Coder's Guild Mailing List

Ani-Software Piracy Notes

Posted by Kode A.C. on 2001-04-12

Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2001 12:50:47 +0800
From: mas fawzi mohd ali Subject:
Re: MS-DOS and Spaces

Hi Reto & Remmie, Thank you friend. You've answered my question well. I do 
appreciate the advices as well... Anyway, I'm working on a secure project 
against software piracy. The old methodology of using names serial no.s 
doesn't seems to work anymore. There are a lot of cracking tools (and even 
tutorial) on the web of how to crack those codes. Anybody have any 
codes/idea of how to give a hard time to these hackers? :-) Regards.

Hello everyone,
Okay, this thread was about using spaces in DOS, but currently someone asked 
a anti-software piracy question.  Okay, I have a limited understanding for 
implementing the software security measure, but I can tell you something 
about them and possibility you can come up with an implementation of your 
own.

Online Serial Allotments

You are given a serial number or software key that if reproduced cannot
exist at the same time on the server side.

Pros: An unauthorized user is a bit encumbered when accessing the online
gaming.
Cons: Still crackable.  Eventually, if you are patient you will be able 
toplay.

Hardware Configuration Key codes

This is not a very new thing, but it is becoming more widely used.  The
software generates a key that is tailored to your specific hardware and the 
software cannot be installed on other machines.

Pros: does stop large companies from cheating and doing multiple installs
with out purchasing the licenses.
Cons: Well, it can be cracked too.  I noticed that 3DS Max R4 has been
cracked.  So it can be done.

You need to consider how necessary it is for users to crack your software.  
That also helps in deciding what you are going to use.

In conclusion, it this point security measures get cracked, and developers 
respond with new security, the cycle continues.


Hey, guys, on another not.  There is a site petitioning to let users of
Nintendo products voice their opinions on supporting maturity in software. 
Rareware did make a game for N64 that was very mature, "Counker's Bad Fur 
Day".  It was funny, and very shocking.  We want to encourage them to keep 
up the good work.  We know Nintendo is about quality, but who says quality 
and mature content cannot coexist?

Here are the links to the story and website:
Story
http://cube.ign.com/news/33304.html

Petition
http://www.petitiononline.com/MatueGC/petition.html

Those who are developers as well as gameplayers, I encourage you to at least 
check it out.  Also, if you think it is a good cause, pass the word ok!

G'day!
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com