Vishal Gupta, on Nov 26 2007, 04:16, said:

Heh, I would bet you CANNOT do that to my programs, (only 3, I have others online, but these ought to do as examples), here:

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APK REGISTRY CLEANING ENGINE 2002++ SR-7:
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http://www1.techpowerup.com//downloads/389...ooglehappy.html

http://www.techpowerup.com//downloads/389/...ooglehappy.html

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OR, this "Matrix ScreenSaver" I wrote years ago in 1999:

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APK MATRIX SCREENSAVER:
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http://www1.techpowerup.com//downloads/390...creenSaver.html

http://www.techpowerup.com//downloads/390/...creenSaver.html

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OR, to this one I just recently released (for Dr. Who fans worldwide)

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APK DOCTOR WHO SCREENSAVER 2008++:
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http://www.drwhodail...p?showtopic=386

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Why & how does it work? Well - Because every app I have ever written & put out online for "general public consumption/usage" is a "compressed executable" (for security purposes) first of all...

(& when you try to do alterations to them, by using ResHacker (or, tools like it)? You'd first try to do it w/ out uncompressing them... this will fail, & IF you uncompress them?? It WILL FAIL AGAIN - the apps check themselves vs. alteration in a built-in rudimentary self-check/self-test vs. viral infection mainly, so they do not help "spread the disease" so-to-speak)

However - in my apps, You can @ most, ONLY get to the "version strings" (which I allow viewing & alteration of via right-click on a program & using the PROPERTIES popup menu item that appears)... & I COULD STOP THAT as well, but I don't because then it would not show any version info. @ all were I to protect vs. that...

STILL, as far as the interface, & altering ANY of those 3 programs of mine above, by using reshacker?

Well, try it & see...

All 3 programs above (& any others I have put out in freeware since 2002, but not ones I have done prior to that) will reject such changes, & refuse to run (after signalling you of this alteration occurring)... Simply because programs like ResHack alter the size &/or CRC-32 of the executables!

(So do binary infecting viruses as well - the change you will create signals possible corruption, tampering, OR even virus infection of my apps - to which they immediately notify you, & shut themselves down (to help stop virus infections &/or those who alter programs as you are noting a way to do this)).

This technique? It works... against:

• Virusal infections of programs vs. "std. oldschool" binary infecting viruses (most importantly, helping to help STOP from spreading them)

• Disassembly/code theft/hacking of my work by others

• Programmatic corruptions (which happens sometimes, due to filesystem errors even)

Proof?

At last years' "CODING FOR DEFCON" (security oriented competition in coding practices)? This went over pretty well, & here is some 'proof to that effect':

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APK INTERNAL PROGRAM PROTECTION METHOD (FILESIZE &/or CRC32 CHECKING) FOR BUILT-IN RUDIMENTRY ANTIVIRUS/CORRUPTION/ANTIHACK SELF-PROTECTION FOR APPS (MODDED UP @ "CODE AUDITING FOR DEFCON" POST @ SLASHDOT (famous geek website)):

http://it.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=158...mp;cid=13257227

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Where this "technique" was "modded up" as technically interesting, which I suppose is the equivalent of "star ratings" on most other forums...

(& that occurred @ a forums section where the very famous in this field "hang out" no less, such as John Carmack of IDSoftware no less, as 1 example thereof)

This may sound a bit weird, but, being modded up there is sort of an "honor" imo, because after 15++ yrs. online as a professional coder in this field? I think they truly have the MOST talented folks technically in 1 spot there is online (just my opinion though).

APK

P.S.=> Truth be told? Well, IF EVERY APPLICATION DID THIS (very simple idea too)? We'd have a LOT LESS viruses of the executable/binary infecting type, period... apk

This post has been edited by APK: 09 May 2008 - 14:45