软件破解、软件反编译及安全

Software Security methods

1. Fixed Serial Number: In this method the software will ask for a
   serial number on installation or during the 1st run. Serial number
   could be distributed easily. Indeed the serial number is just to
   inform the user this is none free software and he should bought it.
2. Activation Code: In this method the software will generate a machine
   id and required an activation code from the user which could be
   getting from the vendor. Cracking of the software may be performed
   by debugger or by partial decompiling.
3. Internet Activation: Same as activation code put the activation will
   run through internet. Cracking may be done by injecting wrong
   interties in host file to forward the activation page to local or
   wrong page, or even by a custom DNS forwarder
4. Dongle: the provider will provide a small hardware piece with could
   be detected by the software. The dongle will contains some info to
   be used for a special version or software. Cracking maybe done by
   hacking the communicating library between software and dangle.
5. Protected CD: The installation can be run only from the original
   protected CD which maybe protected by laser generated bad sectors or
   some invalid contents or writing data after CD end mark. Cracking
   maybe done by coping the CD using special program or by cracking
   installation process.
6. Flash USB memory: The software may use the physical number of the
   flash memory and compare it to database before run or write a part
   of the software code on none assigned area of the flash disk.
   Cracking may be done by hacking the software. After sell support:
   Some software provider provides a very good support so the buyer
   will not try to get cracked software.
7. Direct installing method: some provider will install the software by
   a developing company employee and no install application is
   distributed.

Decompiling

1. To decompile is to convert executable (ready-to-run) program code
   into some form of higher-level programming language.
2. The resulting code can be read by a human.
3. De-compilation is a type of reverse engineering that does the
   opposite of what a compiler does.
4. The tool that accomplishes this is called a de-compiler.
5. A similar tool, called a disassembler, translates object code into
   assembler language. De-compilation was first used in the 1960s to
   facilitate the migration of a program from one platform to another.
6. De-compilation is not always successful.
7. De-compilation is sometimes used unethically, to reproduce source
   code for reuse or adaptation without permission of the copyright
   holder.
8. Programs can be designed to be resistant to de-compilation through
   protective means such as obfuscation.