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Markers and .NET

Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:30 pm
by Svennebanan
Hi,

First, thanks for a great product!
My question is if you plan to make markers work with .NET (C# and VB) applications if it's possible (it should be :D )?
In my opinion they are of great importance with the whole packade and a big loss of security and functionality if not working.

Re: Markers and .NET

Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:48 am
by Enigma
Hi Svennebanan, thanks you for the respect :)

Back to your question, it is correct, markers can't be used in .NET applications. For .NET I always recommend to combine multiple protection features.

For example:
- you can emulate working of RegCrypt markers. There is Enigma API function EP_RegKeyInformation, it returns also an array of the sections that current registration key unlocks. Depending on the result of this function and sections array, you can run specific functionality
- another advice, more difficult to implement. You can carry some functionality from .NET managed code, to external unmanaged DLL, and you can use any markers inside this DLL. This dll should be protected with the same project file as a main executable.
- it is a good recommendation if you divide your software on two versions - DEMO (with restricted functionality) and FULL (full functional, but it can run only if you have valid registration key), same scheme is made for Enigma Protector. FULL version should be protected with the option Registration Features - Common - Encrypt with Encryption Constant. This will mean that code of application will be encrypted with the special constant which exists only in registration key. In case your full version will be leaked, nobody will be able to run (and crack it) without valid registration key.
- very good advice - use more different Enigma API fucntions for most integration of protection inside application. For example, some strings you may carry out from application and place into protection using Protection Features - Protected Strings. If cracker will try to bypass protection, executable will not work due to absent of protected strings and protection itself.
- then also try a Virtual Box feature - very interesting and I hope you can find it useful.

Re: Markers and .NET

Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 10:09 pm
by Svennebanan
Thanks for the reply and advices.

Is there something special in .NET framework that prohibits using the markers functionality?

Re: Markers and .NET

Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 7:49 am
by Enigma
Svennebanan wrote:Is there something special in .NET framework that prohibits using the markers functionality?
Yes, sure, there is everything specific. .NET application, unlike a usual unmanaged exe, does not contain assembler code. Instead, it contains PCODE that is being running under .NET virtual processor (let me name it so).

Markers, in Enigma Protector, are just macros of inline assembler routines. So if .NET does not contain assembler code, it is impossible to add it into .NET application.