Hi, i have developed a template website for another web development company. I have agreed with the other web development company that i will set up and customize the template for each customer that signs up to the template deal and then i will get paid a small fee. I am worried that the other web development could just copy the template when it is live on one of there servers and then they would not need me to work with them anymore... Is there any security that i can build in here... i was thinking that i could keep some php files on my server and just reference back to them but i don't think all servers allow you to reference to files externally... any other ideas, thanks in advance...
There's really nothing that works without installing zend encoder or ioncube or another similar program. The problem with the remote validation solution that you are suggesting is that it opens huge holes in security and opens huge holes in liability. Let's say your server that the template calls for validation gets hacked. Most likely you would have to include some actual php code to decrypt or allow their template to process. This would allow the hacker to essentially take over the template's website. If their site gets hacked through your validation system, I can guarantee they are going after you for it. Secondly, if your validation server is simply unavailable for some reason and the template users website is unable to operate because of it, you may be liable for lost income or punitive damages since your server was required for the proper operation of the template. The real security solution would be to use zend encoder or ioncube. However, these place a huge burden on the site owner and the person trying to install the template. They have no access to any of the code, cannot edit it in any way. It also may not be possible to use an encoder on just a template without the entire application being encoded as well. Unless you're talking about some serious money and a very large contract, I can't see this being worth the effort. I would make sure you have a solid contract with the other dev company. Make sure there are repercussions and you have a mechanism of relief if they steal your template or other proprietary code.