[2005] Software Obfuscation and copy protection

[GaryMazzone]

Mods I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this move if you think so.


I looking for feedback opinions on obfuscation and copy protection for .Net applications.


So I guess the basic question is:

What software anyone using to perform obfuscation of your code before sale? Also anything to prevent piracy? Allow timed demo of application?

Thanks
Gary

[Kasracer]

These kinds of questions have been poised many times in this forum. My opinions are very user-experience-centric.

What software anyone using to perform obfuscation of your code before sale?

None. .Net's design makes applications easy to disassemble. What does obfuscation do? It hides the meanings behind your code (i.e. variable renaming) and also creates method overloads to hide the purpose of your methods. Some even go as far as encryption but in the end it doesn't matter.

You'll make it a little harder for the occasionally cracker but beyond that it's ineffective. You can still follow the process flow from obfuscated code. Since encrypted assemblies can't run by themselves with the framework they have to be decrypted at some point making them vulnerable. It would also have the decryption key embedded within itself (otherwise how could it decrypt itself?).

Obfuscation is a waste of money in my opinion. You developed in .Net so you knew the risks before hand. Trying to use a rapid development focused framework for a native application is never a good idea.

Also anything to prevent piracy?

No. Think about it this way: Joe wants to pirate a copy of your software. Do you think he is going to

1. Attempt to copy a CD
2. Attempt to install someone else's copy
3. Find it at a typical software pirating website.

If you guessed 3 then you're correct. No matter what software protection scheme(s) you employ on your software, 99.9% of pirates will be completely unaffected because they downloaded the copy someone else broke.

The biggest problem I have with software companies is when they treat their customers like criminals. I'm very against any type of DRM and copy-protection on all types of software and media as it only punishes the legitimate user and does absolutely nothing to the pirate.

Allow timed demo of application?

I have no qualms with this. Keep on keepin' on

[alexjanjic]

I use {Smartassembly} search google. Its very easy to use but you have to pay a little bit