I have a generalized question. What is some ideas and general algorithms on protecting software from being installed on multiple machines and stolen.... I realize it's very tough to protect, but is there some techniques that will work for the most part?
The most secure is the Online registration. For example for each installation the user need to log on your server with the code getit from the CD ( or media in general ) and there after getting minimal info about user generate a code for it. and with this code just register it's software. Regards
Make use of online registration and strict license key which ties in with the server's hdisk, cpu id, amount of RAM, ip address and any hardware you could think off. Everytime software is run, called back HQ to verify and if hardware is change, stop running and have the user regenerate the license key. Make the process as irritating as posible to deter free loaders.