A circuit breaker is a mechanism used to stop or machinery or disable a device or program. The purpose of a circuit breaker is generally either prevent theft of a machine or data or as a way to turn off the machines in an emergency. In the manufacturing sector, for example, a circuit breaker (also known as a big red button) could be used to turn off machines if a worker is in danger. In Mobile Computing, a circuit breaker and can disable a device that has been reported lost or stolen. By activating a circuit breaker, the network administrator can protect data on the device to be stolen or altered. In a car or a boat, a circuit breaker may prevent the vehicle from starting unless a security mechanism involved is activated.
Software includes encoded sometimes kill switches as mechanisms to combat piracy. Microsoft Windows Vista operating system and related products include a component that some industry experts are calling a virtual kill switch. After installing the software, the user has 30 days to successfully register the product. If the user fails to enter a valid registration key before the deadline passes, the software will run in what Microsoft calls "reduced functionality mode:"
Software includes encoded sometimes kill switches as mechanisms to combat piracy. Microsoft Windows Vista operating system and related products include a component that some industry experts are calling a virtual kill switch. After installing the software, the user has 30 days to successfully register the product. If the user fails to enter a valid registration key before the deadline passes, the software will run in what Microsoft calls "reduced functionality mode:"
- The background goes black.
- There is no start menu.
- There are no desktop icons.
- Users are automatically logged out of Web browsers after one hour.
Kill switches are also used for a wide variety of machinery both inside and outside the IT world, including car ignition systems, boat motors, industrial machines and gas pumps. A kill switch for vehicles and machinery is sometimes called a "dead man's switch" because its purpose is to shut the vehicle or machine down if the operator becomes incapacitated.
