.NET code exposure

**ramezb84** · Sep 14th, 2003, 03:32 PM

Hello everyone,

When opening the release-built exe file in a plain text editor, certain strings from the program appear in plain text format. There are certain pieces of information within my program that should not be viewed by anyone using the exe file, is there a way to hide certain/all strings in an executable program file?

(i am using the full Visual Studio .NET 2003 Enterprise)

Thank You

**hellswraith** · Sep 14th, 2003, 04:25 PM

There is a built in obfusicator (spell?) in 2003. This is what you are looking for, but I can't tell you how to use it as I haven't done it myself.

**Pirate** · Sep 14th, 2003, 07:01 PM

Use dotfuscator , it's located in tools menu in VS.NET 2003 only. BTW , in .NET not only some strings can be revealed but also the code with enough details for newbie crackers

. I forgot what's that tool called .

**VBCrazyCoder** · Sep 15th, 2003, 07:22 AM

You can also encrypt sensitive data like your DB connection string and store it in your applications config file.

**Pirate** · Sep 15th, 2003, 07:37 AM

Originally posted by VBCrazyCoder
You can also encrypt sensitive data like your DB connection string and store it in your applications config file.

But , this dotfuscator tool is optimized to encrypt .NET code and MS say also this will faster your code execution and your prog at whole .

**VBCrazyCoder** · Sep 15th, 2003, 07:42 AM

Hmmm. Didn't know it could also speed up your app. Maybe it runs it through the ngen utility as part of the obfuscation process? Interesting...

**Pirate** · Sep 15th, 2003, 07:46 AM

I don't know much about this beast and never tried it before, but I've read it turns the code into native lang , instead of translating it from IL to then to native code .

**Pirate** · Sep 15th, 2003, 07:48 AM

Yea , this is one of 100 links available on the net that talks about it . A brief

**ramezb84** · Sep 15th, 2003, 09:37 AM

Thanks everyone, Dotfuscator™ seems ot be a good solution, strangely enough though how come microsoft didn't manage to come up with something like this through their 7 editions of visual basic?

Ah well, i'm looking for the professional edition since the one included with .NET 2003 Enterprise Architect is a limited one, if anyone could provide a link to the full professional version, that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again,
Ramez

**Pirate** · Sep 15th, 2003, 09:41 AM

It's here :
http://www.xtras.net/Products/dotfuscator.asp

**ramezb84** · Sep 15th, 2003, 09:47 AM

thanks, but i was thinking more like a link that allows me to get it for free?
The professional edition costs $1400+!

I'll let you know if I find a place to download it, if anyone else has/had better luck finding it, please let me know

Thank You

**Pirate** · Sep 15th, 2003, 09:55 AM

..................

. So , you are one of the good guys here

, join the club . If I ever found it , surly I'll let you know and I'll stick it to my coming website too .

**ramezb84** · Sep 15th, 2003, 10:09 AM

thanks... i'm sure that program will show up sooner or later... hope ur warez site comes up soon

still digging for Dotfuscator Professional 2.0 ...

**Pirate** · Sep 15th, 2003, 10:11 AM

Goodluck

.

**hellswraith** · Sep 15th, 2003, 10:36 AM

It is funny how you want to protect your code, but in the same breath you want to steal someone elses code. I hope others crack and steal your code also.

**ramezb84** · Sep 15th, 2003, 10:52 AM

My program-to-be is freeware, as I believe all programs should be. By using retail software for free I am fighting for my beliefs. I am standing by a just cause.

**hellswraith** · Sep 15th, 2003, 11:35 AM

Originally posted by ramezb84
My program-to-be is freeware, as I believe all programs should be. By using retail software for free I am fighting for my beliefs. I am standing by a just cause.

Give me a break. Do you really think that Visual Studio.Net IDE would have been created just for free? Do you think Windows would ever come as far as it has for free?

If you are so into free software, why are you even developing with .Net? If you were really into it as you say you are, you would be using Linux, Open Office, and C++ with a free compiler.

You are definately NOT standing by a just cause. If you were, you wouldn't be using MS products.

At least some people on here (Pirate) fully admit that they do it, but don't hide behind some 'just' cause.

If your product is freeware, why not make it open source since you believe in it so much. Then, you wouldn't need to hide anything either.

**Sheppe** · Sep 15th, 2003, 12:48 PM

Originally posted by ramezb84
My program-to-be is freeware, as I believe all programs should be. By using retail software for free I am fighting for my beliefs. I am standing by a just cause.

Puhleez! So you're saying that people who live their lives writing software shouldn't be paid for it? Lemme guess - you're still living at home and don't have to worry about things like bills, right?

Just because it isn't tangible doesn't mean that people don't bust their asses writing software and shouldn't be paid for it! You'd better wake up and smell the coffee or find a different career path, cause you'll find yourself living in a hovel real quick if you aren't paid for your hard work.

**birthjay** · Sep 15th, 2003, 12:54 PM

.....By using retail software for free I am fighting for my beliefs. I am standing by a just cause.

That's a good one! "...fighting for my beliefs." The belief to be a thief?

Nobody forces you to buy Bill Gates or anyone elses software. Support the freeware guys of the world. Send money to guys who buiild freeware. They are all over the Internet. hellswraith named a few.

Hey..... send me some cash so I can stay home and write software programs. I will build anything you want if you support me. Otherwise, write it yourself and I will gladly use it to keep from having to buy any.

**Cander** · Sep 15th, 2003, 12:56 PM

Originally posted by ramezb84
My program-to-be is freeware, as I believe all programs should be. By using retail software for free I am fighting for my beliefs. I am standing by a just cause.

Your beliefs are crap! Nothing just about stealing.

If you REALLY want to express your beliefs, then you should be using free software, not stealing others under the BS statement you made.

**Pirate** · Sep 15th, 2003, 01:06 PM

Why everybody is against ramezb84 ?

. Most of you guys are just followers . You just use warezd programs and hide yourselves under the name of legality . They know themselves very well .

OK , I admit it I use these copy softwares, and I deserve if someone could hacked or cracked my programs . so , eye for an eye , tooth for a tooth .

so ramezb84 , go on , do what you believe in .

**ramezb84** · Sep 15th, 2003, 01:09 PM

Originally posted by hellswraith
Give me a break. Do you really think that Visual Studio.Net IDE would have been created just for free? Do you think Windows would ever come as far as it has for free?

If you are so into free software, why are you even developing with .Net? If you were really into it as you say you are, you would be using Linux, Open Office, and C++ with a free compiler.

You are definately NOT standing by a just cause. If you were, you wouldn't be using MS products.

At least some people on here (Pirate) fully admit that they do it, but don't hide behind some 'just' cause.

If your product is freeware, why not make it open source since you believe in it so much. Then, you wouldn't need to hide anything either.

Well Linux came even further and it was always free...

.NET.. well, its the best I could find, and i am using it for free, so basically, no violoation as far as what i believe in is concerned...

I didn't refer to Open-Source in any way, but my opinion about it is that i admore those ppl who r willing to create such software and have others add to it and enhance it, yet i personally would rather be credited for my own work rather than someone else. Its basically a generosity issue, just a part f everyone's personality. I wouldn't mind developing small open-source methods but I am not generous enough to spend a few weeks/months working on something just so someone else can put his name on it.

**ramezb84** · Sep 15th, 2003, 01:17 PM

Originally posted by Sheppe
Puhleez! So you're saying that people who live their lives writing software shouldn't be paid for it? Lemme guess - you're still living at home and don't have to worry about things like bills, right?

Just because it isn't tangible doesn't mean that people don't bust their asses writing software and shouldn't be paid for it! You'd better wake up and smell the coffee or find a different career path, cause you'll find yourself living in a hovel real quick if you aren't paid for your hard work.

hmm.. people maybe... microsoft no. sorry, i just don't believe in something costing say $1 mil to make, then be sold for $100 mil!

**VBCrazyCoder** · Sep 15th, 2003, 01:23 PM

But isn't the fact that you are using .NET in some way supporting it - wether you paid for it or not?

**ramezb84** · Sep 15th, 2003, 01:23 PM

Thanks pirate...
also, one last thing...
If you're distributing free software it is very likely to reach a good deal of people today... Optional registration with no added advantages isn't such a bad idea. I personally would pay for something if i thought it was worthwhile, as gratitude and to support the make to make more. But this is under my own will. I never actually faced such a situation, but IF VS .NET was freeware, i would be willing to register it, but not for 1000 or 2000 dollars!

**ramezb84** · Sep 15th, 2003, 01:29 PM

I am not really supporting .NET software. I know that more people who actually learn about VS .NET from my software distribution will be able to get it for free from all those good guys in the world who are running their own computers and utilizing their own internet connections to allow others to enjoy all levels of software. Such people i have always supported, and I was actually one of them, though i went to the greater limit of actually purchasing remote servers, and had several thousand users, before greed got to me, and i decided to make a members-only paid area... i was making alot of extra cash, but there was no fun runnning the whole thing... so i eventually got bored and stopped. However i admit that that was a BIG mistake, I could've ran the whole thing by charging ppl much much less to just compensate for server fees, or added an optional Donate button, but no, i had a "microsoft" mind of my own back then. BTW, at that time.. i was still in highschool, so... honest mistake!

**Cander** · Sep 15th, 2003, 01:45 PM

Originally posted by Pirate
Why everybody is against ramezb84 ? . Most of you guys are just followers . You just use warezd programs and hide yourselves under the name of legality . They know themselves very well .

OK , I admit it I use these copy softwares, and I deserve if someone could hacked or cracked my programs . so , eye for an eye , tooth for a tooth .

so ramezb84 , go on , do what you believe in .

Dont pass judgement on what you THINK others do. Every piece of software I use is paid for. If I can't afford it, I find a free alternative. I do NOT steal someone else under the guise of its my belief.

If you're distributing free software it is very likely to reach a good deal of people today

Then tell me. Why havent you found the legally free alternatives?

**ramezb84** · Sep 15th, 2003, 02:03 PM

Originally posted by Cander
Dont pass judgement on what you THINK others do. Every piece of software I use is paid for. If I can't afford it, I find a free alternative. I do NOT steal someone else under the guise of its my belief.

Then tell me. Why havent you found the legally free alternatives?

"IF" you distribute free software it will reach alot of people. I personally will make and distribute free software. IF someone produced something similar to VB .NET for free, i'd be glad to use it.

Oh, and as for "passing judgement" it serves the purpose of pointing out the VAST majority.

**Pirate** · Sep 15th, 2003, 03:23 PM

Originally posted by Cander
Every piece of software I use is paid for. If I can't afford it, I find a free alternative. I do NOT steal someone else under the guise of its my belief.

ah free alternative . It's easy to guess either Kaza or emule .
I can't understand why you are defending MS ? though , I'm so sure you have some bad impression on them .MS have their own lawyers. Anyways , to sum up , I would say :

If MS wants to protect their products , they will do if they couldn't cut this issue off , at least they will reduce it at any cost.

So, I'll do what I want to do , until MS stop me not anybody else.

**birthjay** · Sep 15th, 2003, 03:41 PM

I personally would pay for something if i thought it was worthwhile, as gratitude and to support the make to make more. But this is under my own will. I never actually faced such a situation, but IF VS .NET was freeware, i would be willing to register it, but not for 1000 or 2000 dollars!

Hey guys.........if you are going to use the argument that you want "Free" software so that you can distribute "Free" software then take a class at your local college and get the software for free or at a reduced rate. Microsoft doesn't want you using the software commericially but as far as I know they don't have a problem with you distributing free apps. This way you have the full version software (legally) and can continue your quest to make (your) free software available to everyone.

The bottom line is.....you are a thief. If you think Microsoft's stuff is worth using then you must think it is worth paying for. Microsoft can choose to charge whatever they want for their stuff. Hey...IT"S THEIR'S!!!!!! It ain't yours!!!! You don't have some God given right to use someone elses' stuff.

I have been down the pirate, hacking and cracking trails and I can tell you that there is enough freeware, and legally optional ways to get software other than stealing it.

One other thing. Don't be so careless to admit you use priated apps. Believe it or not, you are not anonymous and you ARE hanging yourself when you openly admit it.

Be "crafty" not "shafty".

**hellswraith** · Sep 15th, 2003, 03:45 PM

I agree birthjay.

I still don't understand the need to steal VS.Net though. There is plenty of free options out there that allow you to code .Net apps without having to steal the VS.Net IDE.

http://www.icsharpcode.net/OpenSource/SD/
www.asp.net
http://www.go-mono.com/

Just because you can't afford it, does not make it right. Sure, I hate that BMW's cost so much for what you get, but I am not going to just steal one and name my cause to be something just. Just because you don't get caught as easy stealing software, does not make it right. Period.

**crpietschmann** · Sep 17th, 2003, 02:13 PM

The Dotfuscator Community Edition is a third-party tool that is included with Visual Studio .NET 2003. The Dotfuscator Community Edition is a version of the PreEmptive Solution application that includes fewer features that the full version of the product.

You can use this tool to obfuscate the Microsoft intermediate language (MSIL) code that Visual Studio .NET generates. The obfuscation process prevents malicious users from decompiling MSIL code to obtain the source code. Obfuscation protects the developer’s intellectual property.

The obfuscation process removes debugging information and metadata from assemblies. Therefore, the resulting assemblies are smaller.

That is some text I got from the following link
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;820664

**Edneeis** · Sep 17th, 2003, 02:26 PM

Originally posted by ramezb84
Thanks pirate...
also, one last thing...
If you're distributing free software it is very likely to reach a good deal of people today... Optional registration with no added advantages isn't such a bad idea. I personally would pay for something if i thought it was worthwhile, as gratitude and to support the make to make more. But this is under my own will. I never actually faced such a situation, but IF VS .NET was freeware, i would be willing to register it, but not for 1000 or 2000 dollars!

There are freeware tools that do what VS.NET does:
http://www.icsharpcode.net/OpenSource/SD/

I believe hellswraith pointed out this one and some others too.

**ramezb84** · Sep 18th, 2003, 07:39 AM

sorry for the late reply,was kinda busy, thought i shouldpost this just so u know i ain't backing out...
--
the free vb.net ide tool looks good, but the last thing i want to use to create a stable application is a take-off from another program. this will probably cause many errors to my program's users and i believe its a bit ironic to distribute distribute harmful software whose main purpose is to help others and provide free services.
--
ms products and alternatives...
well, lets see here...
when i first begun my venture with computers, as most of us did, i begun with a primitive brand... in my case, amiga 500... then when i was about 9 or10 i moved on to pc dos > win 3.1 > win 95 ... i was fairly young back then, and that was the only way i knew to use a computer.
what i am trying to say here is ...
this same senario happened with many ppl before... i am sure.
ms products are no longer a luxury, but rather an essential of ones life.
and i think charging $2000 for one of these essentials is more like blackmail.. i know you will point weakness to my above statement but imagine this...
i need to use a computer... so much of my daily life depends on using a computer.. i basically know one way to use it... i cannot switch to a whole other system cuz i this is the only thing i am accustomed with, and it is the enviroment i need for all the other software i use which is incompatible with other products.
--
also.. think of these little senarios...

- i goto the store, i buy some food.. i pay for it.. i invite friends/people to come over and have lunch... i may even give away some of the food to strangers! i am thanked for that...

- lets think of something re-usable... i buy a new vacuum.. i pay for it... i use it to clean my house.. i llet my friends use it as well... and out of generosity if anyone asks to use it i wouldn't really mind so long as my original version of the vacuum is not affected. i am thanked for that...

i goto a software store.. i buy a software cd.. i use all i want of it.. i want to give it to my friends, or anyone who asks for it to use, as i am done with it, i may even ask them to return it so i can add it to my stack... i am sued for that!

--

later

**techgnome** · Sep 18th, 2003, 09:48 AM

Talk about a can of worms.... one thing I noticed that no one seemed to mentioned was the fact that the only part of .NET that MS is charging for is VS.NET.... you can download the .NET SDK for FREE and use Notepad or some other editor to create the code, then use the commandline compilerto create your apps.... what's the prob? I forget who said it, but I agree w/ the statement, that if tha pp is worthwile, I pay for it... if not, then I'll find a free version... that's why I use OpenOffic.org instead of MSOffice... same functionality... BETTER actually... and it's free.
I'm all for freeware, but I also think that there's a ton of pay software that's tops too and those people deserve to have their hard work paid for.... any cracks, hacks or warez is 100% stealing.....
Theft: an unlawful taking (as by embezzlement or burglary) of property
Stealing: to take the property of another wrongfully and especially as an habitual or regular practice

**techgnome** · Sep 18th, 2003, 10:00 AM

Originally posted by ramezb84
also.. think of these little senarios...

- i goto the store, i buy some food.. i pay for it.. i invite friends/people to come over and have lunch... i may even give away some of the food to strangers! i am thanked for that...

- lets think of something re-usable... i buy a new vacuum.. i pay for it... i use it to clean my house.. i llet my friends use it as well... and out of generosity if anyone asks to use it i wouldn't really mind so long as my original version of the vacuum is not affected. i am thanked for that...

i goto a software store.. i buy a software cd.. i use all i want of it.. i want to give it to my friends, or anyone who asks for it to use, as i am done with it, i may even ask them to return it so i can add it to my stack... i am sued for that!

--

WOW! That has got to be the biggest and most rediculous stretch of a comparison I have even seen.... that doesn't even come close.....
What you have done is to compare apples to tires.... ramezb84, stop now before you hurt yourself....
Let me ask you a question: When you bought that food.... or bought that vacuum, did you SIGN A USER LICENCE AGREEMENT? What? You DIDN'T? That's why you can share the food, that's why some one can borrow your vacuum.... but then you install software, by "clicking OK, you agree to bind yourself to the agreement." -- ALSO, when you bought the food and vacuum, you bought the actual items... something people tend to forget, when you buy software, you are not buying the software... you are buying a LICENS ALLOWING you to use the program, under certain conditions. Should the conditions be violated, by either the end user, or buy the company, then the license may be voided. Trust me, I've actualy read the EULA.... have you? You do not own the software, you've meerly bought the right to use it. That's it nothing more.

**birthjay** · Sep 18th, 2003, 10:20 AM

- lets think of something re-usable... i buy a new vacuum.. i pay for it... i use it to clean my house.. i llet my friends use it as well... and out of generosity if anyone asks to use it i wouldn't really mind so long as my original version of the vacuum is not affected. i am thanked for that...

ramezb84 - You make good points that most folks can identify with. Bill Gates; despite what he will admit; does have a monopoly in this world. I certainly sympathize with your comments. Utimately though, we all take responsiblity for our actions. As far as the vaccuum cleaner........well.......a vacuum cleaner doesn't come with a license agreement. Bill's software does. If the vaccuum cleaner company sold the vaccuum cleaner to be used in one household only, then your arguement wouldn't be any good.

Interesting discussion.

**Pirate** · Sep 18th, 2003, 10:29 AM

Originally posted by birthjay
Interesting discussion.

You mean , endless discussion !

**hellswraith** · Sep 18th, 2003, 11:36 AM

i need to use a computer... so much of my daily life depends on using a computer.. i basically know one way to use it... i cannot switch to a whole other system cuz i this is the only thing i am accustomed with, and it is the enviroment i need for all the other software i use which is incompatible with other products.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....

You can't switch to a whole other system.....WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP. People do it every day.

I got an idea, why don't you send a email here and explain it to them....lol.

I am done with this, you obviously won't accept that you are stealing, so the point of arguing is pointless. Good luck in life.

**crpietschmann** · Sep 18th, 2003, 07:17 PM

Actually you can borrow the software to someone else!! According to the license agreement, One license can be installed on only one machine at a time. It doesn't say that you can only install it on one machine, and you can never install it on another machine again. They only say that it can be installed on one computer at a time. It's completely legal to install on another machine, as long as you uninstall it on the first machine before you install on the other machine.

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Warez Dotfuscator

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WOW!

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I agree...

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