SecuROM

SecuROM

Developers
	Sony DADC

One of the most common and longest enduring forms of DRM, SecuROM uses a variety of methods to verify the integrity of a game, as well as prevent disc copying of the protected material. The original disc-based DRM solution is simply called "SecuROM", or sometimes SecuROM Disc Authentication, while the online activation-based version meant for digital distribution is called SecuROM Product Activation. At the launch of a game and during play SecuROM (both versions) would also monitor the system, preventing the game from running if it detects applications or tools that can be used to enable piracy, disassembly, or hacking of the game.

Key points

Still works on newer versions of Windows, despite erroneous reports of the contrary.

Some Intel processors may cause a Code 8016 failure if their microcode is not updated.

General information

Official general information/FAQ

Official support

Official support pages for popular titles

Disc Authentication

The disc-based version of SecuROM works by using strong software encryption along with a special signature applied to the physical disc during manufacturing. The game will only launch if the original disc that carries the special signature of the game is detected, otherwise an error message will be shown instead.

The disc-based version does not rely on an internet connection to function.

Official FAQ for Disc Check / authentication

May stop games from properly installing from the disc. To get around this, transfer the files to the PC, and install it using the files on the PC.

Still works on Windows 10 despite Microsoft saying that it doesn't

Product Activation

For a list of games, see games using SecuROM Product Activation DRM.
This is the online activation-based version of SecuROM meant for games released through digital distribution and used on some of the later disc-based games. It functions much the same way as the previous disc-based alternative, although it replaces the dependency of a physical disk with an authentication license retrieved using a one-time internet connection and stored on the local hard drive. SecuROM Product Activation is integrated into the executable of the game, and after the game have been uninstalled only the authentication license remain on the system. Some older versions also used a background service to allow the sharing of these licenses between multiple user accounts in Windows. Use the SecuROM Removal Tool to remove the remaining licenses after all SecuROM Product Activation protected titles have been uninstalled from the system.

Requires an one-time Internet connection to retrieve an authentication license for the protected product. This version of SecuROM is the predecessor to Denuvo Anti-Tamper.

Manual activation website

Official FAQ for Product Activation

Still works on newer versions of Windows, despite erroneous reports of the contrary.

Can be used to enforce an activation limit.

Release Control

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Data File Activation (DFA)

A component used among other things as a form of release date control check to prevent pre-release access to games. Often used in addition to Disc Authentication or Product Activation.

Manual activation website

Some games might not include a manual activation option, but requires a manual tool downloaded from the SecuROM support page, or might need to be retrieved from an archive of the support page (such as with Borderlands).

The automatic release date check service that relies on e.g. https://dfa01.sonyvfactory.com/ seems to be not be working any longer, regardless of operating system, and requires manual activation instead. For games with no serial number, leave that field empty (such as with Borderlands non-GOTY retail discs).

List of games using SecuROM

This list was last refreshed on April 18, 2024. Purge the page to refresh it.

This list is auto-populated. To add a game, update the game-specific article with {{DRM|SecuROM}} or {{DRM|SecuROM Product Activation}} where appropriate, e.g. in the Notes field of the availability row for the Steam release.

SecuROM is only available on Windows, so native ports of other operating systems does not make use of it.

Total number of games: {{#ask: Uses DRM::~SecuROM* |format=count }}

{{#ask: Uses DRM::~SecuROM*

|?Part of series=Series
|?Developed by|+limit=1
|?Published by|+limit=1
|?Release date|+limit=1
|?Available on|+order=desc
|format=template
|limit=500
|template=DRM table/t
|introtemplate=DRM table/ti
|outrotemplate=DRM table/to

}}

List of games formerly using SecuROM

This list was last refreshed on April 18, 2024. Purge the page to refresh it.

This list is auto-populated. To add a game, update the game-specific article and replace {{DRM|SecuROM}} with {{Removed DRM|SecuROM}} where appropriate. Do not use on availability rows where SecuROM has never been present (e.g. on GOG.com releases).

Total number of games: {{#ask: Removed DRM::~SecuROM* |format=count }}

{{#ask: Removed DRM::~SecuROM*

|?Part of series=Series
|?Developed by|+limit=1
|?Published by|+limit=1
|?Release date|+limit=1
|?Available on|+order=desc
|format=template
|limit=500
|template=DRM table/t
|introtemplate=DRM table/ti
|outrotemplate=DRM table/to

}}