I am developing a VB application which the client wants to distribute to many persons. They want to have some restrictions for the distribution of it. The application is meant for individual PCs and is said to be very cheap also.

They want each of their client to purchase new copies of this application. One client can re-install it on their m/c, if they want, without any problem.

They want the authentication mechanism to be secure. It should not be possible for one person to install the application purchased by another person.

They are going to host a web-site for the distribution of this product.

I suggested putting an internet based registration for the application. We can give a key for each new distribution so that only one application can be permitted using one key.

However the client does not seem to be impressed with this. (The application as such does not need Internet connection). They say there is a unique number is associated with each computer just like IMEI number of mobile number. They say this number has to be checked and authentication should be done. However, I could not find such a number for a computer.

My doubt is, is there a unique number for each computer ? If yes, how can I get it using VB 6.0 ?

Is there any other way in which I can authenticate and prevent mis-use of application ?

Any idea for this will be highly appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

Madhu

Hi Madhu,

One option that you should perhaps consider is to buy a copy of a custom control called SoftLocx by Bitarts (http://www.bitarts.com) which I believe can generate serial keys and generate unlock keys as well. From what I've heard it has a lot of functionality but I think can be costly to initially buy. I guess it is an option though!

Kind regards,

Craig

This looks like a good use for "Environ({envstring | number})"

pcNr = Environ("HOSTNAME")

will return the network machine name of the computer, which should be unique within the network.

Thanks for all the responses. Sorry for the delay. I was doing various types of feasibility checks in this direction.

I got a code to read the hard disk serial number using VB. The link is :

http://www.vbgold.com/vb-projects/di...l-number.shtml

Here is another link which says how to do authorisation using serial number.

http://www.vb-helper.com/howto_register_product.html

Thanks once again for all the responses.

Dear Madhukp,

I would like to know if these codes will run 100% with VB.net?

Which other tips and links about piracy protection can you post here?

See U,

Paulo CASSIANO.

Paulo CASSIANO.