This section has been formed by the merging of the miscellaneous and papers pages (I didn't have the inclination to maintain them individually). Here you will find many tutorials which I wasn't able to place in one of the other specific sections e.g. :- CD checks (basic & C-Dilla), Code Matrices, .dll protections & FlexLM as well as many others. You might find some useful tips amongst these documents which may then assist your progress with a current target.
This page also provides tips to software authors regarding basic anti-debugging measures and anti-cracking techniques, I've also added several of my favourite essays courtesy of Fravia's site (notably those by Quine). Essentially anything I can't categorise will end up here, so peruse at will.
Target Name | Description | Date |
C-Dilla Collection | Black Check's competent 2 part guide to removing C-Dilla (16k). | N/A |
Commandos, Behind Enemy Lines | CD-Lock reversing by zoltan. | 28/09/99 |
Dune 2000 from WestWood | More basic CD-check patching / reversing by zoltan. | 28/09/99 |
Mech Warrior 3 | Basic CD-check cracking by BlueFox. | 27/08/99 |
Target Name | Description | Date |
SmoothMove v2.0 (3DSMax Plug-in) | Slight variation on the TimeLock 2 scheme. | 23/04/99 |
TimeLock Scheme - QModem Pro v2.1 | tl32v20.dll. | 03/05/98 |
VBox v4.1 (Preview Software) | Extending the VBox dll by BigMoM (recommended). | 14/12/98 |
XingMPEG Encoder v2.2 & SalesAgent "Hall of Shame" | Release Software Corporation (rsagnt32.dll) and download URL's of other software using SalesAgent. | 30/05/98 |
Document Title | Description | Date |
Anti-Debugging Tricks | Or "How to detect SoftICE". | 06/06/99 |
Author Responses | 2 software authors expressing their thoughts. | 10/12/98 |
Bentley MicroStation /J v07.00.01.11 | Brute-forcing the weakness in a serial # scheme. | 25/05/99 |
Blue Marble Geographics Calculator v4.0 | Using the symbol loader to verify a dll protection. | 10/06/98 |
Bookmark Magic v2.1 | A long code matrix with C++ Key Generator by Prophecy. | 15/06/98 |
Championship Chinese Checkers v2.5 (32-bit) | A curious protection using an ini files date stamp. | 08/10/98 |
Cracking THE tool of the trade (IDA Pro v3.7) | Part 1 by Quine (an absolute classic). | N/A |
Cyber Patrol v4.00.012 | A simple 16-bit protection. | 13/07/98 |
DAYO Accounting v7.03 | Make your own in-memory patcher for targets. | 04/11/98 |
FlexLM v6.1 & SDS /2 | Guide to FlexLM reversing with an example target. | 28/08/99 |
Nico's Commander v4.02 | A little about CRC/parity checking as well as coding a serial # locator. | 27/09/98 |
QStart v3.2b | Looping, junking and fake code tricks. | 14/06/98 |
Richey's Anti-Cracking FAQ for Programmers | Assisted by +Fravia of all people. | 22/04/99 |
RSA Cryptosystem | Theoretical and mathematical explanation of said system. | 27/08/99 |
RSA Mathematical Theory | More maths and examples of the RSA cryptosystem by Lucifer48. | 30/09/99 |
Search/Replace v6.1.0 | A good .ini file protection using tables. | 08/07/98 |
SmartWhoIs v2.0 | An .ini file protection described by Friendship. | 23/05/99 |
Software Protection Tips | Some tips on how to make your protection harder to beat. | 17/12/98 |
TZ-Strip Poker | Work through the maths and crack this (16-bit) missing file protection. | 28/10/98 |
Vitas Ramanchauskas - Protecting Shareware Programs | Reasonable guide for shareware authors. | 11/09/98 |
WinHex 8.03 | Simple reversing of valid registration codes by Pc-NinJa. | 02/04/99 |
Zip File Password Cracking | A summary of the main techniques specifically the plaintext approach. | 22/05/99 |