I have seen some of this stuff on the internet, I am talking about registered versions of vBulletin and other popular software. I am wondering what happens to the people that use this software, or do the makers of the software take a loss here? How can they tell if someone is even using one of these versions or if they actually bought it? Just wondering because maybe it would be interesting to see how many sites out there use such software.
There should be an online activation code or something. For eg Cpanel etc, they have an online checking, if you are using pirated copy, your Cpanel can't start, not sure about Vbulletin though.
Lots of Nulled scripts around, including vBulletin that does not require activation etc, you just download it, install and run, no need to pay for it. But, for this great deal you lose official support, future upgrades, bug fixes, and what is most important, you never know that your "free" copy of vBulletin might include malicious code that will eventually harm your website and leave you with nothing.
Bingo. There are a few different 'nulling' outfits out there who remove the protection from VB and other products and then offer it for free. its all good and well but using it is stealing it, and for smaller companies this can really end their business I know a friend who designed and built a great and very worthy application, hackers got onto it, broke the protection, and started offering it on the web for zero. He still made good sales tho as most people are honest and the thieves would not have bought it in the first place unless they had NO other options. The next time around he encoded it with Zend....as I have with some past apps. End game for the nullers Zend Encoding = The Win back on topic though. the nullers can leave back doors in your forum so they can access it anytime, hack your server, etc not to mention you get Zero support,, Zero bugfixes.. and if your forum takes off you will likely not be able to use the upgrade script if you BUY the real product due to yours being hacked about...meaning you have a big big problem to go legit and get updates and fixes.
One thing to add, software development costs money, tons of money to develop an application and support it through updates and further development. Using pirated software is akin to stealing from these companies. Even big companies like Microsoft are affected, you can imagine the impact on small software company. Stealing a radio is stealing, pirating a software is also stealing.
yeah it helps but it isnt the win as the other user stated thats what my commen was based on not that zend is useless
Yes, it helps against the coder/cracker that isn't determined. Anyone who is determined enough with enough skills or money can find a way to decompile a zend encoded script.
Most arcades have there software registered to one domain only so they know if its reported to be used elsewhere. Some other software may use similar method.
Right, but when a script is nulled, the callback to the developer's server is removed, so the company that made the script never finds out that anyone is using their software except the original purchaser. Get it?
i think the best copy protection is none, instead of pissing of your customers with hoops why not do hidden watermarking. maybe add an id automatically to an images exif data when a user downloads your program. then the developer can now not only trace back to the leak but also check installs to make sure there id is correct.
I think Cpanel and Directadmin had quite good copy protection, if you use on an unauthorized IP it will be disabled, this does not inconvenience genuine users and protect their software very well.
I think that for the most part, a lot of people will pay for the extra support, bug fixes, updates etc. However this is always going to be an ongoing battle. Better protection will at least assist in deterring some of the wannabee hackers.
Cpanel and Directadmin, together with most of their billing softwares like WHMCS can't be NUlled, the protection is like THIS high *points to my head * and latest versions can't be NULLED. Otherwise there isn't any harm for getting NULLED scripts IMO. You should only get it from big nuller like DGT or ScriptMafia to make sure there isn't any malicious code in it. Also I prefer NO support and paying 20$ somethimes to let someone fix an error and updated Ill do them manually ^^ , or just get the Nulled version of them. Beats the $$$ of the license But still if you run a legal forum and it's liek your part-time job I encourage people to buy the script...
Right but how would you find the websites running your code if they've been nulled, and the callback to your server has been removed, and you are not notified that they're being installed?
"Just wondering because maybe it would be interesting to see how many sites out there use such software." lol ooh my good lol Sorry I just could help my self, you just wanted to know eeh I remember when I was younger and asked my doctor of a sexual question telling him, it was my "friend" who wanted to know, lol So nowadays its "Im just wondering..." please... Tell your "friend" that its not a good idea to use these unauthorized software. RectangleMan is right anything can be cracked. But even if there were no way the developers could find you, its not the right thing to do, period. Just because its on the net and easy to find, does not make it right! Best regards...
Don't worry. Most softwares that people buy online are under-utilised, some not even touched. Imagine getting it for FREE? Same ol same ol. The most important thing when getting a software is to use it and apply it to your business... That being said, stealing or not, the software companies usually don't lose money if it's a darn good product and they offer support and lifetime updates. That's the catch.
Sorry, but licensing software is pointless. Producers of software should encode hidden features which,for example, ping their server, so they are notified that user is using the software. Our company bought Actinic e-commerce software, I've seen it pass the rounds on numerous sites with links to rapidshare and the like,all downloading and installing it for free. Why did we pay £1000 for the software, plus an extra £400 for a custom theme? Damn good question if you ask me. Where there's a will, there's a way. Unfortunately the majority of these software hackers don't actually put their skills to good use, for example, creating software which is less likely to be cracked. But, I suppose, if you can make it into digital media, you'll never keep it from being distributed freely online. Anti-Virus software is by far the biggest affected by software cracking and key generators. I could possibly name 1 in a 100 people who use legitimate anti virus software. I don't. I don't even use Anti Virus software, I just stay away from anything malicious and end up reformatting every month