From the original SynthMaker forum (2004–2014), with its members’ names and dates.
CoreStyler ·
Im thinking about how to protect vst synth and fx with serial.
Im currently using installer software serial on install but i have an idea.
Is possible to include a list of Serial Keys into a schematic and allow only when the serial is entered?
For example i add to schematic 500 serials XXXX-XXX-XXXX-XXX and them are included.
We add a line where the serial must be entered.
VST save an output txt with the confirmation of the key "key is correspondig".
For example a protection can be done by using MAC adress and HD serial.
Txt validation is saved containing:
line 1: MAC adress
line 2: HD serial
Ok. Plugins recognized serial (listed in the schematic) and exported txt validator.
Now we need a find files and a text loader.. he load the validator and see if MAC Adress and HD serials is corresponding.
Plugin output as been unlocked (or perhaps noise generator for demo stopped).
Every loading of the vst search for validator txt and enable it only when is present.
Seems a good idea? can be done?
adamszabo ·
Its going to be cracked anyway so dont waste your time. Also thats not how serials work. I wouldnt include 500 serials in the synth, because the hackers could easily check them. Serials are generated through complicated algorithms and the reverse algorithm is inside the synth, and then it checks if the serial is correct.
CoreStyler ·
Yes. this was my suspect. Dll can be decompiled?
trogluddite ·
It has been pointed out before on the forum that SM's dll's are relatively easy to crack - as I understand it, the .dll is actually just a copy of the .osm file plus an 'embedded' version of SM (without the editing workspace/toolbox etc.) - that's why SM dll's are always so big - because of the embedded compiler. An experienced warez pirate who is good at SM can just replicate your .osm - so even encryption would not be very secure as the decrypt algorithm would be easy for them to reverse engineer.
Best bet is to emulate people like Cockos (Reaper programmers) - keep the price reasonable, offer excellent customer service/upgrades/patches/user support, and honest folks will give you some money. The dishonest ones aren't going to pay you even if your protection is good - they'll just go find someone else to rob, or take it as a 'challenge' and try extra hard to turn your work into warez.
CoreStyler ·
So also a serial key for the installer is for you a waste of time?
yes i know that also e-licenser, syncrosoft has been hacked.
Why not creating a php-osm licensing that connect to an existing mysql database and already registering users?
For example Joomla, Virtuemart component...
But i'm not a developer it's hard to do.
trogluddite ·
CoreStyler wrote: But i'm not a developer it's hard to do.
For me, this is the most important point. To make good protection takes much time, learning etc. etc. - and still the hackers might find a way. I want to use my time to make plugins and music.
But of course this is a very personal and emotive issue for people (see many previous threads), very different situation if your plugins make your money to eat and live - I wouldn't blame anyone for trying to protect themselves, I just believe that there is too much work for too little benefit.
CoreStyler wrote: Why not creating a php-osm licensing
My music machine is not on the internet! Using the net to register is fine - but if it is for every use of the software, then I need internet connection + AntiVirus/Firewall etc. all using CPU - also, maybe at a live gig there is no reliable internet connection. Maybe OK for some studio users, but I would never buy software that used php protection.
CoreStyler ·
i meant only serial validation trhough internet connection. after is not needed.
But is very complex.
The only one thing is that outsim will create a new module for serial. with a complex system that is difficult to reverse.
Protection for me is a serious thing.
Think trog louddite..
You create a new good synth.. you sell it for 40$. is not so much but every 100 sales are 4000$.
Not bad. 😍
You gained for 4000$ then a stupid guy add your installer on e-mule, torrent, fileshostings...
one year later total sales 2 = 80$ 😕 😕
Also if "serious people" will buy it earn will decrease. many people will try your plug downloading from interned without paying. your development stops, your plug remain warezed unselled soft and old.
trogluddite ·
Sorry, misunderstood you there about the php thing.
I work for a small company that makes software (and hardware), so yes, I understand the implications of piracy - we lose £1000's every year. I talked before only about my personal opinion re: SM. I agree with you in principle, but for me SM is part of my 'fun' life - so my plugins are for free. I have food, shelter, friendship (and SM!) - more $ is cool, but not if it makes more stress/unhappiness to get hold of it.
For SM to be used for 'professional' development, there are many things that people want in SM (64bit, touchscreens, Mac support etc.), and also ways of protection - truly, SM is my favourite software in all the world, but IMHO it is really for hobby/amateur/learning - for commercial plugins, I think the programmer must have total control, i.e. to use C++ etc.
MichaelBenjamin ·
any kind of protection that is done for the sole purpose of making more money is just pissing users off and thus pretty retarded.
however, if you see it as a sport to give the crackers some occupation and some fun and yourself some laughs when it doesnt get cracked right, why not - but not with anything exported by sm, that would be just silly. you also have to be very good with programming besides dsp, no sm land.
another case could be that you can implement some kind of "protection" in your sm synth, but nobody might be interested to crack it because its not even worth the time to run a batch over.
Jay ·
Yep! agreed! protect it and it will attract crackers! and if they crack it then it will attract ppl like me,one of the dirty thieving slimy warze down loaders out there! And i make no apologies for doing it. 😈
Hell, i used SM for two years before buying the Pro/Standard version! Cubase,Reason,Fl Studio Reaktor,Kontakt all came my way by pirate means before buying them!
And contrary to current beliefs, even if it is a piss poor half arsed attempt at a plugin and its protected then it will probably still get cracked by the ever unscrupulous Team Assign 😉 (Also Cracking Reaper is below the belt imho)
Apart from Sm Dll's containing the plugins OSM file, did any of you notice that extracting a FlowStone file gives you an OSM file? lol
Best Regards
Jay
CoreStyler ·
My installer was hacked by ASSiGN
So i'ts time to think on protection now.
Acrobat ·
this has been discussed so many times, I think a protection is always a good thing,
even when it is quite easy to defeat. I mean, I really don't care about money,
i's just fun to see how things go... 😉
Cyforce ·
But there is no way for protection.... Look at the big comapnies, which using really highend protection(compared with that synthmaker copy protection possibilies are like a woodstick in the stoneage^^) - and also her plugins gettng cracked, doesn`t matter if via response, usb, hardware-lok etc etc etc.... Also single generated versions of the software, like processing during buying through an automatic system a unique version of the product which included the infos of the buyers works also not perfect, because crackers, which can crack, to into the programm code, exchange the infos etc etc etc....
All in all - there is no way to protect, except 2 ways....
fast reaction(hoster,laywer if a trace is available) or build hardware 😉
djbrynte ·
I will help you with mad adress thingy.
Acrobat ·
I think it is anyway good to arm a protection, even if it is not perfect, that's my point,
I have no another way to explain this position as english is not my first language...
I hope someone understands my point of view... 😉
CoreStyler ·
Yeah i understand.
But without protection you'll find your vst in 2 days everywhere... Not warez sites but communities, sites, portals..
With protection maybe in 2 months if is requested 😊
Cyforce ·
CoreStyler wrote: Yeah i understand.
But without protection you'll find your vst in 2 days everywhere... Not warez sites but communities, sites, portals..
With protection maybe in 2 months if is requested 😊
False.......
Only because you release something it didn`t mean automaticly that is in the next days on the www...
Don`t see it on such an overdriven way/point of view.
Some plugins are also a year after release not on the "bad www"...
CoreStyler ·
yes mean. Your things could be true related to a freeware synth.
When is commercial is another thing.. Im also selling samples, soundbanks.. They dont requires any kind of protection because hey can't have this kind of stuff.
I also see shared my Rp predator hardstyle soundbank.
For free stuff there is no reason to share.
Jay ·
Lol
Also you find software/plugins with no protection being left alone! Why is that do you think?
I already know the answer! do any of you? and its nothing to do with the app being rubbish (Team assign will release it even if its crap)
Best Regards
CoreStyler ·
i agree with you. But imagine for who search for cracked software, if they dont need to crack anyhing.
Today i buy your vst... Then make torrent, forum posts.... Etc
so i dont need to know anything about cracking and i can be a releaser.
Example. Php scripts, cms extensions a likely stuff. All, i ensure, commercial php scripts are shared! The only php scripts that you not find on warez forums are them encoded with ioncube.
All the callouts, ads based are shared.. Also encoded with zend or ironcube.
The only protection on them is ioncube.
Ioncube can be decoded but is hard. So you'll find no scripts encoded with it
Acrobat ·
CoreStyler wrote: Yeah i understand.
But without protection you'll find your vst in 2 days everywhere... Not warez sites but communities, sites, portals..
With protection maybe in 2 months if is requested 😊
There's a huge amount of threads on this Forum regarding diffusion, cracking, DLL protection, etc etc: what emerged many times (and it is quite counter-intuitive) is that who buy software is not the same people that use cracked software.
They maybe a lot less in numbers, sure yes, but they are usually simply different people in most cases. That will change your mind about the "problem".
In fact, I see no "problem" at all in software protection, you just have to pick the best ever written for SM and try to implement it in the correct way. The rest is up to crackers, I mean, you shouldn't care too much, it's not your business at all. 🙂
gluon ·
I know, this is an old post.
But I wanted to give my point of view.
I'm a musician but an engineer making plugin for myself too.
My fans (yes, I have several ones) wants to buy my plugins.
I'm sure some could spread it without any questions to me, but as someone said here, these aren't the real fans and my fans support me.
I'm convinced about that.
I mean nobody can steal your personality, your sound, your manner to make your audio processing because it is only you.
It drives to be very independant, to break the line, I know that and it is not easy
but it is the key, fmho.
So Let's make the best plugins, the very singular ones.
Let's put our energy in that and don't waste our time in building walls we couldn't maintain in a no mercy war 🙂
just my 2 cents
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