Expire After X Number of Program Starts

java.lang · 2006-06-12, 04:48 AM

Hi guys,

I have another problem that I have been proposed with, and that is working out how to have the application expire or simply stop working after a certain number of uses.

The main problem at the moment is that the program is CD-ROM based, cannot be installed and the user can't be expected to have an internet connection.

What I think is that an internet connection is required, and when the program starts, the hard drive serial is sent to a site, which searches the site for an existing serial, and if its not there, adds the serial to the database and reduces the number of uses by 1, and repeats this until number of uses remaining is 0.

Now, what could happen is the user could try another computer, and of course they would get a whole other 3 uses out of it.

Another option is the data is added to the registry or the temp folder, and every time the program runs, a counter is reduced, again, if they take it to another machine, they get 3 more uses. But this way no internet connection is required.

Is it possible to write an encrypted file to the temp location, which the application decrypts when starting, and decides to run or show a pop up screen before getting any further without this file being deleted when the program closes?

If so, do you agree that this is the best method to follow through with? Or, if you have a better method, would you be able to propose it?

Dan · 2006-06-12, 08:48 AM

You can indeed write an encrypted file, using a combination of the functions in the FileSys plugin, and the ssCore.Crypto functions. Relying on a file, though, may be problematic. What happens if the user deletes the file? The software may consider this a new installation, and start running again. This may be considered an acceptable risk, depending on how much effort you want to put into the protection mechanism.

There are also additional software and hardware solutions you may wish to consider, such as Digital River's SoftwarePassport or MAI's Key-Lok hardware keys. These are higher-end solutions to the whole protection problem. Depending on your business model and the value of your software, it may be worth considering the extra expense.

java.lang · 2006-06-13, 08:46 AM

Hi Dan,

Thanks for that reply of yours. I have downloaded the trial of SoftwarePassport and it looks like it can do for me what I want it to do. MAI's keylock also sounds good, I am yet to download it and evaluate it.

Cheers

2006-06-12, 04:48 AM	#1
java.lang Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 29	Expire After X Number of Program Starts Hi guys, I have another problem that I have been proposed with, and that is working out how to have the application expire or simply stop working after a certain number of uses. The main problem at the moment is that the program is CD-ROM based, cannot be installed and the user can't be expected to have an internet connection. What I think is that an internet connection is required, and when the program starts, the hard drive serial is sent to a site, which searches the site for an existing serial, and if its not there, adds the serial to the database and reduces the number of uses by 1, and repeats this until number of uses remaining is 0. Now, what could happen is the user could try another computer, and of course they would get a whole other 3 uses out of it. Another option is the data is added to the registry or the temp folder, and every time the program runs, a counter is reduced, again, if they take it to another machine, they get 3 more uses. But this way no internet connection is required. Is it possible to write an encrypted file to the temp location, which the application decrypts when starting, and decides to run or show a pop up screen before getting any further without this file being deleted when the program closes? If so, do you agree that this is the best method to follow through with? Or, if you have a better method, would you be able to propose it? __________________ Do as you would be done by...

2006-06-13, 08:46 AM	#3
java.lang Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 29	Hi Dan, Thanks for that reply of yours. I have downloaded the trial of SoftwarePassport and it looks like it can do for me what I want it to do. MAI's keylock also sounds good, I am yet to download it and evaluate it. Cheers __________________ Do as you would be done by...

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2006-06-12, 08:48 AM	#2
Dan Super Moderator Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ottawa Posts: 397	You can indeed write an encrypted file, using a combination of the functions in the FileSys plugin, and the ssCore.Crypto functions. Relying on a file, though, may be problematic. What happens if the user deletes the file? The software may consider this a new installation, and start running again. This may be considered an acceptable risk, depending on how much effort you want to put into the protection mechanism. There are also additional software and hardware solutions you may wish to consider, such as Digital River's SoftwarePassport or MAI's Key-Lok hardware keys. These are higher-end solutions to the whole protection problem. Depending on your business model and the value of your software, it may be worth considering the extra expense.