How to protect my data in Executable file?

  • Thread starter Thread starter SpIcH
  • Start date Start date
S

SpIcH

Hi All,

This is all about protecting my data in Executable file.

I have developed a program in Visual Basic .NET 2002. I have many
questions in mind... please help me to complete my project.

1. I have very much data to be incorporated into the executable file. I
have to add much data into my developed program into 2 Combo Boxes and 1
List Box control. For that i have created an xml element with all of the
data i required. The program was running nice. But when i accidentally
opened that file into notepad, I shocked. I was able to see everything what
i have created in the xml element and it contains all passwords. please help
me how can i solve my problem?

2. In the same time i was able to see all the functions and sub routine
names i have used in my code. Its another shock for me. please help me how
to protect these names from the people.

3. What is the best way to incorporate large data into an executable
file. I can not create either xml file or mdb like that. because there is
possiblity that people can get that xml file and get all the data. I
literally want to protect my data completely as it contains many passwords
and usernames.

4. One of my friend told that there exists some software like softice
which will debug everything in executable file and gets the code. is this
true. if yes what happens to my program? is it can be cracked or can be
reproduced? please help me a way to protect my program and code from the
thefts.

5. I am running another executable file from my program. in the
background i am giving the filename with password using shell function. is
there is any chance for the people to find out what is passing to the
executable file? if yes, what is the right way to start a program by sending
the password to that file, but to stop the theft.

Please help me in the above problems.

waiting for the replies.

With Regards
 
SpIcH said:
Hi All,

This is all about protecting my data in Executable file.

I have developed a program in Visual Basic .NET 2002. I have many
questions in mind... please help me to complete my project.

1. I have very much data to be incorporated into the executable file. I
have to add much data into my developed program into 2 Combo Boxes and 1
List Box control. For that i have created an xml element with all of the
data i required. The program was running nice. But when i accidentally
opened that file into notepad, I shocked. I was able to see everything
what i have created in the xml element and it contains all passwords.
please help me how can i solve my problem?

2. In the same time i was able to see all the functions and sub routine
names i have used in my code. Its another shock for me. please help me how
to protect these names from the people.

3. What is the best way to incorporate large data into an executable
file. I can not create either xml file or mdb like that. because there is
possiblity that people can get that xml file and get all the data. I
literally want to protect my data completely as it contains many passwords
and usernames.

4. One of my friend told that there exists some software like softice
which will debug everything in executable file and gets the code. is this
true. if yes what happens to my program? is it can be cracked or can be
reproduced? please help me a way to protect my program and code from the
thefts.

5. I am running another executable file from my program. in the
background i am giving the filename with password using shell function. is
there is any chance for the people to find out what is passing to the
executable file? if yes, what is the right way to start a program by
sending the password to that file, but to stop the theft.

Please help me in the above problems.

waiting for the replies.

With Regards
Click to expand...
Search on "Cryptography" in your Visual Studio MSDN help. You'll find dozens
of articles that address your concern.
 
I have some ideas for you.
1st. You can use Cryptography to encryp your data inside you xml file, I
think you have to look about this.
2nd. Make shure to change from debug to release when you compile your finaly
exe file.

You also have to think about, that:
There are not a secure system, always can be hacked if somebody can access
to it, "BUT" the most important thing is:
For a system be hacked 2 thing need to be combined:
1st. One people with the ability to do it.
2nd. The intention to do it, it mind, have this guy time to spend on it?

If I have the knowledge to decrypt an algorithm and/or decompile an
executable program or intercept dinamic call between thread running on
memory, hey!!!! I better spend my time trying to hack a bank and make a lot
of money with that.

You don't think so??????

Of course you have to make your program as secure as posible....
 
The application blocks have a block for authentication, authorization, and
encryption. I would suggest that you can look at that code to get some ideas
and techniques for leveraging authentication without storing passwords.
Also, you should consider encrypting the data in the file (as others have
suggested) and only decrypting the data into memory.

--
--- Nick Malik [Microsoft]
MCSD, CFPS, Certified Scrummaster
http://blogs.msdn.com/nickmalik

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this forum are my own, and not
representative of my employer.
I do not answer questions on behalf of my employer. I'm just a
programmer helping programmers.
 
Back
Top