How to protect data in executable file?

13 May 2005 3:52 PM

SpIcH

Hi All,

   This is all about protecting my data in Executable file.

   I have developed a program in Visual Basic .NET 2002. I have many
questions in mind... please help me to complete my project.

   1. I have very much data to be incorporated into the executable file. I
have to add much data into my developed program into 2 Combo Boxes and 1
List Box control. For that i have created an xml element with all of the
data i required. The program was running nice. But when i accidentally
opened that file into notepad, I shocked. I was able to see everything what
i have created in the xml element and it contains all passwords. please help
me how can i solve my problem?

   2. In the same time i was able to see all the functions and sub routine
names i have used in my code. Its another shock for me. please help me how
to protect these names from the people.

   3. What is the best way to incorporate large data into an executable
file. I can not create either xml file or mdb like that. because there is
possiblity that people can get that xml file and get all the data. I
literally want to protect my data completely as it contains many passwords
and usernames.

   4. One of my friend told that there exists some software like softice
which will debug everything in executable file and gets the code. is this
true. if yes what happens to my program? is it can be cracked or can be
reproduced? please help me a way to protect my program and code from the
thefts.

   5. I am running another executable file from my program. in the
background i am giving the filename with password using shell function. is
there is any chance for the people to find out what is passing to the
executable file? if yes, what is the right way to start a program by sending
the password to that file, but to stop the theft.

   Please help me in the above problems.

   waiting for the replies.

   With Regards

13 May 2005 9:52 PM

Yunus Emre ALPÖZEN [MCAD.NET]

1. Take a look at System.Security.Cryptography namespace. Add a hradcoded
key and use an encryption to store data in an XML. Or u can serialize all
your data(an arraylist or something like this) in a file.

2. Do u heard obfuscation ?

3. Use an encryption algoritm

4. try to use dotfuscator

5. Just use call context. Every thread has a call context Implement your own
call context and define your parameters as properties. And set them in
calling application and get them in called application.

--

Thanks,
Yunus Emre ALPÖZEN
BSc, MCAD.NET

Show quoteHide quote

"SpIcH" <vang***@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:OjrmWP9VFHA.584@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> Hi All,
>
>   This is all about protecting my data in Executable file.
>
>   I have developed a program in Visual Basic .NET 2002. I have many
> questions in mind... please help me to complete my project.
>
>   1. I have very much data to be incorporated into the executable file. I
> have to add much data into my developed program into 2 Combo Boxes and 1
> List Box control. For that i have created an xml element with all of the
> data i required. The program was running nice. But when i accidentally
> opened that file into notepad, I shocked. I was able to see everything
> what
> i have created in the xml element and it contains all passwords. please
> help
> me how can i solve my problem?
>
>   2. In the same time i was able to see all the functions and sub routine
> names i have used in my code. Its another shock for me. please help me how
> to protect these names from the people.
>
>   3. What is the best way to incorporate large data into an executable
> file. I can not create either xml file or mdb like that. because there is
> possiblity that people can get that xml file and get all the data. I
> literally want to protect my data completely as it contains many passwords
> and usernames.
>
>   4. One of my friend told that there exists some software like softice
> which will debug everything in executable file and gets the code. is this
> true. if yes what happens to my program? is it can be cracked or can be
> reproduced? please help me a way to protect my program and code from the
> thefts.
>
>   5. I am running another executable file from my program. in the
> background i am giving the filename with password using shell function. is
> there is any chance for the people to find out what is passing to the
> executable file? if yes, what is the right way to start a program by
> sending
> the password to that file, but to stop the theft.
>
>   Please help me in the above problems.
>
>   waiting for the replies.
>
>   With Regards
>
>
>

14 May 2005 8:05 AM

Valery Pryamikov

Hi,
You can't hide data inside your executable. That's just it. You can
obfuscate details of your algorithm, but you can never hide data inside your
executable. That even has formal mathematical prove.

Anyway, you can check a couple of my blog posts about Obfuscation and
Program Licensing here:
http://www.harper.no/valery/PermaLink,guid,24c827f1-50a9-4bd5-82fa-4af09f81e849.aspx
http://www.harper.no/valery/PermaLink,guid,0f90cf89-2689-4b7f-8d50-84c964795f3e.aspx

-Valery.
http://www.harper.no/valery

Show quoteHide quote

"SpIcH" <vang***@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:OjrmWP9VFHA.584@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> Hi All,
>
>   This is all about protecting my data in Executable file.
>
>   I have developed a program in Visual Basic .NET 2002. I have many
> questions in mind... please help me to complete my project.
>
>   1. I have very much data to be incorporated into the executable file. I
> have to add much data into my developed program into 2 Combo Boxes and 1
> List Box control. For that i have created an xml element with all of the
> data i required. The program was running nice. But when i accidentally
> opened that file into notepad, I shocked. I was able to see everything
> what
> i have created in the xml element and it contains all passwords. please
> help
> me how can i solve my problem?
>
>   2. In the same time i was able to see all the functions and sub routine
> names i have used in my code. Its another shock for me. please help me how
> to protect these names from the people.
>
>   3. What is the best way to incorporate large data into an executable
> file. I can not create either xml file or mdb like that. because there is
> possiblity that people can get that xml file and get all the data. I
> literally want to protect my data completely as it contains many passwords
> and usernames.
>
>   4. One of my friend told that there exists some software like softice
> which will debug everything in executable file and gets the code. is this
> true. if yes what happens to my program? is it can be cracked or can be
> reproduced? please help me a way to protect my program and code from the
> thefts.
>
>   5. I am running another executable file from my program. in the
> background i am giving the filename with password using shell function. is
> there is any chance for the people to find out what is passing to the
> executable file? if yes, what is the right way to start a program by
> sending
> the password to that file, but to stop the theft.
>
>   Please help me in the above problems.
>
>   waiting for the replies.
>
>   With Regards
>
>
>