High Score? Can I block Hex Editors?

[zenenigma]

I've written a small game, in which I have a high score number as well as several other number (cash on hand, for example). The problem I've had is that I can use a smile hex editor (can be found anywhere). And it will search for the number value and after a few seconds it will find the memory alocation of that part of my program and give the opportunity to change it. Normally I wouldn't care, but I want my game to be as fool-proof as possible. I've noticed a game called "Dopewars" (forgive the example, it's the best I've found) which was able to be hacked in version 1.0. However, 2.0 can't be hacked as far as I can tell. True, I don't know what language the program was written in, but there has to be some kind of encryption I can use (but I would have to use it constantly, everytime the value changes and I want to display it). Any help would be appreciated.

 

[petermeachem]

Look up encryption at

http://www.vbcode.com/

There are several suitable methods explained. Peter Meachem
peter@accuflight.com

 

[jmarler]

As Peter said . . .look at encryption. That will be your best bet. - Jeff Marler B-)

 

[Alt255]

Or try steganography in conjunction with encryption.

See thread222-45920 for a simple example of storing data in an image file.

Alt255@Vorpalcom.Intranets.com​

 

[petermeachem]

If the straightforward encrypt is not good enough, split the score into bits and store them one bit per byte, put something random into the other seven bits. That should be hard to crack.
Or would have been had I not told everyone about it. Peter Meachem
peter@accuflight.com