Software blacklisting is a process where programs scan for inappropriate software on a computer and execute specific instructions if found. Commonly blacklisted programs include those used by hackers and disk creation programs. Blacklisting can cause installation issues or reduced functionality, and false positives have been a problem. However, blacklisting does little to stop hackers and can harm legitimate users.
A software blacklist is a list of software that is deemed inappropriate by a specific program. Different companies’ programs have different blacklists, and many don’t have any at all. If there is a blacklisted program on the system, the disturbed program may malfunction or report information to a central server. Like most digital rights management (DRM) measures, software blacklisting has been targeted by several groups.
Software blacklisting is a relatively simple process. The programs will scan your computer registry of installed programs looking for different software. If one of the programs in the software blacklist is found, the program executes a specific set of instructions. It is normal for a scan to run during installation, but nothing prevents a program from periodically scanning afterwards.
There are a number of common programs that are on a core software blacklist. Programs used by hackers, such as disk duplicators, software debuggers, or patch creators, are common. Also among these lists are several disk creation programs that have the ability to mount disk images to virtual drives. It is the latter group that causes the most unintentional positives on a software blacklist, as this type of burning software is very common.
When a blacklisted program is found, the program could do any number of things. In many cases, the program won’t install at all without giving the user a reason. Some programs install correctly, but have reduced functionality, run in trial mode, or crash when performing certain functions. As constant Internet connections increase, many programs will report their results to a central server, which will give them specific restriction instructions based on the localized program.
As with many DRM methods, software blacklisting has seen a lot of controversy. In the early days of this technology, false positives were a big problem. Completely legitimate users often ended up locked out of the software with no explanation as to why. Other users would find that the programs that came pre-installed on their computers would leave registry marks even after being uninstalled. These registry indicators would prevent the installation of other programs due to a too restrictive blacklist.
On the other hand, a software blacklist does little to stop hackers. There are several methods to bypass a blacklist; installing software on a different operating system boot, patching blacklisted programs to alter their version numbers, or simply running a separate program that prevents the blacklist from scanning your computer. As a result, blacklisting software is common for harming legitimate users rather than stopping illegitimate ones.
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