Protecting Flash source

[bryan_sor]

Is protecting your Flash source code a losing battle, or what do people use? I am looking at Flashpack, but don't know if it actually protects code from decompiling. What else have people used effectively to protect their code?

[atomic]

Old answer to an old question, yes most likely, it's a losing battle...
You can somewhat obfuscate your code, but that's about it...

http://www.genable.com/aso.html

[CyanBlue]

Yeah... You could do something about it but somebody is going to come up with a way to decompile the file sooner or later...

[asf8]

Originally Posted by atomic

Old answer to an old question, yes most likely, it's a losing battle... You can somewhat obfuscate your code, but that's about it... http://www.genable.com/aso.html

1.) Just curious how does ASO compare to SWF Encrypt, is one better then the other?

2.) Also are there decompilers that currently crack SWF Encrypt or ASO ?

3.) Is the FREE lite version of ASO enough to secure ?

4.) Does either cause a slow down in SWF performace after obfuscating?

I know its a losing battle, just curious.

PS: Please dont do the joke again atomic ;-) (But if you have a method, please share ;-)

[atomic]

As I stated earlier, I'm all for decompilers and basically against any obfuscating software... Just tested ASO against my present version of Sothink(3.7) to see the outcome... Code is in fact obfuscated and doesn't make real sense, but the structure is still there, and some bright kids could probably make sense out of it...
Mind you if they're that bright, they don't really need a decompiler...

Still in the end, pictures, sounds, etc. are still available...

[asf8]

Originally Posted by atomic

some bright kids could probably make sense out of it... Mind you if they're that bright, they don't really need a decompiler...

Still in the end, pictures, sounds, etc. are still available...

Yeah I know, so much for my questions by the way ;-) I know there is not much in the way of protection, and when someone does come up with some half baked solution they test it and run ;-).

Are you then saying your not that bright?
1.) Mind you if they're that bright, they don't really need a decompiler
2.) I'm all for decompilers and basically against any obfuscating software

Kidding!!!!!!!!!

PS: Funny one in the other thread atomic

[asf8]

can you post an ASO swf for me to see ?

[atomic]

This one is...

http://francoisgill.110mb.com/flash/...7/demoobf.html

Mind you, the delay in the appearance of the thumbs was requested... It's not an obfuscating caused slowdown...

[bryan_sor]

Thanks atomic and everyone, excellent info. I'm sure you're right. If someone really wants it bad enough they can crack any type of protection. Just a matter of their desire and free time. In my case it's code I'm trying to protect - used to verify an encrypted password against the device id of the phone. I'm thinking an obfuscator will probably work well enough for 99% of my target audience.

[bryan_sor]

Also Atomic, did you think ASO is as good as any other obfuscator? It seems to be one of the most inexpensive, from the few I have looked at. I am also going to look at Flashpack and will share my thoughts. My first impression is it doesn't offer any protection, only makes install/delivery easier, but it does say it turns the swf file into an executable. I would think that would at least obfuscate the code, but their support didn't respond to an email I sent them regarding protection either.