[@Gert] Hi Gert, StrongRecovery activates its license by connecting once to our server over a secure (HTTPS) connection on first launch — that’s the only reason it needs network access. Some firewalls block that outbound connection by default, which is why an exception can be needed. After the one-time activation, the program works fully offline and doesn’t need any network access at all. It’s a standard license activation, nothing more.