Here, we need some programming knowledge, a hex editor and (as always) some… tricky thoughts. The key here, for the cracker, is how to find a way to fool the application in order to allow the user to press the button before (or after…?) the program disable it. Thus, the existed button “Start” (in every application’s welcome screen) becomes disabled when the user try to press it! Sometimes, programmers used this trick when they realize that a user use the program in a not legitimate manner (unregistered, illegal copy etc.). A window appears and prompts the user to press a specific button, but when the mouse pointer comes over, the button becomes disabled (Figure 2). Our first target is a program that programmers used to create for fun.

Olly: A well-known PE executable’s debugger

Programming skills are always welcome )įigure 1.

Also, welcome (and many times required) is the knowledge of PE executables internal structure ( ).

Basic knowledge of Machine Registers ( ).Hex editors (you have to know at least what it is – ).An idea of how debuggers and disassemblers work and specially Olly debugger (Figure 1 and ).Basic knowledge of Assembly language ( ).This program is no longer available (at least in the version that it was when it was cracked). Next, I will show how to crack a small and simple commercial program. I am going to give you two examples of how to crack a “home-made” program just to take the idea of what is behind in both parts: the cracker and the programmer. I will show the least elementary steps needed for cracking simple programs. In this article you will learn what is required in order to start thinking as a cracker. In general, use the knowledge you get from resources like this, to create more robust programs or better protecting tools.Īccording to Wikipedia: Software cracking is the modification of software to remove or disable features which are considered undesirable by the person cracking the software, usually related to protection methods: (copy protection, protection against the manipulation of software), trial/demo version, serial number, hardware key, date checks, CD check or software annoyances like nag screens and adware. Everything published in this article is just for educational purposes and for “white” knowledge, that is the knowledge used only for defense.

How to crack any software with ollydbg