Easiest way to limit executable to running on a certain computer

Question

I am trying to create an executable that will only run on one machine. What is the easiest way to achieve this? A license file? Or is there a machine address much like the MAC for network connections I could hardcode into the executable?

Answer 1

If it will run on only one machine, then... simply secure the machine and only store the executable on this machine.

That's, unfortunately, about the only reliable method.

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Longer answer:

• bits can be copied
• programs can be dissassembled
• dissassembly can be reverse engineered (though it's sometimes long)
• the cost of reverse engineering can be made higher than the value produced by the program, possibly at a higher cost that the value produced by the program.

If you look long enough at the software industry:

• DRM: fail
• Licenses: fail
• Licenses with web activation: fail

If it's worth cracking, it'll get cracked.