mGuard Secure VPN Client activation
The mGuard Secure VPN Client is activated via the Internet. The software is licensed only after it has been successfully activated. This is required in case of new installation or significant hardware changes of the end device used.
The license terms permit software use on a single end device. The software is permanently assigned to this end device and provided with copy protection (software activation). In exceptional cases (hardware defect, multiple hardware changes), the license can be deactivated or reactivated upon request under certain conditions.
License activation takes place offline. In case of a software update, you will receive a new license key.
In the mGuard Secure Client Monitor “Help” menu, the installed software version and, if applicable, the licensed software version with serial number are displayed under the “License info and activation” menu item.
The client software is always installed as a test version at first. An exception exists if client software has already been installed, or if software activation has not yet taken place with an older version already installed. This also applies in case the older version has already been licensed. If so, this version will be reset to the status of a trial version. The license data must then be entered again within 30 days via the activation dialog.
The remaining time until the software activation, i.e., the validity period of the trial version, is displayed in the hint bar of the monitor next to the activation button.
In order to use a full version that is valid for an unlimited period of time, the software must be unlocked with the received license key and serial number in the activation dialog. By activating, you accept the license terms, which you can view after clicking the relevant button.
The activation dialog can be opened via the activation button in the hint bar of the monitor as well as via the monitor menu “Help/License info and activation”. In the following, the license data can be entered either online or offline via a Wizard.
In the offline variant, a file generated after entering the license key and serial number must be sent to the activation server and the activation key then displayed on the website must be noted. This activation key can be entered at a later time in the licensing window of the monitor menu.
In the online version, the licensing data is passed on to the activation server via a Wizard immediately after entry and the software is activated without delay.
Validity period of the trial version
The trial version is valid for 30 days. Without software activation or licensing, it is no longer possible to establish a connection after this period.
From the time of installation, the validity period is displayed in the pop-up window every time the software is started. In addition, a footer on the monitor shows how long the trial version can still be used. A message box ten days prior to expiration explicitly alerts you that the software is not yet licensed. This message box then appears once per day.
After the test phase has expired, the VPN client software can only be used to establish connections to target systems that are used for software activation/licensing. Thus, one of the client’s profiles can be used to establish an Internet connection for the purpose of licensing.
Online activation
At the latest when the trial period has expired, the software must be activated or uninstalled. To activate, select the menu item “License info and activation” in the monitor menu “Help”.
Here you can read which software version it is and see that the trial version has expired and the software is not yet activated or licensed.
Clicking the license terms displays the relevant contract text. By activating or licensing the software, you accept the license terms.
To activate the software, click the “Activation” button. In the following window you can choose between an online and an offline variant.
In the offline variant, a file generated after entering the license key and serial number must be sent to the activation server. An activation key will then be displayed on the website. In the online version, the licensing data is passed on to the activation server via a Wizard immediately after entry and the software is activated without delay.
After selecting the activation type, enter the license data in the fields provided. Then click “Next”.
Offline activation
The offline variant is performed in two steps. The first step is to send the file to the activation server that is generated after entering the license key and serial number. An activation key is then displayed on the website and must be written down. In the second step, the activation key is entered in the licensing window of the monitor menu. This can also be done at a later time.
The offline variant is started via the monitor menu "Help/License info and activation" and selected in the first window of the activation wizard. Click “Next”. The second window of the Activation Wizard explains the two steps of offline activation.
The first step, the creation of the activation file, is automatically selected. Click the “Next” button and enter the license data in the following window. Click “Next”.
Now enter the name and path for the activation file (e.g., on the desktop). By default, the installation directory of the software and the name ActiData.txt (with serial number) are used.
Now the activation file is created and must be transferred to the activation server.
Data transfer from the activation file to the activation server can be done in two ways. In the first option, open the activation file in the editor. Copy and paste the contents of the file into the “Activation File Contents” window that opens on the website. Alternatively, click the “Browse” button and select the activation file. Then click “Submit”.
The activation code will then be generated and displayed on the website. Make a note of the activation code and continue the activation under the menu item “Help/License info and activation” by performing the second step of the activation in the offline variant.
If the activation server detects that you are entitled to a newer software license and the license key matches the installed software, the activation will automatically display the new license key. If you want to activate the new features, make a note of the new license key, complete the activation, and then use the new license key.
The second step of the offline variant is triggered via the monitor menu “Help/License info and activation”. After selecting the offline variant, select the second step.
A window of the Activation Wizard will open for you to enter the activation code. After you have entered it, you can click “Next”.
If you have received a new license key from the activation server during offline activation (see above at Display of the activation code), also enter this license key for a license update.
Click “Next”. The license data are checked and applied.
After activation is completed, the license data window will show that the software used is a correctly activated full version.