Protecting Your Applications - The Tools

by Tom Hebenstreit, Review Editor

Published 1998-08-01    Printer-friendly version

Welcome to the second part of our look at third party program protection tools!

In part one, we covered the background concepts and terms involved in protecting your programs. (Note: If you haven't read that article yet, I highly recommend that you do so now - you'll have a much easier time understanding what I'm talking about in this one!)

In this part, we'll take a look at four current products designed to help you do just that - protect your programs from theft and ensure that you get paid for every copy of your software out there (what a concept!). The tools we are going to cover are (in no particular order):

• "G-Reg Plus" v3.0b from Gitano Software
• "DAS_Registration" v1.4.1 from Tinman Development Corp.
• "Super Passcode" and "Super Limiter" v4.0 from BoxSoft Development
• "SecWin" v2.88 from CapeSoft

Before we get started...

At the beginning of the section for each product you'll see a list of the protection schemes currently support or not supported, along with any limitations, etc. Please keep in mind that feature lists like these can be become out of date rather rapidly, so be sure to check with the vendor if a product you are considering doesn't appear to support a particular feature you would like. Also, each of these tools may provide other features that are not listed. In all cases, I would recommend using this round up as a starting point for your own investigations.

In the interests of keeping things simple, the reviews concentrate mainly on what can be accomplished via the templates provided with each product. All of these products, though, provide complete documentation for their respective function lists, etc., so it is possible in many cases to heavily customize their use if you are hand coding, or have unique application needs.

Finally, all testing was done using the Clarion 4 version of each product (all are available for CW2.x as well). Each of the products was downloaded from the vendor's website, so the installation sections will reflect that. Most of the products are also available on disk either from the vendor or through a third party distributor such as Mitten Software or the TopSpeed Accessories program. See the summary for each individual package for information on pricing, sales and so forth.

G-Reg Plus v3.0b - Gitano Software

G-Reg Plus (G-Reg from here on) from Gitano Software has a good reputation as one of the first available copy protection tools available for Clarion for Windows. It retails for $99 and is available directly from Gitano via phone (805-398-8553) or mail (Gitano Software, P.O. Box 42912, Bakersfield, CA 93384). Online, it can be obtained via CompuServe SWREG or through the BMT Micro secure web site (https://secure.falcon-net.net/BMT/order1044.html). Gitano has a very nice web site at http://bizweb.lightspeed.net/~gitano where you can get more information, download demos of their products and view a few sample screens.

What it has: Branding, installation protection, copy protection (software), unique IDs, demo modes, time locking (user defined, for timed demos or leased software), revert to demo, run counters, record limits, multiple module support, restrict procedure access, restrict insert/change/delete within a form, developer key. Tampering results in locking out the program and the need to contact you (the vendor) for a new unlock.

What it doesn't have: Network concurrency checking, time limited unlock codes (although codes cannot be used before their date of issue, i.e., by someone messing with a PC's clock).

What's coming: Gitano stated that they are planning on adding support for ties to hardware, network concurrency and for registering a product through the web. Please note that none of these capabilities are in the product now, and you will need to contact Gitano for more information as to when (or if) the features actually become available.

Installation

G-Reg is provided as two downloads, one containing the templates, while the other is the program you use to actually create unlock codes, etc. (called GRegDev). The templates installed easily, automatically finding my Clarion4 directory. No mention was made during the install, however, of the point that the user should customize the G-Reg templates before registering them - that is only mentioned in the help file. This assumes, of course, that the user reads the help before registering and trying to use the product (not always a valid assumption!) and it is especially critical as your programs will not generate correct unlock codes until you either a), modify the templates or b), fill in your G-Reg information exactly the same every time you add G-Reg to an application. I'd recommend modifying the templates.

The GRegDev utility also installed without a hitch, creating a Gitano Software program group and putting items in it for G-Reg Help, GRegDev and a few other utilities. Since it is a self-contained program, it can be installed anywhere on your hard disk. I'd still prefer it to display the G-Reg help at the end of the install, though, just to help you get started as quickly as possible.

Interestingly, G-Reg was the only tool in this round up to be protected by itself. The GRegDev utility uses G-Reg to control whether it is a 15-day time-limited demo or a fully registered version, so you get to experience G-Reg in action first-hand.

Implementation

Depending on which types of options you want to turn on, adding G-Reg to an application ranges from very simple to pretty darn easy. Most of the time, all it took was adding the G-Reg global application extension and setting a few options there. To lock people out of certain portions of a program in, for example, demo mode, only required adding another extension template to the procedure I wanted to restrict. I did not need to use any embed code at any time.

The registration screen can be accessed from the warning and nag screens. If you wish to place a 'register' option in your application, Gitano provides an extension to automatically add the option to your main menu bar. If you check a box on the extension, the menu choice will disappear once the program is successfully registered. A button template is also provided, so you could call the registration from, for example, your 'About' window.

The basic G-Reg registration, warning and nag windows shown to the user cannot be directly modified, but you can use GRegDev to customize the text, titles, icon style, button text, tool tips, wallpaper and more. Since the base windows themselves are fairly generic, you should be able to integrate G-Reg into the look and feel of your apps without any problems.

I must confess that I spent more time entering my app and customer information to GRegDev so that I could generate unlocks than I did actually implementing G-Reg in my test application. It was that easy.

Performance

G-Reg did what it was supposed to do. All of my attempts to mess with INI files, dates, and so forth triggered the appropriate responses from my test program. If it was set to revert to demo mode, it did so. If it was set to lock out, well, locked out I was.

Documentation

The G-Reg documentation is in the form of a Windows Help file; no printable docs are provided. It does a decent job of explaining the templates and functions, and includes a very useful a 'How To' section which covers most of the common scenarios for using G-Reg. Two possible improvements: First, a section on the overall philosophy and methods of the product to help you get oriented with it and, second, more prominent placement of the section detailing what should be done before registering the templates.

No help or documentation is provided for GRegDev, which is a shame since it can be a very useful tool beyond merely generating unlock codes (see Other Goodies below). Gitano does mention in the G-Reg help file, though, that one is under development for GRegDev. It does, however, include four nifty Lotus ScreenCam movies, which demonstrate visually how to accomplish some common tasks such as personalizing the templates and creating unlock codes.

Technical Support

Gitano offers support via email using addresses at AOL, CompuServe or an Internet ISP. Response time was very good during normal business hours (within 10-20 minutes) using their Internet support address (gitano@lightspeed.net), while responses via CompuServe were slower. Questions were answered clearly, and suggestions received with respect. The few minor problems I uncovered (mostly in GRegDev) got immediate attention, and Gitano stated they would be making an update available containing fixes (and some of my suggestions) ASAP. Very commendable.

Other Goodies

The GRegDev application is actually a fairly comprehensive customer tracking system. It even includes sections for tracking the time you spend on an application and technical support time by customer, product or problem keyword. Very handy for support billing or simply seeing how much time is being spent supporting a given program. The stock reporting capability is limited, but hooks are included for you to add Report Writer reports for the GRegDev files. A dictionary for those GRegDev files is included, but no app file.

GRegDev also has a very useful option designed to remove the G-Reg Plus protection for an app from your hard drive after testing. This made it a snap to try different options without tripping over previously triggered program lockouts. A very nice touch, especially as I was trying every type of protection and trying to trip it up.

Summary

G-Reg Plus turned out to be simple to use, effective in action and very well supported. All in all, a real pleasure to work with.

Category	Product Score
Ability to do the task	Excellent
Ease of use	Excellent
Ease of Installation	Good
Documentation	Good
Technical Support	Excellent
Modifies Shipping Templates	No
Black-Box DLLs/LIBs	Yes

DAS_Registration v1.4.1 - Tinman Development

DAS_Registration (hereafter referred to as DAS_Reg) retails for $249, and is available direct from Tinman Development Corp (316-942-6866), via the web at BMT Micro (https://secure.falcon-net.net/BMT/order0274.html), or through the TopSpeed Accessories program (800-354-5444). More information and demos can be found at the Tinman Development web site: http://www.thetingroup.com

What is has: Branding, installation protection, copy protection (hardware), generates unique serial numbers, demo modes, time locking (user defined, for timed demos or leased software), revert to demo, run counters, record limits, restrict procedure access, restrict access field access on a per procedure basis, developer key, network concurrency checking (server installs only), multiple unlock keys. Unique extras include the ability to specify which type of drive the program can be run from (network only, local only or either), and allowing a specified number of re-installs onto the same machine without triggering the tamper protections.

Tampering results in locking out the program and the need to contact you (the vendor) for new unlocks.

What it doesn't have: Support for network concurrency checking where the EXE is installed on workstations rather than the server, can only change the text of DAS_Reg message windows, no single key unlocks for multiple features.

Installation

DAS_Reg was definitely the most entertaining installation - complete with an excerpt of "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" from The Wizard of Oz. On the more pedestrian side, it did exactly what it was supposed to do: install the templates and support programs. A program group was added to my Start menu, which gave access to the help files and the DAS_Reg Administration Utility (more on the utility later). At the end of the installation, it reminded me to register three templates (one for the Clarion Templates, one for ABC, and one for the Tinman common tools). Suggested improvements might be for the installation program to automatically find the Clarion4 directory (it defaults to C drive, mine is on E), register the templates for me and for it to display the DAS_Reg help upon completion. Getting spoiled, aren't we?

Implementation

DAS_Reg is a model of simplicity to set up. Add the global extension, fill in a few fields, check a few boxes and 'presto!', you have implemented such desirable features as copy protection, run counters or time limits. All message text for the warnings, nag screens, etc., for these options are set right there in the global template as well. You can also set when warning screens are to be shown, e.g., tell it to start showing them 5 days before expiration and to display them again at program exit as well as startup.

To create a limited feature demo, you only need to check a box on the Global extension and then add the DAS_Reg Demo Features extension to any procedure you wish to restrict in one fashion or another. You can restrict access completely (e.g., user presses 'Insert' and sees your 'not available in demo mode' message) or on a control by control basis (e.g., hide the 'OK' button on a Form). This extension also works on your application frame, so you can disable menu choices as well.

Enabling record limiting is also simply a matter of adding a procedure extension, then filling the prompts for which file, how many records, and the message to display when the limits are exceeded.

DAS_Reg uses a system where each individual feature has its own unlock codes and registration screen (usually just one or two fields). By default, registration is accessed from the DAS_Reg warning or nag screens. Code templates are also provided so that you can, if you wish, create menu items which would call the various DAS_Reg registration functions.

Performance

DAS_Reg was very effective at dealing with every one of my attempts to tamper with it. More than once I had to call myself for help (as the app 'vendor') or even completely start over as it locked me out of my test programs (exactly as it should!).

The windows it generates allow you to display a reasonable amount of text and information, and are generic enough so that they don't clash with the look and feel of most applications.

Documentation

A windows Help file is the only documentation provided. The file contains many screen shots, though, and is well done. My only real complaint (other than having nothing printable) was that the help was created using a tiny font size. Fortunately, I could use the Winhelp Font Option to increase it to a more readable size. And don't suggest glasses - I already got 'em!

Full help is also provided for the DAS_Reg Administration facility, which is a major plus in getting started with process of issuing unlock codes.

Technical Support

Support is provided via e-mail, and was reasonably prompt. My questions were answered to my satisfaction, and they were receptive to suggestions for features, etc.

Other Goodies

The DAS_Reg Administration utility which creates unlock codes can also be used as a decent client tracking system, since it requires (and stores) information about a company in order to generate the codes. The App file is also provided, so you can customize it as well.

One really handy feature of DAS_Reg is its "Auto-Build" capabilities for restricting access within a procedure. This comes into play when you want to enable or disable/hide many different controls (or menu items) based upon the program mode. For example, in Demo mode, you may wish to restrict access to multiple items on your main menu, or to all entry controls in a form. Rather than making you restrict each item one at a time, you add the DAS_Reg procedure extension, click on "Auto-build", select which types of controls to build for, and then generate your app. As soon as you come back to the procedure, you now have a pre-built section of code that applies your desired action to all of the specified control types. You can then modify that list as needed - and I found it much easier to delete a few controls than type in twenty. This feature can be a major time saver.

Summary

DAS_Registration was very easy to work with and effective in action.

I also like some of the unique features, such as being able to specify what type of drive the program will operate from - very handy for dealing with those people who buy one copy of a single user program and then place it on a server for many people to use. With DAS_Reg, you can set the program to simply refuse to run that way.

My only real complaint with DAS_Reg was the limitation in network concurrency checking where the program had to run from the server, rather than allowing the programs to be installed locally with only data on the server (a personal preference of mine in network program design). In discussions with Tinman, though, they agreed that this would be useful and stated that they will be modifying DAS_Reg to support that capability in the future. Very commendable.

Overall, DAS_Reg is a solid product that does the job with minimum of fuss and hassle on your part - exactly what you want from this type of tool.

Category	Product Score
Ability to do the task	Excellent
Ease of use	Excellent
Ease of Installation	Good
Documentation	Very Good
Technical Support	Very Good
Modifies Shipping Templates	No
Black-Box DLLs/LIBs	Yes

Vendor comments from Tinman Development Corp.

Planned Enhancements: - Allow developer to setup path information for reg file. This will allow the exe to run from the work station and data files to reside on a server. - Option to allow for one key to unlock everything. - Enhanced locking: This will be like a copy protection lite. - Allow messages and other texts to be translated into other languages.

Super Passcode/Limiter 4 - BoxSoft Development

Super Passcode and Super Limiter are actually two separate, though complementary, products from BoxSoft. Each lists for $149, so the pair together would be $298. They can be purchased through Mitten Software at 800-825-5461. Mitten also provides a 90-day money back guarantee. More information is available from either the BoxSoft web site at http://www.boxsoftdevelopment.com or from Mitten's site at http://www.mittensoftware.com.

Passcode handles the copy protection, trial version and other time limiting schemes, while Limiter is for controlling concurrent network access of a program. BoxSoft indicated, though, that they are planning to combine the products at a future date, so I have basically treated them here as a single product.

What is has: Branding, demo mode, expire dates (for trial mode and/or for licensing), copy protection (tied to hardware when installed), install protection. Network concurrency checking (provided by Super Limiter) has multiple options for managing active and inactive user sessions. Both support multi-DLL systems.

What it doesn't have: Run counters, record limiters, optional modules, serial/id number generation, ability to disable procedure access or controls in trial mode (as opposed to its demo mode), single key unlocks of multiple features.

Note: BoxSoft provides a template to disable controls based on Passcode's "demo" mode, but refers to it in the documentation exclusively for protecting configuration file information (so that the user can't change your default demo company name of, say, "Unregistered Demo Version"). I found, however, that it worked fine in other procedures and for main menu items as well. It does not work in the similar "trial" mode, though.

Installation

BoxSoft uses a standard Windows installer for all of their products. The installs are password protected, and you must manually specify your Clarion4 directory if it is other than C:\Clarion4. The final screen of the install reminds you to read the docs for instructions on editing your RED (redirection) file and registering the templates. The help file is automatically displayed after the installation completes so that you can immediately read up on what you need to do next.

The one quirk was that it insists on placing the C4 Clarion templates version in a CW20 directory (even if you don't have CW2.x installed). ABC templates are installed under Clarion4 as expected. Instructions are given for amending your Clarion4.RED (redirection) file to make it all work, but it is a bit of extra hassle and something to watch out for. This need to modify the RED file is true of most Super templates, though, and if you have already modified it for one BoxSoft product, chances are it won't need to be modified for new ones.

Implementation

BoxSoft provides good step-by-step instructions for adding their products to an application. In this case, I needed to add two files to my dictionary (one for Passcode information, the other to be used by Limiter to keep track of network users). I then added the usual global extensions (one for each template) and then set the global options.

For Passcode, you need to tell it which schemes you want to implement and so forth. Super Passcode provides six unlock types, each requiring a separate code: Three expiring date types (yearly, monthly, daily), a date reset (when there are problems with dates, i.e., potential tampering), upgrade (to switch from demo mode) and a permanent unlock. If you are going to use demo mode, you can also add an extension template to other procedures, which disables controls in that mode.

For Limiter, you specify the maximum number of users (either hard coded or as a variable from a config file), how long it will wait before bumping a user due to inactivity, how often the system updates itself and more. Setting the location of the file used to keep track of users is done either in the dictionary or via variables just like any other file.

Performance

All of the Passcode modes I tested worked well to protect the application. The notice and nag screens used by Super Passcode are very simple, just text and a button or two, so they shouldn't clash with your own application style.

Generating the passcodes is done by a simple one-screen utility called "ShowPass", which comes with Super Passcode. Basically, you enter the customer's machine code (a unique number generated by your program running on their machine) and a date, then the utility uses that number to calculate and display six passcodes (one for each of the functions listed above). You then give them the code appropriate to the situation (renewing for a year or upgrading from demo mode, for example). No customer information is captured, tracked, etc.

Super Limiter simply worked great - no hassles, no problems. It also provides you with a couple of methods to keep a user from being bumped due to inactivity during long processes. All in all, very thorough.

Documentation

Both template sets came with both printable documentation in Adobe Acrobat PDF format and standard Windows help files (thank you, BoxSoft!). They explained both the background theory of the templates, and listing the functions and templates themselves.

For Super Passcode, though, both sets of documentation seemed a bit out of date, as there were a few prompts on the templates that were not explained in either one. I'd also like to see a "How to" section that detailed the exact steps required to accomplish common tasks such as creating a full access 30-day trial, or crippling features in an open-ended demo. These would help the user get up and running in a shorter period of time.

One simple demo application is provided for Passcode. Limiter comes with two very useful demo programs which are designed to work together to test out various combinations of Limiter options, and to allow you test out your program without having to install it on a network. One program (called Watcher) is simply a browse of the current active user's database, while the other is very simple test app that simply logs into Limiter. Watcher lets you create other simulated users so that you can see what happens when you start your program and there are no more licenses available. You can also test your inactivity timeouts, etc. Very slick and very instructive!

Technical Support

Support is available both through Mitten Software (BoxSoft's distributor) and from BoxSoft themselves. I usually use email, and have found Mike Hanson, the author, to be unfailingly helpful.

Summary

Super Passcode is pretty basic compared to most of the other products in this round up. For the functions it does support, though, it performs them effectively.

Super Limiter, on the other hand, is a really nice concurrency control system, and it is the most flexible one of this round up. It was very easy to implement, worked great, and covered all the bases.

An added plus for both products is the BoxSoft policy of "no black boxes". In other words, everything is pure generated Clarion code, there for you to look at and, if desired, modify.

Category	Product Score
Ability to do the task	Passcode: Good Limiter: Excellent
Ease of use	Passcode: Good Limiter: Excellent
Ease of Installation	Good
Documentation	Good
Technical Support	Excellent
Modifies Shipping Templates	No
Black-Box DLLs/LIBs	No

Vendor comments from BoxSoft Development

As the reviewer mentioned, we will be wrapping SuperPasscode and SuperLimiter together into one product. At that time the combined priced will be $259. The combination of the two products will enable you to modify the SuperLimiter settings remotely, just as you can already modify SuperPasscode settings. The developer can add any number of procedure restrictions, control restrictions, record count restrictions, etc., dependant upon the user's passcode / trial status. The passcode / trial state can be determined via API functions and by directly accessing the passcode fields. There are not, at present, any templates to simplify their usage, but we will be improving this area (both in the templates and documentation) in the upcoming version.

SecWin v2.88 - CapeSoft

The full commercial package of SecWin from CapeSoft retails for $99, and is available direct from CapeSoft (email sales@capesoft.com) or through the TopSpeed Accessories program (800-354-5444). Demos can be downloaded from the CapeSoft web site at: http://www.capesoft.com

SecWin is unusual in this round up for a couple of reasons. First, it is a full-blown application security package, which also happens to include some copy protection and licensing capabilities. Second, the 16-bit version is free (love that price!). The release used for this round up, though, was the commercial 32-bit version.

Note: We will not be discussing SecWin's many security features here at all, except as they pertain to protection and licensing. (For a complete review of an earlier version of SecWin, see Volume 1, Issue 2 of Clarion Online.)

What it has: Branding, multiple levels (e.g. Demo, Lite, Standard, Pro, Enterprise), optional modules (up to 15 max), run counters, expire dates, single code activations, DLL support, developer ID. Access can be controlled for procedures or multiple controls within a procedure based on the current program mode. SecWin's network concurrency checking is also very strong, and includes functions for listing currently logged in users, etc.

What is doesn't have: Ability to arbitrarily set a Demo time limit via the templates (it is fixed at 30 days), automatic warnings of a pending expire, record limiting, ability to change the look of its messages (text can be changed, of course, and you can also set a default font which applies to all SecWin screens). Copy protection (i.e., tying to hardware) is minimal.

What's coming: SecWin is in beta for adding hardware key support (often called a dongle) using Sentinel Pro hardware from Rainbow Technologies.

Installation

A simple installer walks you through the process of installing the SecWin templates and support files. One thing it does which I like is to display the readme file for the product right up front so that you know what is going to happen during the install. It also tells you the name of the file that contains the documentation, and suggests printing it out (I concur). No modification of the Clarion4.RED file is required. As to improvements, well, it could display the doc file, find the Clarion4 directory automatically and register the templates (my usual wishes).

Implementation

SecWin is not quite as plug and play as some of the other products in this round up, but it is also designed from a fundamentally different perspective (that of a security system, not a protection tool). This means you will see more templates, more functions and a bigger manual, but you'll also find that most of that is related to the security portions of SecWin. Additionally, it is not necessary to implement security in order to use SecWin's protection and network concurrency features (it's there if you want it, but not required). In other words, no login screens, no user administration and so forth.

Implementing SecWin in my test application was straightforward. Following the instructions provided by CapeSoft, I added a global extension to the app and activated the licensing functions. I then added two procedure extensions to my main procedure, one to handle SecWin login (which I bypassed using the template options), and one to implement the licensing features I wanted to test (run counters, expiration dates, program modes, etc.).

For any procedure that needed special handling based on the program mode, I had to add another extension that took care of those details; e.g., refusing access in demo mode or enabling special features in 'Enterprise' mode. This is also where you can enable or disable individual controls, as in hiding the 'OK' button on a form in a demo.

Utilities are provided to create the file that contains your SecWin protection and licensing information, and which you ship with your app. You can also 'stamp' the file with an individual number known only to you, thus preventing anyone else with SecWin from compromising your system. Your programs will only work with security files created by you.

Performance

Like the other products reviewed here, SecWin did a good job in catching all of the common methods of circumventing its protections. Expired demos could not be faked out by date changes, etc., and after re-installing a demo it was still expired.

SecWin in action is very quiet about protecting your apps. There are no automatic nag or warning screens which pop up to tell the user about, for example, an impending demo expire date, nor do the templates provide options for that. When a run counter ran out, the app simply reverted to demo mode without a warning message. Templates are provided to help you create your own logo and/or nag screens to clue the user in, but that does require more effort on your part. The messages it does display to notify of problems or expirations are very simple, with nothing other than the message itself and an Ok button.

To create unlock codes, CapeSoft provides a combination demo/utility called Register. There is no documentation on how to use it, so I found myself stumbling around in it before I caught on to the way things HAD to be done. For example, if I had entered "CPTEST" in the template prompts when building the app, I had to enter it that way in Register when filling in the form for its application database. Entering "CPTest" (as I did at first) resulted in the generation of invalid activation codes, which my compiled application then rejected (doh!).

Note: SecWin does time limit its activation codes - they are only valid for 7 days from the date they are issued.

A cool touch - when information is entered on the SecWin registration form (both yours and the customers), it automatically generates and displays a checksum number next to the field. This makes it easy to catch situations where typos or mismatched case would result in the generation of an invalid unlock code. With SecWin, you just compare your number with the customers.

Documentation

SecWin includes a printable manual in Window Write format (yes!), but no online help file (sigh). The manual totals around 66 pages, and includes sections on Installation, the Templates, a Technical Reference for all SecWin functions and finally, a general User Guide which provides details on the terms and concepts used by SecWin.

Additionally, eight sample apps are provided, two of which relate to the protection and licensing features. An additional and very useful demo is available direct from CapeSoft, which details how to implement the SecWin licensing features without using security login screens, which is, of course, just what I wanted to do for this review.

They are planning to incorporate this demo in with the rest in the standard SecWin install, but couldn't say exactly when that will happen. Just ask them for LICENSE.ZIP if you acquire SecWin and don't see a demo directory for it.

Technical Support

For most of us, technical support from CapeSoft is via email (unless you live in South Africa, in which case there are phone and fax numbers, as well). For myself, they normally respond within 24 hours, with the delay being primarily caused by the time difference (I am in California). In my experience, they have never failed to answer a question thoroughly or fix a problem quickly.

Other Goodies

As mentioned above, SecWin is also a full-fledged security package for controlling user access to your application forms, fields and data. The Register app, while basic, could form the basis for a reasonable customer tracking system. Since you get the app and dictionary, you can customize or expand it any way you wish. If you already have a customer system, you can incorporate the generation of unlock codes into it by adding a call to one SecWin function.

Summary

SecWin is a powerful package at a good price (a fabulous price for 16-bit), but if all you need is to protect your applications, it may be more complicated than you need. I found that it wasn't quite as easy to implement as the other packages, but then, they don't include a complete security system, either. CapeSoft does a good job of providing step-by-step instructions on how to accomplish tasks, though, so it can probably be classified simply as more time consuming than difficult. I also like the way they implemented their network concurrency checking - it has virtually no impact on network performance and seems very adept at handling orphaned licenses without requiring user intervention.

To sum up: For protection alone, SecWin offers some compelling features and certainly deserves a look. If you need both security and protection at a reasonable price, this package is a hard one to beat.

Category	Product Score
Ability to do the task	Very Good
Ease of use	Very Good
Ease of Installation	Good
Documentation	Very Good
Technical Support	Very Good
Modifies Shipping Templates	No
Black-Box DLLs/LIBs	Yes

Vendor comments from CapeSoft

As often happens with reviews this, review is done a couple weeks before a major release. Such is the nature of the computer business. Items which Tom raised, and which have been improved, are the examples, documentation, and online help. In addition we have implemented (optional) 'one click' support for dongles.

Final Thoughts

So which of these products would I recommend? Like most choices in life, the answer is a great big "That depends". What's more important to you? Price? Ease of use? Number of options? Power? A specific need, such as network concurrency?

Basically, they all do what they say they do and perform their functions well. If price is your primary concern and you only do 16-bit programs, well, SecWin is the obvious choice since it is free. If you need security and protection on a limited budget and don't mind applying a bit more effort, take the time to look at the commercial version of SecWin. Take a look at it even if you don't need security (yet). If you need support for hardware protection (dongles), SecWin is your tool.

If you want all the bells and whistles including network concurrency in a single system dedicated to protection, check into the easy to use and very solid DAS_Registration. G-Reg Plus is simply a beautiful piece of work at a very fair price. If you don't mind pairing up products, G-Reg and Super Limiter could be a killer combination.

All in all, this is one area where we Clarion users are fortunate to have so many good options. As I said at the start, my best recommendation would be to take what you have learned here and check out each of the products yourself.

The absolute bottom line? If you create commercial software and aren't using one of these products, you can virtually guarantee that you are losing money that is rightfully yours.

Pick one. Buy it. Use it. Get PAID for every copy of your software out there!

Who can argue with that?

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Clarion Magazine ISSN 1718-9942