Digital Workshop

Hi

Always on the look-out for third party programs that can extend Opus functionality, I came across a super program, EnigmaProtector (http://www.enigmaprotector.com/en/home.html), that can add protection to Opus EXE pubs.

The program can protect DLL's and other included files, using embedding and a variety of additional techniques. An updated version was just released (July 15, 2008) with many new features.

The developer has a tutorial (http://www.enigmaprotector.com/en/tutorials/tutorial1.html) showing how to use EnigmaProtector with an Opus pub.

Very interesting software!

Kind Regards,

While the tutorial is somewhat involved, it would certainly make sense to invest in this product for any Opus project that has a relatively high purchase price and needs protection above and beyond the usual options.

Of even greater interest to me (and probably others) is the injector utility. Even though the process would still be rather involved (same as using Enigma?) the programmer's skill at adjusting Opus output code might mean that a professional-looking "Properties" information box could be generated -- for example, showing your own Company name, the program's name, copyright information, version number & so on. This would contribute to imparting a professional look to the published output (which is now bleakly anonymous).

Hi Robert,

Thanks for your suggestions. Why not send them along to Vladimir, the Enigma developer? He has been very helpful in customizing Enigma to work with Opus and adding suggested items to improve Enigma.

support@EnigmaProtector.com

Kind Regards,

Hi Robert,

Whilst Enigma is an interesting piece of software, I'd be cautious about implementing on high end projects as it appears flawed in several areas - notably as a generic PE protector is falls pray to those who understand how to reverse-engineer code bypassing the security.

If it were merely, the technologically suave that might attempt to corrupt the publications, then I doubt it would be a problem - but it's when they go a step further and create generic 'cracks' that render protection system pointless. Because Enigma is in the limelight, protecting all manor of home-grown programs - it does and probably will continue to suffer from this problem.

Additionally, Enigma still seems unable to handle Opus publications that are not single EXEs (or additional resources) - which is a shame as Opus deals with multimedia content and without a suitable way of protecting the hard work that goes into the resources as well as the development of the actual publication - we're still left at the mercy of those not honest enough to recognise the true cost of digital creation.

Enigma is a well protected 'cat' - but as they say, there is more than one way to skin the proverbial 'cat' - and IMHO - I'd rather develop a different system until Enigma goes from being good for Opus to great for Opus.

My tuppence worth,

Mack

P.S forgot to add - that the idea of having properties for published file is an excellent idea and something I wish DW would implement in the publish options.

Hi all

I'm having conversations with Vladimir about transfer settings from EP to Opus pub. This can be useful in order to show some of the pages for unregistered users (advertising) or to hide some features from unregistered users.

After some difficulty found the code that transfers in the pub of a variable (reg), which may be = 0, if the publication is not registered, and = 1, if registered.

This script must be run OnShow of publication.

Hi Volgar,

Yes, after our last postings, I went back through the codes that Vladimir had sent to facilitate interaction between Enigma and Opus and found the ide function call. Reminded Vladimir that
var MyDLL = LoadDLL( "enigma_ide.dll" )
if (MyDLL)
{
MyValue1 = MyDLL.CallFn("EP_Check<severalvariations>String",false, "string")
}
worked when we tested it a while ago. I relied on Vladimir to customize and test with you for your specific needs. Happy to see that this worked out.

Enigma has the capacity to return a variety of items (see Enigma chm help guide) to Opus via calling of the Enigma_ide.dll, which allows for some interesting interactions.

As to protecting resources, like images, other creative files: Enigma has the capability to hide and package these these in the protected executable. They run without the user being aware that they separately exist. As far as I can tell, they never show up elsewhere and so cannot be located to copy.

I am far from expert at file and resource protection, but it appears that Enigma has highly sophisticated, state of the art encryption and numerous protections built in. I have successfully used it, along with encryption like 1Crypt, to protect health sensitive data in pubs.

Defintely worth exploring. Plus, if a feature is not yet available, Vladimir has been very receptive to adding features needed by Opus users.

Hope this helps.

Kind Regards,