Unbreakable Software Protection Method

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CW

Hi all!

I've been off enjoying my summer, but when I came across this article I thought of you.

Computer Scientists at UCLA have hit upon the holy grail of software protection. A protection method which allows full functionality of any program, yet any attempt to read the source code returns a number stream of pure garbage. The article gives only the sketchiest description of how it works; apparently the code is so mathematically folded in upon itself, with each part so mathematically interdependent upon the other parts (like a mathematical jigsaw puzzle) that the program will only execute if the encrypted whole is untouched. I wonder if a virtual machine recording how the program accesses virtual components could expose the functionality.. -the article doesn't say. If this method of protection can allow execution in real time without significant slowing, I'll bet we will see unbreakable software become the norm in the next few years. (The patent-holder is set to become VERY rich.) Suck it, China!  =D

Anyway, here is a link to the article for you to enjoy.
-CW

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130729161946.htm

Brick Redux

Tut-tut to China :)  Is China becoming the next Russia?  No offence to Russian or China users here by the way for Im talking about goverments here - not the populace.

Am I right in thinking that the only way to protect your info/code is to display a virtual image of it online that contains newly created paths,functions and variables etc keeping the origin safe. (with no Log Ins allowed)

Thanks CW.
A mournful owner of a HP HDX18 Laptop that has died...FECK!

Marmor


CW

Hi all.

I've been thinking about this story, and I have a few notions which I'd like to share.

First, my idea that a virtual machine observing memory access might be able to decompile the encrypted code wouldn't work. While such a virtual machine may well be able to reconstruct simple machine language commands, it would not be able to capture the logic behind those commands; and it is the logic more than the code which IS a program.

Second: I also wonder if unbreakable software technology will even be allowed in the market by the American Government. As a security threat, and as a weapon, it may just be too powerful. The Government may militarize this technology. The next Stuxnet worm is almost certainly going to be encrypted before it is released. Such a worm could do its job with absolutely no possibility of it being turned back against its maker. Suspicions as to who the maker is would run high towards the US in the short term, for the technology was developed first here; but by its uncrackable nature, such a worm is all but untraceable and there will soon be other players in the game.   

Third: It is the nature of technology that once a high-level player makes a major breakthrough and that a thing is discovered to be possible, it is only a matter of time before other players replicate the achievement. China in particular is certain to train its massive intellectual savvy on the challenge and will, within a few years, have the ability to create uncrackable worms of their own. This may happen sooner if they can successfully employ espionage. That should give anyone pause. Russia too is a major contender to develop this technology, as is any country with serious mathematical chops and a military bent. (India, Israel, Japan perhaps.)

Fourth: Even if encrypted programs are currently slow to run, it is only a matter of time before the technology becomes viable. It may take a computer generation or three before computer speed eliminates any slowing issue, and any slowness may be dealt with much sooner if the technology becomes commercialized. Computers may ship with a dedicated processing chip specifically to support on-the-fly encryption math. Microsoft is sick and tired of its operating systems being cracked and on the streets before they are even released. The appeal of unbreakable software to the industry is obvious.

We may also see other forms intellectual property become unbreakabily encrypted. Want to watch the new 'Pandora Part III'? Sure! Simply pop the DVD into your machine, load up the included special encryption player program, and enjoy! Perhaps this form of encryption could extend even to Satellite or Cable. Music, literature, video.. who knows how far a commercialized form of this technology could extend? Maybe even to the newest version of GLbasic?  ;)

Finally, one benefit of commercializing this technology is that it could make hacking much more difficult and thereby make critical infrastructure systems more secure. Imagine the source code for every sort of system going black. It could make hacking things so much more difficult it it becomes impossible for a hacking team to dump code that is burned onto hardware chips; the sorts of chips found in cars, pacemakers, cellphones, utilities, you name it.

Just some speculations. You heard about them here, first. 
-CW

CW

Here is a disturbing article about an instance of Chinese code theft which could have a direct bearing on the development, use and possible commercial release of this encryption method.

-CW

http://investigations.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/06/19566531-chinese-firm-paid-insider-to-kill-my-company-american-ceo-says?lite&ocid=msnhp&pos=1

Youkaisan

I've moved into Linux and open source softwares, however I think such encryption may bring some level of data secure, but such method may also made into crimes such as hiding crime data/plan....

r0ber7

I'm not so sure about the commercial success of closed software. Closed code means only a handful of developers can work on it. It inhibits cooperation, and progress is often slow. Open source takes advantage of the fact that anyone, anywhere, anytime, can improve on the code or add to it.

Brick Redux

Quote from: Marmor on 2013-Aug-05
Remember Titanic !

;D

Yep, the movie that trusts the ocean to give it safe passage.

(Sorry Ocean, couldnt resist.)
A mournful owner of a HP HDX18 Laptop that has died...FECK!

erico

haha! :D

But he might come around Porco Rosso style! hehe, cheers guys.