VB: can anyone read the code in...

[Jamith]

a .exe file. I want to make a program where the sorse code can't be read, is this the way all .exe files are, or is there a way to read the code? Thanks.

[Cinjection]

The code is encrypted and compiled into Binary. It is impossible to read the source code of a exe file. As long as you complie it. I may be wrong but i think that it is impossoble. Mabey if the person has a nifty de-complier or something.

[Jamith]

Alright thanks man

[Cinjection]

At 4/9/05 08:31 PM, Jamith wrote: Alright thanks man

No problem. What exactly are you umaking in VB?

[Jamith]

Just a program to hold information on how to decode certain codes that I've written, that remind me of stuff I've gotta do that I don't want everyone reading lol, so it's a vault in a way. I'll probably never use it and it'll just be for fun, but who knows lol. I know that probably sounds weird lol...thats cause it is.

[Ravens-Grin]

If the code is compiled, then the code can be read by a program in assembler language. This in VB code is impractical because VB is a bloated language and it would take the dissambler a long time to make relevance to your code. If the code is instead in a string in your code and is not actually compiled, then there is a good possibility that it could be read by something as simple as a hex editor. Way to stop it? Make a program that reads a text file of the code, and then encrypts it (there's several easy bit-wise manipulations to use if you want, not as protective, but easy to implement).

[XannyBarz]

Isent it possible with VB to import an .exe file into it like AIM or something and read the source code? Thats what somebody told me...

[Jamith]

At 4/10/05 12:19 AM, Ravens_Grin wrote:

:Make a program that reads a text file of the code, and then encrypts it (there's several easy bit-wise manipulations to use if you want, not as protective, but easy to implement).

Ahh awsome. I don't really know much about VB, or computers, so is there a simple way to do that?

[Cinjection]

At 4/10/05 11:46 AM, Jamith wrote:

Ahh awsome. I don't really know much about VB, or computers, so is there a simple way to do that?

I'd say thats a bit over your head. Theres no real need to have such security in a program unless you're making a money releated program.

[Jamith]

At 4/10/05 12:02 PM, Love_Daddy wrote: I'd say thats a bit over your head. Theres no real need to have such security in a program unless you're making a money releated program.

Alright thanks anyhow, if you think it's over my head then I'm sure it is. Most people overestimate my knowledge of this stuff even when I don't know much lol. It's not THAT important cause it's pretty much for fun.

[Cinjection]

At 4/10/05 12:04 PM, Jamith wrote:

Alright thanks anyhow, if you think it's over my head then I'm sure it is. Most people overestimate my knowledge of this stuff even when I don't know much lol. It's not THAT important cause it's pretty much for fun.

Did you make anything good in VB yet? I just finished my Tic-Tac-Toe game!
if you want to look over the source of that i can send it to you.

w00tness

[thoughtpolice]

That wouldn't be hard. In fact, you can use the WEP encryption method to encrypt your data if you want (the only cipher I can think of right now), then the party who wants it can just decrypt it using their key. WEP encryption is actually suprisingly simple, I think it goes like (++ meaning contencation):

Plaintext == P == [M ++ CRC32(M) (the Checksum of M is 32-bits)];
Seed == S == RC4([24-bit IV ++ WepKEY]);

Encrypted Data == ENC == Plaintext XOR Seed;
Then, you just contencate the 24-bit IV to the front of ENC, so your final result is:

IV++ENC.

Decrypting it is simple as well. You take the IV off and do it in reverse.

IV == IV taken off ENC;
ENC == Everything left;
Seed == RC4([Taken IV ++ Your own WEPKEY (should be the same)]);

Decrypted data == DENC == ENC (ENC without the IV, like I said) XOR Seed;

Then, you take the last 32-bits off the Decrypted data, which is the Checksum, then use CRC32 on the rest of the message, and compare the two checkums, if they're the same, it's valid, if not, you ignore it and drop it.

That's just one way, OR you can just use PGP.
Never tried it, but it's supposedly strong.

[Jamith]

At 4/10/05 12:07 PM, Love_Daddy wrote:

Did you make anything good in VB yet?

Umm, no not really, I've made a Space Invaders time game, exept you control your gun and shoot with the mouse, and insted of dodging shots you try to hit them for some reason. I'd show you but I don't have an uploader, or whatever it's called.

And sorry Reg, but I don't get a single bit of that...thanks anyhow though I appriciate it.

[Cinjection]

if you want i can host the game. Just send me the code in a txt file and the zip to [e-mail]

[CronoMan]

In VB 3.0 and earlier, you could actually convert a VB exe file into C code :) that was why they released VB 4.0

exe files can be disassembled. Go to www.intel.com, download the instruction list for x86 processors, google, and find the documentation for linear and non-linear exe files. (linear is much easier, but isn't really used anymore for some reason)

[Jamith]

At 4/10/05 02:49 PM, Love_Daddy wrote: if you want i can host the game. Just send me the code in a txt file and the zip to [e-mail]

Thanks, but I wouldn't say it's worth hosting, it's got bad graphics, and buggy.

[Cinjection]

At 4/11/05 07:05 PM, Jamith wrote:

At 4/10/05 02:49 PM, Love_Daddy wrote: if you want i can host the game. Just send me the code in a txt file and the zip to [e-mail]

Thanks, but I wouldn't say it's worth hosting, it's got bad graphics, and buggy.

ok no problem. Im always willing to host peoples OSS on my site.

[Jamith]

At 4/12/05 03:19 PM, Love_Daddy wrote:

ok no problem. Im always willing to host peoples OSS on my site.

Alright cool, well I'll contact you if I ever make something decent.