Folks,

 

Sorry for my delayed response, been in the office most of the day, just getting back home.

 

Well, I have never seen before a flightsim addon requiring my cradit card details INCL SECRET NUMBER (!!!) within the installation.

To make it clear again: The purchase at the online shop (full of erroneus spelling) already checked my credit card details before downloading.

 

I don't want to store my credit card details anywhere on my computer! Never ever!

 

While running the Majestic Dash8 Q300 for the first time, the Windows Firewall comes up and wants me to accept anything I don't understand. But in fact, it just comes up after this strange Dash installation..

 

What does this Majestic Dash do here on my computer? Do they send my data to the russian mafia?

I don't have a clue, what's going on here and none of my other addons has ever done this before in 20 years. I absolutely can't trust on this behavior.

 

This is nothing, a helpdesk or support might fix, this is simply something I don't accept for the money I've paid!

 

Ralf

Ralf, it appears that you have used the online purchase option from the Majestic website and that is a part of the installer which is needed to validate your purchase. Majestic Software is not the only company that performs verifications in this manner. This is actually a safer way of doing online business as it "in most cases" guarantees us that the sale is authentic (being made by the owner of the credit card). The credit card data is not stored in your PC. The installer gathers the credentials of your hard drive which generates a partial key, of which you are to email back to Majestic Software. In return you will receive the key required to complete the installation. This key you should keep handy in the event a re-installation of the Dash Q300 is needed, however, if you install the Dash on a different hard drive a new key will be required as a new partial key will be generated.

 

Regarding whether Majestic disseminates you information to other parties - the answer is "no". Majestic does however have a record of the purchase transaction, and what ever pertinent data is required just as any other vendor would for record keeping.

 

Now the Windows Firewall blocked message, I would suggest that you email us at [email protected] with some more specifics regarding you PC configuration. Personally, I have the Windows Firewall disabled. I would also recommend that you un-install and re-install the Dash and be sure to re-install it as an "administrator". The re-installation should be straight forward as you should be able to do so using the partial key option (which you should have already acquired).

 

 

Sim, but surely a commercial user might want to link P3D and your professional version in a full simulation for pilot training. Would you tell LM no way, or sensibly grab the commercial opportunity and exposure.

Ian, glad to hear you were able to get the Dash working minus the graphical display glitch. We have not done any testing or development on the P3d platform, but the Boss may consider this for the Training Edition of the Q400. After the release of the Dash this may be looked at in more detail, especially since the EULA is very specific regarding its application.

Sorry to see the dash Q 400 will not be written to work in p3d from the start ,I have been looking forward to a purchasing this Dash for p3d when it arrives so have to take this one off my must have list ,what a shame

peter

Given the amount of credit card fraud that is happening and the fact the many vendor's "totally secure" sites have been hacked, the less often a credit card number is entered into a pc for any reason the better. I would really like to see Majestic find some other less risky way of validation. While it may be "safe" and "work well" for them it's not their credit card number that is exposed to fraud...

 

How do users of alternate payment methods handle this, or do they not accept paypal or other none credit card forms of payment?

@crosswind: After this all happening, I just completed a full re-install of my PC from scratch, incl. deleted partitions on my SSD. I also called the Emergency Number at my bank yesterday, to lock my credit card to prevent a fraudulent use and attached you find a photo of my credit card, cut to pieces.

 

I ABSOLUTELY can't accept to have my Credit Card data stored on my PC in any way. You might promise me everything: I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!

Even if you only use it for creating any kind of key or whatever: The data has been entered into my computer somehow and I don't have control anymore about what is happening with it.

 

It is absolutely NOT the way ANY other company handles it's validation process AFTER purchase (like you mentioned...).

This is something absolutely inacceptable and I don't accept any try to excuse this behaviour!

 

Everyone might decide on his own, if he supports "your way" and would purchase anything from your "exceptional" company.

 

Ralf

I must admit, I had a similar notice (the Windows warning) when installing and running the Q300 on my old machine using FSX. I don't remember the exact message now, but Windows was advising me this program could be a virus or malware. I usually skipped by it and continued, but the message was disconcerting enough that I eventually removed the Dash 8 and did not install it on my new system.

 

 

As badly as I want the Q400, and as good as I know it will be (I've used Fanda's Dash 8 since FS2002 and it is spectacularly good), I'm not willing to risk my cc number in a validation check. If this proves to be the only way to run the Q400, I'm afraid I'll have to pass on it; something that I would really hate to do. I hope and trust there is a better way of validating an install. It has been noted that Majestic isn't the only one who uses this method, but in all my purchases since FS 5, I personally have not run across this before, and won't go that route this time.

 

[EDIT] - I just thought of this after writing the above - the site where the actual purchase transaction takes place may be secure and well encrypted, but typically an activation process isn't because no secure data (other than an activation code perhaps) is being transmitted. As such, transmitting a cc number via this process conceivably could be read by anyone "looking in". Even if we are told it is a secure transfer, how can we verify that? I always look for the little lock symbol on my browser before I complete any personal data online. That usually isn't present when activating something like an FS add-on because while data is going across the internet, you usually don't do it through your browser. I'd be really worried about that.

@Ralf.....as I said before Direct all questions and concerns to [email protected].

 

The Boss will address any issues that you may have regarding this. Furthermore I never promised you anything and I don't need you to believe me, as I do not handle the financial processing at Majestic. However, just to clarify, the installer is merely a verification tool for the purchase that was made, as it cross checks the data from your online purchase. I fully understand your concerns regarding fraud, therefore do what you find necessary to prevent this.

 

It is unfortunate that this has happened as I have not encountered this problem with any of the faithful Q300 customers. Oley should be able to assist better when if you use the proper channel to contact him.

 

Respectfully

 

 

Simeon

Thanks for responding to this Simeon. I agree that Oley is the one that needs to deal with this. But rather than him getting a flood of emails where he has to reply to each one individually, perhaps you could make him aware of this thread and post (or have a representative post) a reply regarding this issue?

 

I whole-heartedly agree with piracy prevention. It's more than a little necessary these days. But this method is very risky for all (including Oley as if data is stolen from his server, he too could be considered a suspect until they catch the real culprit) and he's liable to find that sales will be minimal and angry emails from people who bought it without realizing what the activation process is, prolific. That would be a shame as I have every confidence this airplane will nothing short of spectacular, based on previous experience with his product.

 

Hopefully he can come up with a more equitable solution to this as I would really hate to pass this airplane by.

 

Thanks Simeon.

No problem Glenn, I have already sent a message to Oley. He may be out of town, but will either respond directly to this post or to Ralf.

I hope he responds to this post and not to one individual as more than a few of us have this concern and it may impact our purchase decision.

 

I would also like to repeat my other question in hopes of an answer: How do users of alternate payment methods handle this, or does Majestic ( or its distributors) not accept paypal or other none credit card forms of payment?

@Tom

 

Not sure of the final decision at this time. But the Q300 line could also be purchased at Simmarket. More details/statements regarding this will be made available on the Majestic Facebook page, closer to the release of the Q400. If you have questions I suggest that you place them there for a answer. We don't have an obligation to the P3D forum as this is a platform that is not being addressed at this time.

Just a quick update to all that are wondering about this issue, after speaking to Oley.

 

1. The credit card data is not stored on the server OR the customer computer. It is discarded by the installer right after it is entered, and it is no different than when one enters their data in their browser for the purchase, the installer is merely an authentication tool for verification of the code that was purchased.

 

2. Firewall blocked message is not critical, as the Dash-8 does not use any network connections during the installation, and the data entered for the authentication is not sent or stored anywhere.

 

The purchase method of the Dash Q400 will under-go some modifications as we get closer to the release.

Simeon: for what its is worth, someone shortly after release will work out how to install on P3D. This will be transmitted around the web, even if banned on the standard flightsim forums. Those who do, know that there will be no support from MJS, but will take the risk on the better running updated platform. Given the common ESP, someone seems always to figure it out, so I am suggesting you might want to get ahead of the game with a native installer.

@Simeon, thank you for this. That addresses my concerns fully and I'm now comfortable with the process. Appreciate the help on this and I'll now stand by for the release for FSX.

 

Thanks again :smile:.

 

Glenn

 

EDIT - Just one question though - how does the cc number get into the installer package in the first place? Is it placed there when you purchase the product? If so, then your cc number is embedded in the download coming back to you within the aircraft itself. Could that not find its way onto a torrent site? I guess I feel better as noted above, but I'm still not totally sold and still have some concerns here. Could you address those thoughts (like maybe I have the wrong idea of how this all happens)?

 

Thanks.

@Glenn

The installer should not populate the CC# information, it requires you to enter it for the verification process, then discards it once the installation is complete.

 

@Ian

The thought of P3d is something that has been discussed, and will be considered for the Q400, but only for the TRAINING edition. It will not be done for the PILOT and or PRO Editions. If end users choose to jerry-rig it to work with P3D Kudos to them.

Simeon,

Yes, I understand it won't re-transmit the card number back across the internet. My suspicion is that if the installer is using the cc number for validation, it must be stored somewhere in the installer package. Otherwise how does it know you are putting in the right cc number? The only way that I know it could do that is that the cc number must be stored in the installer package you download from the internet when you purchase the aircraft. That means it is going out across the internet in a potentially insecure fashion, and if anyone intercepted it, then they'd not only have your airplane (I'm sure you would get it too), but your cc number as well. Without revealing any secrets, can you confirm or deny this?

 

Please understand Simeon, I'm not trying to be a pain or stir up trouble. Far, far from it. I just am extremely protective of my personal data because I know someone who did have a card ripped off (yes, it could happen anywhere, but that's why we try to minimize the risks as much as possible) and it was a nightmare for them for several months after the fact. The truth is, I have been looking forward to this airplane for years now, and being an Avionics Tech who works on Dash 8 components (not 400 series though), this machine holds a special interest for me. But as badly as I want it, I'm not willing to take chances with my cc. In addition, folks at the forum where I hang out usually are equally as interested, but to a person they have said they won't buy the aircraft if they have to re-enter their cc number to validate the airplane. So my purpose in pursuing this is in hopes to have a different way of doing this that is equally (if not more) secure, but in which we aren't placing our own personal information in a tenuous position.

 

Thanks Simeon, I sure appreciate you acting as a go-between here. It helps greatly.

 

Glenn