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Ask HN: We found a cracked version of our software on the web, now what?

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Re: Ask HN: We found a cracked version of our software on the web, now what?

#131

Post by dpedu »

kobalsky wrote: post #88
bitexploder wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Even be cheeky. Detect when the software is cracked (signature/binary hash changed) and message the user “we see your version is corrupt or cracked, you may want to reinstall. If you are using this software without paying for it ”. You can invest some time in obfuscation and more frequent releases, but I would not spend a lot of effort on it.

am I the only one that thinks that the remote possibility of showing this message to a legit customer by mistake outweights any benefit it could bring? you are not gonna guilt anyone into not pirating and if the message blocks or is annoying, crackers are gonna circumvent it just like they did the license check.

I think the inclusion of 'corrupt' gives legitimate users a mental excuse from this problem.

Re: Ask HN: We found a cracked version of our software on the web, now what?

#132

Post by frankzander »

PreInternet01 wrote: post #29

Congratulations! Having cracked versions out there indicates that your software is both useful and notable, which is a point where many developers would love to arrive at, maybe, one day. As to what to do about it, there are two basic tracks, neither of which is incompatible with the other: 1. The legal route: notifying distribution sites that they're hosting content in violation of copyright law, requesting takedown…

Best is 2. because it's human and fully open and clear in communication and also sane because you acknowledge that every other step is a fight against windmills and swimming against the stream. Using what has been given to you is the best thing, the smartest thing and with that you show, that you outsmart the situation and also respect the users (payed and unpayed)

Re: Ask HN: We found a cracked version of our software on the web, now what?

#133

Post by swframe2 »

I was wondering about a few options.

1) Publish your own cracked version that has a survey that allows you to determine who is using the cracked version. Use the survey to figure out if it make sense to create a special version (lower price and few features) or special pricing for those users (see #3 below).

2) Move some key logic to a server so a cracked version would need to use your server for some part of an important feature.

3) Consider a subscription funded version of your product. If a user only needs your tool for one week and will not use it again for months, then it would allow them to pay a fraction of the purchase price.

Re: Ask HN: We found a cracked version of our software on the web, now what?

#134

Post by wobbly_bush »

908B64B197 wrote: post #77
PreInternet01 wrote: post #29

Congratulations! Having cracked versions out there indicates that your software is both useful and notable, which is a point where many developers would love to arrive at, maybe, one day. As to what to do about it, there are two basic tracks, neither of which is incompatible with the other: 1. The legal route: notifying distribution sites that they're hosting content in violation of copyright law, requesting takedown…

There's a third option: If the software supports getting updates, get the cracked copies to phone home and have a legal firm send them a warning they might be using hacked software. Home users won't care, but legitimate businesses might convert to actual sales.

If the business is from someone in a low income country, they likely wouldn't care about any legal warnings either. Some of the software prices in those countries are very expensive relative to prices of other things.

Re: Ask HN: We found a cracked version of our software on the web, now what?

#135

Post by MPlus88 »

"Thankfully, our digital signatures are lost in the process, so that's reassuring."

So you mean the software has been digitally signed? If it is signed how is it possible that it is cracked? Isn't even a slight modification of the binaries will render the software unusable if it is signed? I have a software that is signed digitally and the certificate private/public key is supposedly takes some hundred billion years on average to crack. So what is the point of signing a software?

Re: Ask HN: We found a cracked version of our software on the web, now what?

#136

Post by yakkityyak »

MPlus88 wrote: post #135

"Thankfully, our digital signatures are lost in the process, so that's reassuring." So you mean the software has been digitally signed? If it is signed how is it possible that it is cracked? Isn't even a slight modification of the binaries will render the software unusable if it is signed? I have a software that is signed digitally and the certificate private/public key is supposedly takes some hundred billion years…

People who download pirated versions will just clickthrough the trust warnings that the .exe or whatever is not signed.

Re: Ask HN: We found a cracked version of our software on the web, now what?

#137

Post by kuboble »

WASDx wrote: post #86
Fire-Dragon-DoL wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There was a videogame that got famous because it was pirated, it was a management game about setting up a gaming company. Turns out, the pirated copy had a special feature where the player would feel immense economic pressure from piracy, so a bunch of players asked how to win against this, it was pretty hard and really fun for people who knew what was going on. Point is, you could hide an Easter Egg for pirated vers…

I love this approach. If you can detect a crack and block it, it will get worked around. Injecting easter eggs is much more subtle. There was another game that made an otherwise easy jump between two platforms impossible, so the players who had cracked the game went on forums and unwittingly revealed themselves by asking how to complete that level.

We have implemented something similar. The most obvious way to crack our software will trigger certain bug. Whenever people report that bug I feel a little joy

Re: Ask HN: We found a cracked version of our software on the web, now what?

#138

Post by robswc »

Just want to say, not sure what exactly your software is but it might be a good sign. I have nothing to say on how to fight piracy (I do believe you should make attempts) as security isn't really my field.

I remember any tech-savy/media kid was obsessed with getting Adobe products... but no way could they ever afford a license like that. I don't think it would be as big as it is today without kids/younger generation getting their hands on it somehow.

Re: Ask HN: We found a cracked version of our software on the web, now what?

#140

Post by hutzlibu »

908B64B197 wrote: post #77
PreInternet01 wrote: post #29

Congratulations! Having cracked versions out there indicates that your software is both useful and notable, which is a point where many developers would love to arrive at, maybe, one day. As to what to do about it, there are two basic tracks, neither of which is incompatible with the other: 1. The legal route: notifying distribution sites that they're hosting content in violation of copyright law, requesting takedown…

There's a third option: If the software supports getting updates, get the cracked copies to phone home and have a legal firm send them a warning they might be using hacked software. Home users won't care, but legitimate businesses might convert to actual sales.

"and have a legal firm send them a warning they might be using hacked software."

Rather send a message directly through the software and give a link directly to purchase it. A bit cheaper and more straightforward, than finding out adresses and involve lawers. That should be the last resort.

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