Android Application Licensing Server Cracked

Reports have come out that hackers have figured out how to bypass the newly released application licensing server for the Android mobile operating system. the official Android Development blog released a statement today noting that “The licensing service, while very young, is a significant step forward in terms of protection over the plain copy-protection facility that used to be the norm.” Even the person revealing the exploit noted that in his opinion, it is the best copy-protection option.

The service provided a sample of the simplest form of authentication, which was incorporated into many developer’s programs without modification, against official advice, as the system provides for custom checks.

The number of apps that are using the system is small, and as adoption increases, the licensing server will remain a target. 100% protection is not possible with any system, but this system is an improvement in increasing the cost and difficulty of piracy. To quote them, “Piracy is a bad business to be in when the user has a choice between easily purchasing the app and visiting an untrustworthy, black-market site.”

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