mitch..
of course we care!
i dont think it is possible to ever stop the crackers from
cracking our software.. the question is.. how long will it
take?
i have a lot of ideas about how to generate a new regcode
system (using RC4 encryption - i currently use this in my
Java programs to prevent decompilation)..
anyone willing to put their 2c in and help get this project
implemented?
the idea is as follows:
- encrypt the contents of the "prc" files using a two
way self modifying encryption algorithm (RC4 is a perfect
example of this)
- use the "prc" file as the encryption key.. if they change
the "file", it wont decrypt properly.. (and trust me, being
a recursive key - there will be millions of possibilities)
anyone interested? please contact me.. i can give you further
information..
- i want this scheme in LodeRunner II when i release it..
and i believe if it is successful, it will be an "asset"
to many developers..
i have most of the code already.. so it is no skin of my nose.
cheers.
az.
--
Aaron Ardiri
Lecturer http://www.hig.se/~ardiri/
University-College i G�vle mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
SE 801 76 G�vle SWEDEN
Tel: +46 26 64 87 38 Fax: +46 26 64 87 88
Mob: +46 70 352 8192 A/H: +46 26 10 16 11
On Tue, 8 Jun 1999, Fawcett, Mitch wrote:
> I almost don't care if someone who is smart enough figures out a way around
> my copy protection as long as they are the only one using it. Considered it
> their own particular price of admission. It is when they post the cracked
> program on the internet for the whole world to download that freaks me out.
> For some reason there is a distinct lack of rabidity on this subject from
> this here group. The vibe I'm getting here is that generally it is hopeless
> or not worth the effort to fight the piracy, so why bother.
>
> There are big criminal fines for copyright infringement. It's a matter of
> convincing the feds to make an example of just one of these jokers. Here is
> what I wrote to my congressman.
>
> Dear Representative Castle:
>
> I am a computer software developer in Delaware and I make my living creating
> copyrighted works involving computers and computer software. It is very
> discouraging to see my work being distributed freely over the internet by
> individuals who choose to ignore the laws regarding copyrighted material.
> These individuals often justify their actions by claiming that because they
> do not charge for the software, they are not subject to the restrictions of
> the copyright laws of the United States.
>
> There are now internet web sites where hundreds, if not thousands, of
> copyrighted programs are available for free for the price of a few seconds
> of download time. We in the software developer community do what we can to
> force these sites to close, but it is often the case that the site reopens
> at another address within a few days.
>
> I hope there is something that you or I can do that will make it clear to
> these individuals that it is illegal to copy and distribute copyrighted
> material even if they do not charge for it. Perhaps by making a harsh
> example through the criminal justice system, a message could be sent to
> others who are contemplating these illegal and unethical activities.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Mitchell R. Fawcett, Jr.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Aaron Ardiri [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> > Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 1999 12:56 PM
> > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > Subject: Re: cracking site - how do we shut it down?
> >
> > On Tue, 8 Jun 1999, Ryan Minnig wrote:
> > > You will never be able to stop people from cracking your software.
> > Heck,
> > > there have even been times when I had to resort to doing my own cracking
> >
> > > to use a 'time limited' or some sort of 'shareware internet
> > registration'
> > > to be able to use the full version. The long and short of it is as long
> >
> > > as there is software people want to use and it's more cost effective to
> > > spend hours downloading (or, heaven forbid, cracking yourself) people
> > > will find a way to crack it. If you don't want it cracked (very fast
> > > that is) you will have to devote considerable resources to finding a way
> >
> > > to make it uncrackable as long as possible (i.e. long enough for you to
> > > make a profit off of it). Remember there are high school and college
> > > students that have many free hours to spend doing this sort of thing,
> > and
> > > also working people, but just with not as much free time.
> > >
> > > In my opinion,
> > > Q. Is downloading full versions of cracked software wrong?
> > > A. Probably.
> >
> > agreed.. how many of you have cracked desktop software?
> >
> > > Q. Is downloading full (trial) versions of software from the internet or
> >
> > > CD provided by the author/company then cracking it yourself wrong?
> > > A. No. If a person/company is too lazy or stupid to think through their
> >
> > > copy protection ahead of time they are just looking for trouble. And
> > > yes, it would be foolish to use the same scheme on multiple peices of
> > > software to better code reuse (like M$ Office, OS, Bookshelf, Developer
> > > studio.......)
> >
> > thats what i have always thought too.
> >
> > a) if they are smart enough to crack it.. good on em.
> > b) them distributing it is wrong.
> >
> > > For all you software engineers out there like me. At least perform a
> > > checksum on your code before you allow the OS (Palm or otherwise) to
> > > execute it to stop the inexperienced hacker from NOPing or changing BEQs
> >
> > > to BNEs. (and yes, I know it is a little difficult to do this when not
> > > in an embedded system, using someone elses OS, but if you don't, be
> > > prepared for many crackers of all ages to use you software in a matter
> > of
> > > minutes, hours or days)
> >
> > but they can jump over that too. :P
> >
> > az.
> > --
> > Aaron Ardiri
> > Lecturer http://www.hig.se/~ardiri/
> > University-College i G�vle mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > SE 801 76 G�vle SWEDEN
> > Tel: +46 26 64 87 38 Fax: +46 26 64 87 88
> > Mob: +46 70 352 8192 A/H: +46 26 10 16 11
> >
>
>
