LISP file protection

[sinclair]

I am looking for ideas on protecting lisp files that are developed in house from being copied and used outside of my office. The commercial protection programs I have seen appear to be used on exe and dll file types. Would love some help from some of you CAD GURU'S out there.

Thanks,

Dan

[rkmcswain]

Compile your .LSP code to FAS or VLX format. This will prevent the source code from being copied. "How to" is documented in the Developers Guide

As far as preventing it's use outside your office, you could have the code check for a certain AutoCAD serial number, or maybe check for the existance of a certain file on your network. There are probably many other ideas out there also.

One thing is for sure, if you compile your lisp code to FAS or VLX format, don't lose the source code. See http://rkmcswain.blogspot.com/2005/1...fas-files.html for some more info.

See also: http://discussion.autodesk.com/searc...x=0&search.y=0

One last tip, code "compiled" with the old "protect.exe" program is easily "unencrypted" back to raw lisp code.

[Mike.Perry]

Hi Dan

Please note I have *moved* this thread from the CAD Mgmt. General forum to this one, as I believe it will be better served here.

Thanks, Mike

Forum Manager

[sinclair]

Thanks RK!

I will try to digest all of that info and come up with specific questions. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and time!

Dan

[lmitsou]

R.K. gave you the best solution to your "problem".

However, as an alternative, there is a program (it is not AutoCAD add-on) which locks and encrypts files and folders. We have been using it in my company and we are quite happy with it. If you like you can give it a try. Maybe it will work for you too.

http://www.newsoftwares.net/folderlock/


Thanks,

[sinclair]

lmitsou,

Thanks for the response, I don't think the program will work for this particular application because I need my employees to be able to access the files I am trying to protect, however it looked interesting for other file types that I may want to hide or lock.

Thanks Again!

Dan

[dmarx]

But why is it that much of a concern? I mean, its only a lisp. And wouldn't someone in-house have to distribute the lisp outside for there to be a issue?



I work for a small firm, so alot of times i dont understand some issues big firms have..

[peter]

I would suggest a security mechanism like...

Create a toolbox of critical functions used in all of your programs.

Keep the file secure.

Compile the functions into a vlx file.

Inside the toolbox functions include a line of code that reads a key file or files on your server.

Maybe read a registry entry might make it more secure.

If it finds it and it has the right password in the file the function would run...

Otherwise it won't work, or will prompt for a password.

That way your lisp routines will work, but only on your network. Off site they wouldn't work.

I have done something similar to that at my work. shhhhh...

Peter

[cadd4la]

Hi everyone,

Can anybody share (i.e examples) on how the code and the exterior file (i.e. .xls, .doc, etc..) looks to do this?

Thanks,

Kyle C.

[aaronic_abacus]

How about PROTECT.EXE(attached)?
I use it with a batch file to encrypt a group of autolisp files.