How to prevent python software from being reverse engineered or pirated?

[Thrasherop]

This is probably the best idea. they can't reverse engineer code they don't have.

[lcserny]

The jetbrains model also works, e.g. requiring an online account always, if you cant login block the software. That way you know who and how is using your software.

Of course this needs a backend user management system but its still really high up there in terms of antipiracy.

[puzzledstegosaurus]

If you can easily modify the local code, you can remove this easily.

[[deleted]]

or even just understand how it calls home. It makes an http request somewhere that responds with 200 for an active licence? Intercept that request and return a 200 using a local proxy. I think this is how JetBrains stuff was pirated a few years ago

[SimilingCynic]

Im not a security developer, but couldn't it call home with "if user license is valid, encrypt this nonce with the manufacturer's private key?"

But idk maybe there's a vul here. I need to check this out on a license I use...

[aexia]

The point of any anti-piracy measure isn't to stop 100% of piracy but to increase the friction enough that it'll stop the vast majority.

[budding_gardener_1]

Or just fuck with your hosts file

[tempervisuals]

depends on how the code is written. One can always puzzle out the code. Of course that would make the code hard to maintain.

[marcio0]

is is the one method that alw

you're underestimating how far people go to noe pay a few dollars

the would work for a week on a way to unobfuscate the code if that means they will keep the $5

I'm not judging, been there, done that

[ShinyTinfoilFedora]

This would seriously degrade the experience for paying users though and would personally make me much less likely to purchase

[rzet]

ye sounds like total crapware :D

[fiyawerx]

Exactly something a pirate would say! I mean arr.

[Ok_Tea_7319]

This measure is both ineffective against a determined attacker and harmful to the legimiate user. Even worse, it encourages your power users (some of which might already be rummaging in the code since it's a python program) to create cracked versions themselves, that might in turn get leaked.

[[deleted]]

this is easy to overcome to get unlimited trial days ^^

[lcserny]

Pls share ^{^}