Click here to Skip to main content
Click here to Skip to main content

Checking the serial Number of a CD

By , 26 Dec 2001
 

Introduction

This program checks the serial number of a CD-ROM and refuses to work if the installation CD is not in the CD Drive. This program assumes that at the Time of installation the serial number of the installation CD is stored at the registry location HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CDsoft\Cds. We can achieve this by adding the below code to our installation program.

GetVolumeInformation(drive,
                     vol,
                     sizeof(vol),
                     &sno,
                     &mf,
                     &sf,
                     NULL,NULL);
RegCreateKeyEx (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, "Software\\CDsoft", 0, 
                NULL,REG_OPTION_NON_VOLATILE, KEY_CREATE_SUB_KEY | KEY_ALL_ACCESS, 
                NULL, &childkey, &dispos) ;
RegSetValueEx ( childkey, "Cds", 0, REG_DWORD, ( const BYTE* )(LPDWORD) &sno, size) ;
RegCloseKey ( childkey );

In the OnInitDialog function ,we read the serial number of installation CD from registry by using the code below. And we also start a timer.

    HKEY hkeyresult ;
    DWORD size=sizeof(DWORD) ;
    DWORD type;
    BYTE  sno[100];
    
    RegOpenKey ( HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, ( LPCTSTR ) "Software\\CDsoft", &hkeyresult );
    RegQueryValueEx ( hkeyresult, ( LPCTSTR )"Cds" , 0,&type, sno,&size);
    RegCloseKey ( hkeyresult );
    serialnoCD=*(DWORD *)sno;

    SetTimer(NULL,1000,NULL);

In this program OnTimer calls the function check every second. If the CD is not present in the Drive, this function displays a MessageBox. The function for checking the serial number of a CD-ROM is given below...

void CCDcheckDlg::Check() 
{
    char dbits[100],drive[100];
    int i=0;
    
    DWORD d=GetLogicalDriveStrings(100, dbits);
    strncpy(drive,dbits+i,4);
    
    for (int nDrives = 0; nDrives < 26; nDrives ++)
    {
        if(GetDriveType(drive)==DRIVE_CDROM)
            break;    
        i+=4;
        strncpy(drive,dbits+i,4);
    }

    char vol[40];        
    DWORD mf;            
    DWORD sf,sno;    
    GetVolumeInformation(drive,
                         vol,
                         sizeof(vol),
                         &sno,
                         &mf,
                         &sf,
                         NULL,NULL);

    int ret;
    
    //serialnoCD is the serial number of installation CD..
    if (sno!=serialnoCD){
        ret=MessageBox("To use this software CD Must be in the drive",
                       "Sorry", MB_RETRYCANCEL|MB_ICONERROR|MB_APPLMODAL);    
    }
}

This is only an idea and I don't know much about pirating software. I heard that the serial number is unique for all CD's and it can't be changed but I don't know that is true or false. Anyway I think this method can be useful to reduce or lower piracy. What do you think?

License

This article has no explicit license attached to it but may contain usage terms in the article text or the download files themselves. If in doubt please contact the author via the discussion board below.

A list of licenses authors might use can be found here

About the Author

H. Joseph
United States United States
Member
No Biography provided

Sign Up to vote   Poor Excellent
Add a reason or comment to your vote: x
Votes of 3 or less require a comment

Comments and Discussions

 
You must Sign In to use this message board.
Search this forum  
    Spacing  Noise  Layout  Per page   
GeneralChecking the serial Number of a CDmemberBabita Shivade17 Mar '09 - 1:49 
I want c# code for checking the serial number of cd .plz reply me
GeneralRe: Checking the serial Number of a CDmembermbaocha27 Apr '09 - 19:10 
thanks for the info. This will surely help us check CD piracy
 
______________________________________________________________________________
Digital Map Nigeria|Street Level Map of Lagos Abuja Nigeria
GeneralFailing to read the serial numbermemberJorgeAxel26 Jan '09 - 9:46 
I have done a similar program to check the CD Serial no., but in some machines this does not work. I have tested in both Windows XP and Windows Vista and in both the SW works. Any ideas under which conditions the reading fails?
GeneralI CAN STOP THE PIRACY IF I get the solution preventing serail No to be copeid.memberprashant Shukla25 Aug '06 - 7:46 
Yes, we can stop it. If any one have idea to generate the unique serial no. at the time of copying cd by Image.
GeneralRe: I CAN STOP THE PIRACY IF I get the solution preventing serail No to be copeid.membertamuz23 Jul '07 - 10:09 
Dear Mr. prashant Shukla
 
I'm afraid, it's too far from true.
 
1. Simple to create ANY Serial Number for CD
2. Simple to false it to a new CD
3. Simple to copy all content from your protected CD to a new one with 'THE NEEDED SERIAL'
 
4. Maybe a little hard to find out the code for checking 'SERIAL' and cut it from protected application.

 
http://payoff-systems.co.nr
QuestionHow to Protect the content on CDmemberPraveen Reddy R7 Dec '05 - 18:40 
Hi,
1. How to protect the content on CD.
2. The user should access the data only when he insert the cd into the CD-Rom.
3. User is not supposed to copy any files and folders from the CD, Print Screen and protect cd to cd writing.
4. How to set the expiration date for the CD Content.
 
Please suggest the solution for the above requirements.
 
Thanking you, in anticipation of earliest response.
 

 

 
Regards,
Praveen Reddy R
GeneralI can break any Copy Protected CDsussEngr. ‘Wale (Nigeria, West Africa)13 Jun '05 - 9:42 
I am Engr. ‘Wale, from Nigeria, West Africa. I specialized in C/C++ and Assembler.
 
It is easy as unwrapping a Candy. There are different ways in doing it; I will mention 3 out of 100!
 
1: Make a clone of the original CD with Freeware or Shareware CD copy software (many of them is available on the Net); the Serial Number will be the same.
 
2: You can attack the Installation Exec Code with Hexa-debug in C/C++ or assembler and bypass the Serial Number Detecting Code. Generate a new installation Exec file, and burn it with other files to create a new CD.
 
3: If the CD proves stubborn, like Hexalock or Starforce that uses micro fingerprinting, get a Spy (Not Microsoft Spy!, I once wrote one and many is on the Net). Run the Spy to be active, then run the installation software on the original CD while the Spy watches. At the end of installation, use the Spy to create Dummy compressed installation files, and burn it on another CD. Pronto!
 
If all the above failed which I doubt send it to me, let me have a look at it.
I hate Piracy Anyway. I believe in cheap/shareware software.
Please remember some people in Africa can’t afford a PC not to talk of Software, while some people waste money building nuclear missiles!

GeneralHow to make Copy Protected CDmemberPraveen Reddy R7 Dec '05 - 18:08 
Hi,
1. I need to protect the content in side the CD.
2. the user sould not have any privelages to copy the files, folders and copying cd to cd.
3. I need to set the expiery date for the CD content.
4. The user should access the data only when he insert the cd into the CD-Rom.
 
Please suggest the solution for the above requirements.
 
Thanking you, in anticipation of earliest response.
 
if possible mail us: praveenrm@kesdee.com
 


 
Regards,
Praveen Reddy R.
GeneralRe: How to make Copy Protected CDmembertamuz23 Jul '07 - 9:56 
Dear Mr. Praveen Reddy R.
 
Maybe we'll help you
 
Visit us:
 
http://payoff-systems.co.nr
 
Regards,
GeneralI can break any Copy Protected CDsussEngr. ‘Wale13 Jun '05 - 9:41 
I am Engr. ‘Wale, from Nigeria, West Africa. I specialized in C/C++ and Assembler.
 
It is easy as unwrapping a Candy. There are different ways in doing it; I will mention 3 out of 100!
 
1: Make a clone of the original CD with Freeware or Shareware CD copy software (many of them is available on the Net); the Serial Number will be the same.
 
2: You can attack the Installation Exec Code with Hexa-debug in C/C++ or assembler and bypass the Serial Number Detecting Code. Generate a new installation Exec file, and burn it with other files to create a new CD.
 
3: If the CD proves stubborn, like Hexalock or Starforce that uses micro fingerprinting, get a Spy (Not Microsoft Spy!, I once wrote one and many is on the Net). Run the Spy to be active, then run the installation software on the original CD while the Spy watches. At the end of installation, use the Spy to create Dummy compressed installation files, and burn it on another CD. Pronto!
 
If all the above failed which I doubt send it to me, let me have a look at it.
I hate Piracy Anyway. I believe in cheap/shareware software.
Please remember some people in Africa can’t afford a PC not to talk of Software, while some people waste money building nuclear missiles!

GeneralRe: I can break any Copy Protected CD [modified]memberprashant Shukla25 Aug '06 - 7:35 
Hi Wale,
some how you are right. but here I need to ask a question that is any thing by which we could stop the serial no. of source CD to be copied in pirated CD.
 

-- modified at 13:36 Friday 25th August, 2006
GeneralRe: I can break any Copy Protected CDmembertamuz23 Jul '07 - 10:20 
Dear Mr. Engr. ‘Wale, from Nigeria, West Africa
 
You are right about some people in Africa, you are right about some people waste money building nuclear missiles. But what about "I can break any Copy Protected CD"? Are you sure. Try that http://payoff.co.nr
 
No encryption, no data onto CD/DVD, no check for original media. Look tests on a page. If It'll stop you, tell me how can you copy it
 
Let's work together
 
Regards,
AnswerRe: I can break any Copy Protected CD [modified]memberWale Kassim2 Sep '07 - 7:05 
Dear Tamuz,
 
Hope you know that Codeproject is for learning and assisting in programming, not for challenge on copy protection, You are not a pro in copy protection field so I am not surprised that you are showing a claim of unbreakable in this site.
 
Well I have gone to your site I got this:
 
"- Our CD-ROM is pure HardWare Locked. No any encryption, No Software Locks, No checking for original media, No Hidden Drivers. Do you remember SONY and StarForce scandal?"
 
By logic it is wrong to claim copy protection and still maintain the above quote from your site.
 
If your techniques worked so well and StarForce failed, why don’t you sell your magic to SONY? Or are you afraid it will fail just like Starforce?Laugh | :laugh:
 
You claimed HardWare Lock is your technique, remember that Dongles too is HardwareLock, and has been broken.;P
 
Hope, you will be happy to sell your technique to Microsoft, Adobe, Disney and all those game developers, we will wait for them.Mad | :mad:
 
Anyway Mr. Tamuz, if you want real challenge, show your pride by bragging in Alstavista.MS forum where I belong or Friever, pinpoint any commercial software that is selling and using your HardWare Lock technique. That is where pro test their anti-piracy tech not in Codeproject. We will wait for you.Sleepy | :zzz:
 
If you want to challenge me personally, request my mailbox from Codeproject.Sleepy | :zzz:
 
Regards,
 
Adewale Kassim is a C++ programmer currently working on Harvard Database Project, as well as a consultant to Walxytech Ltd. (a Software Development and 3D Animation Company).
He has 20 years of C/C++ programming experience.
 
Walxytech Ltd., is currently working on graphic/animation software and he is co-coordinating it.

GeneralDoes not really workmemberAnonymous10 Jun '02 - 22:57 
it seems that different windows versions generate different serial numbers for the same data cd (not so for audio cds)
GeneralSorry Doesnt WorkmemberAnonymous12 Apr '02 - 15:00 
if you copy a Cd with for example Easy CD Creator - Cd Copy, the serials on both cd´s are identical.
GeneralRe: Sorry Doesnt WorksussAnonymous13 Jul '03 - 2:00 
May be it is because, not every CDROM has a unique id, but the CD writer has a unique id. I think, when you use CD writer then CD writer writes its id on CDROM.
baynaa.

GeneralNaive coders create rich lawyersmemberAnonymous22 Feb '02 - 19:45 
I have to agree with the gent on the comment about only slowing down piracy by using a hardware / software scheme. Frivolous techniques like that only keeps the honest users honest.
 
I first learned ML programming by cracking games for the old school Apple and Commodore 64 (telling my age), then PC games (much easier), then I was cracking commercial applications. Somewhere in there I figured I was better at writing my own. Though not for the shrink-wrap software market. Not with piracy as easy as taking a book to Kinko's, and proprietary code that can be reverse engineered, revision driven sales to get customers paying more than once for something, and costly version upgrades for features and fixes that should have been included with the release, and on and on...
 
Besides, any pimple-faced kid with a half-cheek knowledge of x86 assembly, Soft-Ice, a matrix algebra book, and a box of twinkies can write a product-key generator for microsoft windoze. Moreover, same kid could easily defeat any copy-protection scheme conceived even dongles protection. I'm not talking about the dongles cracked by bypassing the cheesy routines that call these protection functions. I mean the tough state-machine hardware dongle.
 
A state machine dongle is essentially a "computer" sitting on the parallel port. THe application makes calls to it and it returns arguments for the application to use as jumppoints to critical routines. To crack, it requires monitoring, either through logic analyzer or breakpoint disassembly, and trapping every iteration of code passing across the parallel port. This requires having a good, active key. I've seen this protection on products where the software was given away, but the key costs 15G.
 
As an embedded programmer, I suffer not from the trivialities of copy-protection as my code is intertwined within some tangible hardware. It is also open-sourced. I'll give it away for the asking.
 
I believe in free knowledge. The last time I paid for it, I got a Ph.D .
 
Anyways, there are only two solutions to this paradigm, although one is trivial:
 
Make it free. Or make it so expensive no one can buy a copy ... to copy.
 
Any shrink-wrap software programmer that thinks he has the ultimate protection scheme is no more knowledgeable of his job than the marketing girl down the hall. They both work to create rich lawyers.
 

 

Cool | :cool:
 
LW, PH.D EE
RTP,NC
GeneralRe: Naive coders create rich lawyersmemberNish [BusterBoy]22 Feb '02 - 20:27 
Anonymous wrote:
Any shrink-wrap software programmer that thinks he has the ultimate protection scheme is no more knowledgeable of his job than the marketing girl down the hall. They both work to create rich lawyers.
 
LOL
 
So funny and true...
 
Nish
 
My most recent CP article :-

A newbie's elementary guide to spawning processes

www.busterboy.org
GeneralRe: Naive coders create rich lawyersmemberHirosh Joseph23 Feb '02 - 7:17 
Hi PHD guy
this program is not for u
this for unknowledgeable innocent peoples that uses the software
to crack one exe there is no need of a phd
haahhhhha
hir
AnswerRe: Naive coders create rich lawyersmembertamuz23 Jul '07 - 10:32 
Dear Mr.LW, PH.D EE RTP,NC
 
>>They both work to create rich lawyers
Smile | :) Agree
 
1. Will you permit me to add 3-rd way?
Create UNBREAKABLE lock
 
Don't tell me It's impossible. We still don't know yes or no
 
>>Make it free
 
If you invested 100.000.000 USD to do a movie. Will you agree to "MAKE IT FREE" or maybe you'll earn some money?
 
Regards,
GeneralHelpfull but questionmemberAMW27 Jan '02 - 7:46 
I was just wondering; How would I get the serial number of something like the BIOS or CPU?
QuestionWhat about backup CD copies?memberPP2 Jan '02 - 3:39 
To require the installation CD in the CD drive is a good idea to protect one's software.
However, the easiest way of stealing software is to make a backup CD of the original, which might be used to installing the stolen product.
 
Unfortunately, this technic does not seem to offer protection against this elemantary form of software piracy.
 
PP
AnswerRe: What about backup CD copies?memberhirosh2 Jan '02 - 22:14 
Hee i think serial number of CD is unique
So i check serial number of installation CD
But i am not sure,If the Serial number is unique
then backup copy of CD will not work right?
hirosh
GeneralRe: What about backup CD copies?sussAnonymous13 Jul '03 - 2:07 
Don´t be sure. I have searched internet for 3 days, and found nothing about a CDROM has unique number. It would be great if it had one.
baynaa.
AnswerRe: What about backup CD copies?memberHAHAHA_NEXT28 Apr '04 - 9:58 
Actually something is really stupid.
Now you can not copy a game for back up purpose.
If you can not copy a game, thus why dont they make a burner which can not simply burn copyrighted CDs. Or why can not copy CD, have a string at the beginning to dedintifie them as copy CDs ?
 
On the other case if you want to allow back ups, then remove all security.
 
Only Absolute Power and Absolutely No power matters. The rest is slavery.
GeneralAll copy protection schemes failmemberJohn Bates1 Jan '02 - 14:29 
All copy protection schemes fail because at some point some piece of software has the decoded data, or the protection check can be skipped (even for hardware dongles, etc - the manufacturers don't tell you this in their brochures). If you have a good product people will want it - look at WinZip for example.
A much better solution is to make your software as cheap as possible - a box with a CD and registration card in it can be manufactured and sold in shops for just a few dollars, or downloaded for next to nothing. But charge users for yearly maintenance, upgrade plans, telephone support, etc. - a lot of the cost for software is actually supporting a released product.
Use a register-with-us-for-support scheme so that only the first person who registers the software gets support (have a unique number on the registration card). If someone pirates the software they just have to buy a support plan, etc.
Have a license that specifies corporate usage must register each copy, etc. - most companies won't risk a big legal bill just to save $20 a copy.
At the end of the day you only make money on a product by selling corporate licenses and some copies through stores.
Just my 2 cents worth....
GeneralRe: All copy protection schemes failmemberTim Smith1 Jan '02 - 14:48 
Bah.
 
Copy protection isn't for hardcore hackers. It is to help prevent basically honest or lazy people from stealing the software.
 
Tim Smith
Descartes Systems Sciences, Inc.
GeneralRe: All copy protection schemes failmemberAndy Metcalfe1 Jan '02 - 21:48 
Tim Smith wrote:
Bah.
 
You forgot the "humbug"... Poke tongue | ;-P
 
Andy Metcalfe - Sonardyne International Ltd

Trouble with resource IDs? Try the Resource ID Organiser Add-In for Visual C++ 5.0/6.0

"I'm just another 'S' bend in the internet. A ton of stuff goes through my system, and some of the hairer, stickier and lumpier stuff sticks."
- Chris Maunder (I just couldn't let that one past Wink | ;) )
GeneralSounds easy...memberBrian V Shifrin31 Dec '01 - 22:11 

Do GetVolumeInformation on real CD record sn.
 
Create loader to inject process with fake GetVolumeInformation stub either by remote or IAT patching. I suspect Virtual Drive does just that.
 
I remember first Win32 days when most software protections were based on that.
 
Trouble with this protection is: no way to hide call to GetVolumeInformation.
Storing key in the registry - regmon would get it, storing key in "MSVCP70.dll" - filemon would get it.
 
-------------- or --------------------
 
Cracking steps are easy, with winICE:
set breakpoint to (bpx) GetVolumeInformationA
execute past GetVolumeInformation
set breakpoint to memory access with address of CD sn
this will break on compare routine
replace it with memmove ( in case of other checks )
and
 
mov eax, 1
ret
 
done
GeneralRe: Sounds easy...memberhirosh1 Jan '02 - 3:56 
hihi
u r very nice...
i know any protection schems r crack by good crackers
and this is not a good protection scheme also
but still the number of crackers r not so much hear..
i understand IAT paching and inject process with fake
GetVolumInformation stub..
But what is virtual Drive?i searched a lot but i dont get any good information,is virtual CD drive is creating with our own
file format?or worng?is there any good links in the web?
hirosh

GeneralRe: Sounds easy...memberBrian V Shifrin2 Jan '02 - 7:56 

>But what is virtual Drive?i searched a lot but i dont get any
>good information,is virtual CD drive is creating with our own
>file format?or worng?is there any good links in the web?
 

Company web page
http://www.farstone.com/home/en/html/products.htm
 
Reviews
http://sbdirect.hypermart.net/Bonus/Vdrive.htm
http://sbdirect.hypermart.net/Bonus/virtual_review.htm
 
http://r-troops.com/awpage/aw/bk/1.shtml
 

http://www.pctv.co.yu/download/virtualdrive.htm

GeneralBad News...memberAndy Metcalfe31 Dec '01 - 7:49 
Schemes like this are, to my mind, bad news. There are just too many ways in which the user can be inconvenienced by them. IMHO requiring the user to have the installation media to hand is pretty ridiculous these days. Suspicious | :suss:
 
For one thing, the user might want to use the CD drive for something else while running your app, and preventing them from doing so will just cause resentment which ultimately reflects on you - no matter how good your product.
 
For another, the machine it's running on may not have a CD drive (some laptops for example) - the software may be installed from a networked CD on another machine (possibly via a UNC path without a drive letter being mapped).
 
Software based schemes always seem to me to be instrusive, and can require a lot of support by the vendor (if you've ever had to try to get licence keys for Rational Rose you'll know what I mean...).
 
Depending on the retail cost of your app, one avenue you could explore is the use of a hardware key (we use Deskey DK2 dongles, but HASP are supposed to be pretty good too).
 
That way you don't have to worry about which PCs the software is installed upon, since only those fitted with keys will be fully functional....and if a key is stolen, the next version of the software can be programmed to kill it on sight. Cool | :cool:
 
With a bit of extra work, a PC with software but no key becomes a "demo copy" that you can give away freely to promote awareness of your product.
 
Good luck!
 
Andy Metcalfe - Sonardyne International Ltd

Trouble with resource IDs? Try the Resource ID Organiser Add-In for Visual C++ 5.0/6.0

"I'm just another 'S' bend in the internet. A ton of stuff goes through my system, and some of the hairer, stickier and lumpier stuff sticks."
- Chris Maunder (I just couldn't let that one past Wink | ;) )
GeneralRe: Bad News...memberChristian Graus1 Jan '02 - 15:06 
Andy Metcalfe wrote:
With a bit of extra work, a PC with software but no key becomes a "demo copy" that you can give away freely to promote awareness of your product.
 
I'm always against this, unless all the vital code is actually *in* the dongle. Otherwise, you're just shipping a full version waiting for someone to crack it.
 


 
Christian
 
After all, there's nothing wrong with an elite as long as I'm allowed to be part of it!! - Mike Burston Oct 23, 2001
 
Sonork ID 100.10002:MeanManOz
I live in Bob's HungOut now

GeneralRe: Bad News...memberAndy Metcalfe1 Jan '02 - 21:46 
Christian Graus wrote:
I'm always against this, unless all the vital code is actually *in* the dongle. Otherwise, you're just shipping a full version waiting for someone to crack it.
 
This is also true, although it can be mitigated to some extent by using private memory and through encryption within the key.
 
As ever, it's a judgement call. Smile | :)
 
Andy Metcalfe - Sonardyne International Ltd

Trouble with resource IDs? Try the Resource ID Organiser Add-In for Visual C++ 5.0/6.0

"I'm just another 'S' bend in the internet. A ton of stuff goes through my system, and some of the hairer, stickier and lumpier stuff sticks."
- Chris Maunder (I just couldn't let that one past Wink | ;) )
GeneralProblem with VIRTUAL CDROMmemberWizard_0131 Dec '01 - 6:39 
Many people have programm as Virtual Drive ... ( Mad | :mad: ). Its problemm. Do you know, how to detect it ???
 
Wizzzziii
GeneralRe: Problem with VIRTUAL CDROMmemberhirosh31 Dec '01 - 6:52 
no idea yarr
QuestionWhat about two CD-drivesmemberAnonymousw30 Dec '01 - 2:01 
If there are two or more CD-drives, your prog would only check No.1. Dead | X|
What about the others?
 
some reader
AnswerRe: What about two CD-drivesmemberhirosh31 Dec '01 - 6:54 
to achive this
this program can be easly modify
GeneralSolution:memberGilad Novik30 Dec '01 - 1:13 
Create a free software.
 

Open source for the masses !
GeneralRe: Solution:memberpeterchen2 Jan '02 - 9:14 
>> Create a free software.
...and live from "support and service"
sounds like a disguised subscription model to me.

GeneralJust a few remarks...memberNemanja Trifunovic27 Dec '01 - 17:24 
Since I had a chance to make some anty-piracy code, here are some suggestions:
 
1. Don't expect too much. No matter how good your protection schema is, there are hackers who can crack it. The whole point is to stop not-so-advanced hackers and/or users to illegaly use our programs.
 
2. Puting the CD volume number in registry is a little bit naive. What I usually do is write this information in a middle of a file that I call "MSVSYSCRT72.DLL" or something like that. Not many people would dare to change/delete such a file.
 
3. Checking for the presence of CD once a second is a waste of time and resources. Much better idea is to make use of some data on CD during runtime. If you don't want to do that it is quite enough to check each time the program starts.
 
4. Use of different crypto techniques may improve your protection schema.
 
I vote pro drink Beer | [beer]
GeneralRe: Just a few remarks...memberhirosh27 Dec '01 - 22:42 
i know good hackers can crack anythink...
yes,the correct method is to put serial number of CD in a file
i think serial number of CD is cashed ,so checking serial number is
better than checking any files in the CD.
yes there is no need of checking CD in each second it can be redused ..
hee is it possible to make 2 CD's with same serial number?
i dont know much about this
I vote for hack
GeneralRe: Just a few remarks...memberProtoform X28 Dec '01 - 13:41 
This isn't a good idea since you're relying on the fact that the user doesn't know that you're storing the serial number somewhere. When it comes to cracking and encryption, try to not rely on that. This is quite easy to crack actually, even if you store the serial number in the middle of a file. You can just find the serial of the original and do a diff on the file, and then you can change the serial to whatever you want. There's two problems w/ storing the serial in a dll. First, if the dll is COFF, you can do a LoadLibrary, find the entry points and do all the pretty stuff. If it isn't COFF (rather trivial to determine if it is or isn't), just do a dump. Even if you choose encrypt it, it's pretty trivial stop the check block from ever running. That's why ms and rational's got all these extra call-them-up stuffs... and even then, a hacker has his/her way.
GeneralRe: Just a REAL few remarks...memberJoJoDaCaraKar!28 Dec '01 - 23:21 
Corrections please:
 
Hackers Hack!
Crackers Crack!
 
Hackers Do Not Crack! Smile | :)
 

 
JoJoDaCaraKar! Big Grin | :-D
GeneralRe: Just a REAL few remarks...memberProtoform X2 Jan '02 - 14:51 
What do you call those you hack rom? crackers? lol ... all the same
GeneralRe: Just a few remarks...sussAnonymous28 Oct '02 - 4:03 
I couldn't agree more. However, I do not believe in 'free' software. IMHO, there should be a separation between 'free' software and 'open source' software. In certain cases, the second option might be the only way to create stable software ... On the other hand: if anyone is allowed to see the sourcecode of your application, what about your intellectual property rights ???
Creating copy protections on CD's is overruled. Anything they create gets cracked before final release. I think (network)licensing schemes (as FlexLM) are the future. If you use public key encryption on your licensing files, it is very difficult to hack these. Also: NEVER store data straight into the registry of into a file: use hashvalues if the data should only be compared, or PKE otherwise.
 
Breezer

General General    News News    Suggestion Suggestion    Question Question    Bug Bug    Answer Answer    Joke Joke    Rant Rant    Admin Admin   

Permalink | Advertise | Privacy | Mobile
Web02 | 2.6.130516.1 | Last Updated 27 Dec 2001
Article Copyright 2001 by H. Joseph
Everything else Copyright © CodeProject, 1999-2013
Terms of Use
Layout: fixed | fluid