacklisting can be seen as a countermeasure to virtual CD/CD burning software used to bypass copy prevention schemes such as SecuROM, SafeDisc, Laserlock, and many others.

In order to copy the CD, the user may have to copy the disc on another computer (real or virtual), uninstall the blacklisted software or wait for an update of the blacklisted software, that will have a countermeasure to the game or music disc's own blacklisting countermeasure.

There are also some programs that can hide software from blacklists, such as Antiblaxx.

This process of measure, countermeasure and counter-countermeasure can be seen as part of a growing trend that pits consumer against manufacturer, with each trying to wrest control of software and its use from the other.

Examples of commonly-blacklisted software are Alcohol 120% and CloneCD.