Generate key for a software developed using vb.net

Question

Hai guys, I ve developed a salary calculating software using vb.net.... Its working fine and i ve converted it to an exe file... My drawback is it can be copied and pasted in another system very easily... I want to generate a key for the exe file and while installing the key should be used and when installation is completed ,the key should not be used again... Is this ya secured one or give me some ideas how it can be done....

Answer 1

There are many product on the market that will help you generate software keys, for example www.softwareshield.com and www.exeshield.com Or simply do a Google Search.

For more serious protection you can use a hardware key that unlocks your software, for example http://www.matrixlock.de/english/index.htm

Answer 2

It all depends on your adience.

If you are targetting end-users / home-users: no matter what you do, your software will be hacked (if it is good enough).

If you target the enterprise: Companies are mostly willing to buy your software, and do not copy to other companies. They have far more to loose when running illegal software. But also they are the first to complain if they cannot distribute your software using their distribution system. And this system will be blocked by your copy protection scheme.

Conclusion: Implement the simplest and cheapest protection scheme you can find. And also find a way you can bypass it easily if you want enterprises as your customer.