You see a new shiny or updated version of software and if you wants to download the software you need to spend some cash before you can use it? We Have been there and staring at you. You can paywall. But you ever wondered how these activation mechanisms actually work and how Crackers manage to bypass the software activation and use free of these software ?
Programs are written in languages like C++, Java and Python. These languages are user friendly but hocus pocus to computers machine. To connect the communication gap between user and machine. The code is translated into machine code & it make a glorious mess of 0 and 1 is called Binary that your computer can finally understand. This translation process is called compilation. Machine code can be displayed in Assembly Language. Which is basically machine code with a slightly better outfit. Instead of high-level commands. you get to deal with resembling instructions like "move ebx 23" which is just a fancy way of telling the computer to put the number 23 in the EBX register. let discuss to next point you also be interested to read.
Software activation checks come in two flavors
Online and Offline
Online checks
Online check verify your ownership by exchange data with our data server somewhere out in the cloud. You type your key into the software and software send the verification of key on our servers and sends it off along with the unique identifier of your machine. The server checks its list and if your key is legit it sends back a thumbs up and your software is activated and it is ready to use.
Offline checks
On the other hand the offline checks are like an puzzle. The software uses an algorithm built into itself to verify your key it comes with your software when you download it. you enter your activation key, Name , Email, Phone Number. This algorithm checks the key against some our internal rules. These algorithms can range from simple pattern checks to brain-meltingly complex processes involving its called cryptography.
When Enter the crackers into Room 🐍
Cracker has come to complete only one mission to bypass or jump the activation mechanisms. They use reverse engineering. A process that involves taking the software apart to see how it check and do this. they use tools like disassemblers and debuggers. Disassemblers turn machine code back into Assembly Language and making it slightly more readable. Debuggers run the software step by step and Crackers pausing the software step by step and see what happening under the software.
The process usually starts with the cracker and hunting down the activation code. often by searching for significant strings like "invalid key" or "activation required." Once they find the code, they study how it works. This might involve checking specific bytes, calculating a checksum or decrypting some data. After understanding the activation process. they adjust the code to bypass it. This can mean replacing critical instructions with "noop" (no operation) commands or changing conditional jumps to change the program flow into the software.
When modification in Code
Crackers create a patched version of the executable software and distributing it alongside with original installer. Users then replace the original executable with the patched one and they have got a free. however distributing illegal copy of the software.
But software developers aren not just sitting around rotating their thumbs. They got roll up their sleeves and make reverse engineering harder an makes more confusing code look like a tangled mess of noodles. which is much harder to crack.
As an example, how to crack a reverse engineering "crackme" program. These crackmes are made specifically to be cracked. they are not real programs but are designed for this purpose. The crackme in question is called "Pride crack C" by Pride. It.is written in C or C++ and is a 32-bit program. The tool we will use is x64dbg, a popular debugger.
How to Cracker Crack the Software
First, we will open the program and see what it does. It asks for a name, so we will enter tha name "robo." Then it asks for a serial key and we enter a random key like "112233." The program responds with "false serial key" and exits. Now we know the program uses the msvcrt.dll system call to handle this, so let search for that in x64dbg. Once we find it they we will start looking for the right serial key.
After opening the program in x64dbg. we will search and find msvcrt.dll. Double-clicking on it and we find some code related to the serial key check. We see a compare instruction checking the user input against a stored value. We need to make sure this comparison passes. So we will set a breakpoint at the "jump if not equal" instruction and run the program again. Entering "robo" and "112233." When the breakpoint hits, we will check the values being compared. We see our input "112233" being compared to a stored value. which is calculated using the length of the name and some arithmetic operations.
To find out how this value (Data flow) we observe that the name length is stored in the EAX register and some operations are performed on it. they will use other languages to recreate this calculation. For a name with five letters like "robot" the length is five, and we add 0xca to it, then XOR it with 0x3d8d40f. The language code generates the serial key. which can now be used.
After restarting the program, we enter the name "robo" and use the generated key. It works and that how we crack this program using x64dbg.
Conclusion
Now here is the serious part: While using cracked software is illegal and its very risky. You could face legal consequences on cracked software often it comes with unwanted bonus features like malware and unwanted auto install program which steal you data. Plus. you miss out on support and legit updates. your data and operating system security has been compromised. So been a technical wizardry & behind bypassing software activation is undeniably fascinating and illegal. the best to stay on the right side of the law.
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