Deployment on CD 1

[Gimly]

Hi everybody,

I have a programme I want to package and deploy (thus distribute) on a CD. What is the best way for me to secure and protect my CD. Well copy protecting a CD will work but it is not bullet proof.

Is there a way that I can protect my programme from running on a copied version (pirate)?

Another questions is: How does the serial numbers work? For eg. When u purchase a Microsoft product you have to enter the serial number, and then the programme works. How do you write code for serial numbers?

Sorry for all the questions, but I know that someone out there knows more than me.

Any help or info will be appreciated.

Regards
Gimly

 

[CasperTFG]

Copy protecting a CD, really doesn't exist. IF it did Piracy wouldn't exist.

The OEM and serial numbers that software vendors distribute will work on any CD. For instance, If you have 2 purchased copies of MS Office. You can install MS Office from disk #1, and use the serial number on Disk #2. All this really does is create a unique key, so that when you call Microsoft and say i have a problem, they get your serial nubmer from you. If it is a pirated copy and the person who gave it to you has already called tech support, they will see that you are stealing.

XP, has a new registration where you have to call or connect to Microsoft to enable the program. That is kind of neat.

But basically if someone wants to steal your program they will. There are a few things that you can do to really protect it.

Force the user to call or contact your company to enable it. Or if your program is web enabled. Meaning it works through the internet. You can do what Install Shield and some online game companies have done. Have a central server, in the central server you keep a list of all applications running and their unique ID's. Then if someone tries to run the program with an ID that is already in use, you deny it.

The only problem with that is, if your server is down, the program won't run. Craig, mailto:sander@cogeco.ca

Si hoc legere scis, nimis eruditionis habes

 

[Gimly]

Thank you for ur reply CraigSander,

It cleared up a lot of confusion for me.

Regards Gimly

 

[Shift838]

You can make various Serial Number functions to be able to determing if a serial # entered can be calculated from this function. I have done this and was able to use 256K encryption on my program. There is various source codes around to do this. But a CD Key/Serial # is probably the best way to go.

 

[Gimly]

Chris77504,

Thank you, but how do i write a serial number function, I have no experience in serial numbering or how to write a function for this.

Thanx for ur help in advance, it is much appreciated.

Regards
Gimly

 

[Gimly]

Hi all,

Do any of you clever people out there know how to code serial numbers into the programme so that the user has to enter that number to make the programme run?

Please help

Thanx
Gimly

 

[sjn78]

What I did for a program was fairly simple and basic.

I had a form where the person had to enter their name and company. From there, I converted each letter to its ascii code and did a few calculations on it. Eg

If there name was Bob, convert it to ascii, not sure of the proper conversion, but lets say 89 + 102 + 89, I then added the numbers, divided it by the length of string. You can do any type of calcs to generate a serial. They are then required to email me and I give them the code.

I also made an external program for myself to generate that number.

Most people will enter their own name and company into a program, so until someone finds out the secret to how the code is generated, the program is safe from pirating.

If you would like to more, let me know.

Steve

 

[MrVB50au]

Yes, I to created myself a kind of DB application for my use and when people email me a code from my application (that they recieved on CD), I do a quick search for that code and if it's not in the DB file, then I email the user back to give them the running Key.

If they don't email me, the application runs fine but with limitations and a nag each time the application is opened, prompting them to enter and email the code. There is no way as far as I know that anyone had been able to crack this as it's also inbedded in the main exe file, which exe file? they wouldn't know. if this file is deleted the application does not find the file and so it will not work.

 

[kimtp]

http://www.aspack.com

has an inexpensive program to do what you mite be looking for.

kim

 

[Gimly]

Thank you all for ur replies, it is much appreciated and real good and halpful info.

Thanx again
Gimly

 

[ADoozer]

sjn78: >until someone finds out the secret to how the code is generated, the program is safe from pirating.

surely posting the "secret" on a freely accessible forum is not in your best interest.

all: there was a rather substantial thread about protecting your software (as best you could) in this forum a few months back, if i can find it i will post it hear, but so far my searches havent been succesful!! (maybe someone out there knows which thread i mean!! If somethings hard to do, its not worth doing - Homer Simpson

 

[ADoozer]

woohoo!! found it

thread222-343200 If somethings hard to do, its not worth doing - Homer Simpson

 

[ADoozer]

shoot... time for a new piece of paper.... its thread222-446962... sorry If somethings hard to do, its not worth doing - Homer Simpson