How to open encrypted DLL of .Net?

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Is there a way to open and view code of an encrypted DLL of .Net? Does it require any software to open this, if so, could you please mention some of them?

Posted 2-Dec-14 22:44pm

thesarath

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CPallini · Answer 1 · 2014-12-02T22:49:00

Solution 1

In order to view the plain content of an encrypted file you have first to decrypt it, of course.
On the decrypted DLL code you might then use the ildasm tool[^] to see the IL code.

Posted 2-Dec-14 22:49pm

CPallini

OriginalGriff · Answer 2 · 2014-12-02T22:52:00

If a DLL is "properly" encrypted - as in the file has been passed through DES or similar encryption with a proper key - you cannot read the contents except with the appropriate key. That is the whole idea of encryption!

But that is extremely rare - because it is very difficult to use the file legitimately. I've never seen a case.
Most DLL's are not protected by encryption - they are obfuscated instead, which is a process of making the code harder to read while still being fully executable. These can be viewed, but the code may not be easy to follow.

Either way, trying to view the code is almost certainly in breach of copyright - or it wouldn't be protected in the first place - so we probably wouldn't help you if we could!

Why are you trying to do this?