licensing an access application

[mcdhappy80]

If it is coded right the expiry date is preset before given to the client and even if the database is not used it will expire and can not be reinstalled after the expirey date
this is how i code my databases you could also code a backdate to stop the client backdateing the system date

Could You please elaborate this?
What do You mean by "expiry date is preset"? How it is preset?
How do You code backdate? What is backdate, how does it work?
If I create a property for the database, put the license key in it, and then make .accde database, can I later remove that license from the property and add new one?
If my code compares the date when on database start-up can users, change the date to one in past, and thus prolong the period of using database?
Can someone give some other mean of securing the database this way?

Thank You

 

[rob.low]

Hi mcdhappy80 im working away at moment be back home tomorow will post some info then

Rob

 

[sagpintri]

Thanks so much 4 sharing with us,bros

 

[AJordan]

Why not just use the developers extension and include the 2007 Runtime? These downloads from MS are free. You can still do all of your safety features in development but this should be good enough to block the average user with a little access knowledge

 

[mcdhappy80]

Why not just use the developers extension and include the 2007 Runtime? These downloads from MS are free. You can still do all of your safety features in development but this should be good enough to block the average user with a little access knowledge

That's one amongst the things I am doing, but in order to prevent some average developer, You need to do a little more about security than that.
Thanks anyways

 

[rob.low]

Hi
sorry for the delay getting back to you. was on assignment

attached is a sample db that can be used to provide a timed demo (ie: 30 days)to clients using the db properties to store the dates etc.
and has the code for checking if the computer date has been put back within it

hope this helps

rob

 

[mcdhappy80]

Hi
sorry for the delay getting back to you. was on assignment

attached is a sample db that can be used to provide a timed demo (ie: 30 days)to clients using the db properties to store the dates etc.
and has the code for checking if the computer date has been put back within it

hope this helps

rob

Thanks Rob. Will examine Your example and post questions if any. Cheers!

 

[NigelShaw]

Hi
sorry for the delay getting back to you. was on assignment

attached is a sample db that can be used to provide a timed demo (ie: 30 days)to clients using the db properties to store the dates etc.
and has the code for checking if the computer date has been put back within it

hope this helps

rob

Hi Rob,

as previously raised, it still has a flaw.....

the user could simply remove the current front end and replace it with the original downloaded one as the security facility is limited to the db properties so does not check externally for any sort of predefined key. usually the db would be split and zipped for distribution. i would simply use it for the time period, delete the current front end, add in the new front end from the download and carry on as any settings or dates set in the db would be in the properties of the last one not the new one. when the new one opens, its brand new.

i still champion the registry personally. i use a pretty simple process-

Check for key
if key = true then ( previously installed and bail if not authorised )
else
add key ( and start demo period )
etc etc

Nigel

 

[rob.low]

point taken and i agree but

the registery is not that secure also

you just need to run a small program that tracks reg entries and changes
and then it would be easy to get round also

most user coded security is not 100% secure from a experianced access coder /delevoper all we can do is make it as hard to get around as we can

I now use a flash drive as a dongle , the application checks for the flash drive on start up then checks every 10 seconds to see if it has been removed if so it closes the application ( this is harder to get around)

there is so meany ways to make things harder for the average user who will buy your application......but as i say a good coder will probaly get around it some how

rob

Hi Rob,

as previously raised, it still has a flaw.....

the user could simply remove the current front end and replace it with the original downloaded one as the security facility is limited to the db properties so does not check externally for any sort of predefined key. usually the db would be split and zipped for distribution. i would simply use it for the time period, delete the current front end, add in the new front end from the download and carry on as any settings or dates set in the db would be in the properties of the last one not the new one. when the new one opens, its brand new.

i still champion the registry personally. i use a pretty simple process-

Check for key
if key = true then ( previously installed and bail if not authorised )
else
add key ( and start demo period )
etc etc

Nigel

 

[NigelShaw]

Hi Rob

i really like the idea of a flash drive dongle and use a drawing program that has a "hasp". i guess the downside is it removes the option for a download version as you would need the physical dongle in order for it to work.

as a question, did you write the code for the dongle checking? it would be something worth exploring if it is an available item


regs

Nidge

 

[wiklendt]

I now use a flash drive as a dongle , the application checks for the flash drive on start up then checks every 10 seconds to see if it has been removed if so it closes the application ( this is harder to get around)

there is so meany ways to make things harder for the average user who will buy your application......but as i say a good coder will probaly get around it some how

rob

just out of curiosity, how do you guard against someone imaging that USB drive and copying the data onto another USB?

i've always thought dongles were the safest bet with anti-piracy, but i never had stumbled on the imaging idea before...

 

[rob.low]

Hi wiklendt.

there is no data stored on the flash key it uses the serial number of the key to check if it is pluged in.


regards
rob